Calvert Foundation Launches 'Global Impact Ventures' Platform to Allow Donor Advised Funds to Start Making a Difference Even While Funds Await Distribution BETHESDA, Md., Nov. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- In the current market downturn, individuals seeking to squeeze the most impact from their shrinking philanthropic assets have an important new alternative to explore in Calvert Giving Fund's "Global Impact Ventures" platform, offered by Calvert Social Investment Foundation (Calvert Foundation). With the launch of this unique platform, Calvert Foundation is making available a way to "put to work" philanthropic assets awaiting grant making in Donor Advised Funds (DAF) so that the assets create positive change throughout the world. This means that if a donor advisor distributes the typical 5 percent or more of DAF assets in a given year, the other 95 percent of the assets can be invested in a way that achieves high social impact. Tim Freundlich, director, Strategic Initiatives, Calvert Foundation, said: "Calvert Giving Fund offers philanthropists a unique platform where every donated dollar can help communities before the funds are eventually granted to nonprofits. In response to the current market and dramatic increase in the need for charitable services globally, Calvert Giving Fund helps philanthropists maximize impact and stretch every philanthropic dollar." Calvert Foundation allows DAF investors to access the industry leader Calvert Group's sustainable and responsible mutual funds, including the newest additions of the Calvert Global Alternative Energy Fund (Ticker: CGAEX) and the Calvert Global Water Fund (Ticker: CFWAX). In addition to mutual funds, Calvert Giving Fund offers Calvert Foundation's Community Investment Note, which allows investors to support affordable housing, microfinance, and social enterprises. To these offerings, Calvert Foundation has now added a new range of cutting-edge social purpose private debt and equity funds, including: -- Acumen Capital Markets I - international social venture fund targeting solutions for the four billion people living on less than $4 a day; -- MicroVest Equity Fund II - supplying equity capital to international microcredit banks working with the entrepreneurial poor; -- LeapFrog Investments - going beyond microcredit, to offer health and life "micro insurance" to the world's disadvantaged populations; -- Public Radio Fund - expanding delivery of noncommercial radio in the U.S.; and -- Root Capital - financing grassroots Fair Trade cooperatives in the developing world. Calvert Giving Fund's "Global Impact Ventures" platform provides every donor advised fund access to an unprecedented range of flexible social purpose investments. By investing philanthropic assets awaiting grant making and using an investment strategy focused on positive social and environmental outcomes, philanthropists magnify the charitable impact achieved with their donated funds. Assets are invested, and generate measurable financial and social returns back to the DAF - even if it will be years before they are distributed to the nonprofits that are the ultimate recipients. More investment opportunities will be added over time, and donor advised funds can select options one-by-one or use the platform to create a "fund of funds" model. The platform breaks down barriers for participation, allowing DAFs to access funds at much smaller minimums of $25,000 per venture fund (typically $100,000+), without the paperwork and headache normally associated with this type of investing. Freundlich added: "Calvert Giving Fund's strategy to utilize philanthropic dollars for social change prior to granting is even more relevant in the current financial climate. Our platform brings a commitment to full integration of sustainability and accountability, not just shareholder profit maximization. We are connecting our donor advisors with some of the best social venture funds that are, literally, the remedy to what is ailing our markets." Calvert Giving Fund is an industry leading donor advised fund platform. Donors can establish a DAF for as little as $5,000 and Calvert Giving Fund accepts a variety of assets as contributions, including real estate. Donors are offered the ability to make grants to 501(c)(3)s, approved international organizations, most schools and churches. Calvert Giving Fund enables individuals to become better philanthropists through socially responsible investing, without the challenges and costs of setting up a private foundation. About Calvert Foundation For over 13 years, Calvert Foundation, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, has been working to make community investment a safe and logical option for all investors seeking to make a positive social impact. To make community investment accessible to a wider audience, Calvert Foundation has removed critical barriers by creating investment products that blend both financial and social returns. With more than $200 million in assets, Calvert Foundation focuses on using investment capital, rather than conventional philanthropy, to create a sustainable, scalable model that enables nonprofit organizations, microfinance institutions and social enterprises to address critical social problems. Calvert Giving Fund participates in a growing trend toward the integration of social, environmental and governance issues into donor advised fund management. More information is available at http://www.calvertfoundation.org/ and http://www.calvertgiving.org/. DATASOURCE: Calvert Foundation, Bethesda, MD CONTACT: Patrick Mitchell, +1-703-276-3266, , for Calvert Foundation, Bethesda, MD Web Site: http://www.calvertfoundation.org/

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