"Impact Investing": Theory, Meet Practice

Author(s): Mark Pinsky, Opportunity Finance Network

The loud buzz of excitement about Impact Investing is cause for concern, but not only because the enthusiasm is ahead of the practice. The practice of so-called “impact investing” lacks clarity of purpose, definition, and results. The often-referenced J.P. Morgan research report, Impact Investments: An Emerging Asset Class, suggests that the potential market for “impact investing” is “vast.” I disagree.