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Credit Suisse White Paper Explores Entrepreneurial Potential In Philanthropy
Wendy Connett
6 January 2011
A new
white paper penned by
Credit Suisse and CSR Asia explores the potential that
exists for strategic philanthropists in stimulating entrepreneurship and small
business development in developing countries. Entitled,
"Strategic Philanthropy: Unlocking Entrepreneurial Potential," the
paper outlines how ultra-high net worth individuals can make philanthropic
activities more strategic and sustainable by engaging in social entrepreneurship
and small business development and how philanthropists can use their wealth and
skills to support emerging markets. It demonstrates with case studies how
UHNWIs have been successful at pursuing their philanthropic endeavors. Strategic
philanthropists are in a unique position to support entrepreneurial development,
the white paper maintains. “Support can be aimed at providing access to
affordable capital; bringing business knowledge and experience; to engage
marginalized groups in entrepreneurial opportunities and in the stimulation of
entrepreneurial education at all levels.” The
white paper describes venture philanthropy as a promising tool to support
enterprise solutions while generating both financial returns and social or
environmental returns. “Venture
philanthropy investments have a proven track record of nurturing profitable
businesses, with measurable effects on poverty reduction and other social and
environmental challenges.” The
paper also describes the impact value chain and impact measurement tools that
help to identify positive and negative changes in the community resulting from
investments.