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15 countries, other states use social impact bonds, too

Kristen Jordan Shamus

December 13, 2016 |

Detroit Free Press |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United Kingdom, Peterborough

A project launched in the United Kingdom uses social-impact bonds to reduce recidivism among prisoners, bringing together public and private resources to implement more effective and cost efficient social programs. Their success is inspiring other countries to follow suit.

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To fight poverty in Africa, a new-old solution: cash handouts

Ryan Lenora Brown

December 11, 2016 |

The Christian Science Monitor |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Lesotho, Maseru

The approach of giving cash straight to poor people - rather than funneling goods or services indirectly through the slow, diluted, and complex systems of charities or governments - is nothing new, but evidence of long-term success and sustainability are few. That's why many NGOs and governments are now coupling cash transfers with more comprehensive programs such as job training and financial counseling, as well as addressing some of the root causes that keep people poor, like lack of infrastructure and market access.

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No Resolution in Sight for International Climate Finance

Emily Wier

December 05, 2016 |

Clean Energy Finance Forum |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, New York, New York

Climate financing, determining which nations pay and which nations receive, is a challenge for the United Nations. The World Bank created a Pilot Auction Fund, which competitively allocates credit in an online auction, using the returns to fund projects that reduce emissions.

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Big Bet Philanthropy: How More Givers Are Spending Big And Taking Risks To Solve Society's Problems

Kerry A. Dolan

November 30, 2016 |

Forbes |

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Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, San Francisco, California

For the superrich and the biggest U.S. charitable foundations, donating to universities, hospitals and cultural institutions is the norm. Less common are donations targeted at "social change" such as alleviating poverty or tackling global warming - but that is beginning to change. An in-depth study from the Bridgespan Group is showing how big bets in philanthropy are paying off, as well as what factors - such as a close donor-recipient relationship - are key to success.

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Small-Scale Manufacturers See New Markets Tax Credits as Future Hope

Johnny Magdaleno

November 30, 2016 |

Next City |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Baltimore, Maryland

As major manufacturers keep "pulling the rug" from under urban areas, low skilled job loss increases. Nevertheless, small-scale businesses have instrumental in their ability to counteract job loss in improvised urban areas. Small businesses are using tactics such as creative tax cut regulation to cut corners to pay livable wages to low-income workers.

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An Innovative Casino Scheme Helps Re-Build a Troubled Industrial City

James Fallows

September 11, 2016 |

The Atlantic |

Multi-Media |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Erie, Pennsylvania

Erie, Pennsylvania transforms standard casino revenue into community development funds to jumpstart the city's urban and economic planning. An innovative initiative sets aside a percentage of revenue for city-wide development programs including a tech-startup initiative and youth summer jobs program.

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How to feed the masses in small-town America

Leah Todd Lin

September 05, 2016 |

High Country News |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Walsh, Colorado

When the only local grocery store in tiny Walsh, Colorado, shut down, the 600 residents of the town chipped in to re-open the store, combining community financing with traditional business savvy to keep the community institution afloat. Walch's grocery and other rural grocery stores with similar models have overcome the struggle of competition from national dollar stores with the community investment approach, leveraging close local ties to maintain support and funding.

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New federal rules are aiming to crush payday lenders. But is it enough?

Anne Kim

June 10, 2016 |

Washington Monthly |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio

Earlier this month, the federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) proposed new rules to regulate payday lending – the business of offering high-cost short-term loans to Americans on terms that many consumer advocates consider predatory.

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Can cutting down trees protect New Mexico's water?

Leah Todd Lin

May 26, 2016 |

High Country News |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Albuquerque, New Mexico

New Mexico adapts an innovative forestry idea from Quito, Ecuador, to prevent unpredictable and untamable forest fires. The application of this idea, called the Rio Grande Water Fund, raises money around the Rio Grande valley to pay for the thinning of overgrown forests on private and public lands. When trees are thinned out in dense areas, it's more difficult for fires to jump from the ground to the tree tops, which inhibits the rapid spreading of flames we've seen in recent years.

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The Solar Company Making a Profit on Poor Africans

Stephan Faris

December 02, 2015 |

Bloomberg |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Kenya

Since its commercial launch in 2012, M-Kopa has grown to exceed expectations for its revenue--now making more than $12 million a year. The company does this all while expanding access to affordable technology to the poorest rural population in Kenya, as well as providing them with credit and promoting green practices.

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