Investments
As a global social enterprise, we seek to reimagine what stewardship and fiduciary duty mean for a mission-driven organization. WES engages a total enterprise approach to achieve our mission and effect broader systems change.
We believe that stewardship of a mission-driven organization must reflect both financial and mission objectives. We are committed to a 100 percent mission-aligned investment portfolio, leveraging our full asset base to ensure WES’ financial sustainability, organizational growth, and achievement of impact goals. As WES rotates its full investment portfolio for impact, we will activate the full spectrum of capital, utilizing five investing approaches.
At WES, we define our impact as threefold:
To ensure greater accountability of our investments and demonstrate our mission-aligned approach to the field, we strive for transparency in our policies and portfolio. Our Investment Policy Statement describes our mission-aligned investment commitment.
We also integrate the principles of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Belonging, and Justice (DEIBJ) and trust-based investing practices across whom we invest in, what we invest in, and how we invest.
Insights
Transforming Workplaces: How the Apis & Heritage Finance Fellowship is Fostering Employee Ownership
WES Advisor |
In the face of a $8.4 trillion racial wealth gap in the United States, solutions aimed at fostering economic equity are not only crucial, they serve as beacons of hope for tangible change. Apis and Heritage Capital Partners (A&H), a Black-led impact investment firm founded in 2021, is addressing the racial wealth gap by […]
WES Announces New Investment in 8B Education Investments
WES Advisor |
World Education Services (WES) today announced an investment in 8B Education Investments, a social fintech company specializing in supporting African students to attend global universities. 8B facilitates fair student loan financing and support services. WES’ catalytic investment will help 8B unlock additional student loan capital from its banking partners to bring education finance to African students at scale. […]
The Who, What, and Why of Investing in Newcomers
WES |
By Matthias Pries, Impact Investing Manager Migration is the loom that weaves the rich tapestry that is Canadian society. Walk down the main street of any Canadian city and you can see, smell, and hear it. Working at World Education Services (WES) has given me a chance to strengthen this tapestry. How? By investing in […]
Building an Ownership Movement to Close Racial Wealth Gaps
Smitha Das & Santhosh Ramdoss |
Ownership is a key driver of wealth creation, yet many individuals and communities lack access to these opportunities. This ImpactAlpha article, co-authored by Smitha Das, Senior Director of Investments, WES, and Santhosh Ramdoss, President & CEO, Gary Community Ventures, explores emerging investment strategies, such as employee ownership, homeownership, and community wealth building. These approaches have […]
Six trust-based practices to help investors shift power to communities
Smitha Das |
Advancing equity and impact requires rethinking how we invest. In this ImpactAlpha article, Smitha Das, WES’ Senior Director of Investments, shares six trust-based investment practices that shift power to investee partners and communities. From redefining risk to leveraging participatory investment models, these practices help create a more equitable and just economy.
Fund Announces First Impact Investments to Support the Success of Immigrant and Refugee Workers
NEW YORK — (Dec. 15, 2020) — The WES Mariam Assefa Fund today announced impact investments of $750,000 to ensure that immigrants and refugees in the United States have access to the tools and capital they need to acquire digital and other job-related skills, establish credit, increase their earning potential, and start businesses of their […]
Connect with Us:
We are excited to meet innovators, organizations, and fellow travelers who are committed to advancing shared priorities and collective impact. If you’d like to learn more or explore partnership opportunities with us, please contact the Investments team.