From Philanthropy to Private Equity: Seeing the Spectrum of Capital at Work in Kenya
Current 24 - Insights
Greetings from Kenya! The last week has been an eye-opening reminder of the immense potential—and necessity—of thoughtfully utilizing the entire spectrum of capital to build the world we aspire to live in.
Initially, my trip was centered around the impactful work of World Vision’s philanthropic initiative, Big Dream to End Child Marriage. Experiencing their powerful commitment firsthand was incredibly moving and a reminder of philanthropy’s irreplaceable role in addressing urgent social issues.
But alongside this philanthropic work, I also had the privilege to witness another form of powerful change in action: impact investments made by Align Impact clients.
Private Equity in Action: d.light Transforming Lives
In some of the most remote communities in Kenya, I saw the remarkable effects of d.light—solar-powered lights and energy systems transforming daily life. Align clients invested in d.light through Inspired Evolution, a private equity and real assets fund (the fund is closed and this is not an investment recommendation!). These seemingly simple solar solutions mean children can safely study after sunset, families can gather comfortably in the evenings, and communities no longer live constrained by darkness. Seeing these tangible improvements was a powerful reminder of how private equity can commercialize real-world impact beyond financial returns.
Catalytic Debt Creating Resilience: ACCT
At the end of the trip, I splurged on my first safari—an unforgettable experience enriched further by conversations with operators supported by catalytic loans from the African Conservation and Communities Fund (ACCT). Align clients invested in ACCT during the peak of the Covid pandemic, providing low-interest loans that were vital lifelines for tourism businesses. These businesses are not only economic pillars but critical to conservation efforts and job creation across Sub-Sahara Africa.
Seeing the Spectrum in Action
My time in the field reinforced a core insight we embrace at Align Impact: creating meaningful, lasting change requires thoughtfully deploying diverse types of capital—philanthropic grants, catalytic debt, private equity investments, and more.
When clients align their resources thoughtfully across this spectrum, they become active participants in shaping a more equitable, sustainable, and resilient world (and can build a diversified portfolio simultaneously!). At Align, we're committed to helping our clients move beyond simply growing wealth, toward genuinely influencing the kind of future we collectively envision—a future that serves both people and planet with equal respect and care.
____________________________________________________
DISCLOSURE: The information presented in this post is the opinion of author and does not reflect the view of any other person or entity. The information provided is believed to be from reliable sources, but no liability is accepted for any inaccuracies. This post is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as an investment recommendation. Past performance is no guarantee of future performance. Align Impact is an investment adviser registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Registration as an investment adviser does not constitute an endorsement by the SEC, nor does it imply any level of skill or training.
