Media Development Investment Fund has been selected for the ImpactAssets 50 2014 (IA 50), a free, online resource for impact investors and their advisors, for the fourth consecutive year. The IA 50, now also in its fourth year, is the first publicly available database of private debt and equity impact investment fund managers.
“We are honoured to have been selected for the IA 50 for the fourth straight year,” said Harlan Mandel, CEO of MDIF. “Recognition as one of only 50 featured impact investment funds is important in highlighting the financial and the social impact of investing in independent news businesses in countries where access to free and independent media is under threat.”
MDIF provides debt and equity financing, supported by technical assistance, to independent media providing the news, information and debate that people need to build free, thriving societies. Since inception in 1995, it has provided more than $130 million in financing in 36 emerging and frontier markets and has a current portfolio of $47 million.
The ImpactAssets 50 is the only free, public, searchable database of outstanding impact investing fund managers. It includes a range of funds across the globe, spanning diverse issue areas and investment, with demonstrated and compelling social and environmental impact. Fund managers included in the IA 50 2014 manage a combined $15.5 billion in assets devoted to creating measurable, positive impact.
The IA 50 selection committee is chaired by ImpactAssets’ Chief Impact Strategist, Jed Emerson, and includes experts from The CAPROCK Group, Labrador Ventures, Toniic, UBS, and other leading impact investors.
ImpactAssets is a nonprofit financial services firm that increases the flow of capital into investments that deliver financial, social, and environmental returns. More information can be found on its website.
Here’s how Private Wealth reported the announcement, highlighting MDIF’s inclusion in the list.