Net Impact 2020 Impact Report

IMPACT REPORT FOR 2020

NET IMPACT IS DRIVEN TO HASTEN CHANGE FOR THE BETTER Our mission is to inspire, equip, and activate emerging leaders to build a more just and sustainable world.

LETTER FROM CEO While many will look back on 2020 and remember the

2020 was also a time for reflection, growth, and

incredible hardships we faced as a world, it is important to

evolution. As a non-profit, we do not take an organizational

also leave space to remember all we accomplished in

position on purely political matters. While we will never take

furthering our collective objectives and deepened mission

a stance on matters of Right versus Left, we are steadfast in

to drive a more just and sustainable planet. Our global

the view that we must have a position on matters of Right

network didn’t shy away from continuing to tackle the

versus Wrong. Net Impact released a statement on

world’s most pressing issues, but instead, discovered

anti-racism and reaffirmed our commitment to serving our

new ways to connect and adapt in our collective work.

BIPOC members and extended community, amplifying their voices with more intention, and to continue the work

Together, we ‘ReimagǞȁed Capitalism’ bringing voices from

toward racial equity, including the launch of the Net Impact

multiple sectors into conversation with our Network

Black Professional Chapter. For the first time, Net Impact

through regular events in the form of a digital learning

conceived and executed a GOTV initiative in partnership

journey. Our Chapter Network continued to engage,

with RFK Human Rights and Up to Us, that not only

educate, and inspire their local communities through more

emphasized the importance of being civically engaged but

than 3,000 events and projects. Chapters found new ways to

provided tools and resources for audiences to be more

connect members, build relationships between chapters,

educated voters and stay engaged post-election.

make a change in their community, and be a force for good in the world. Net Impact launched programs ranging from

Physical distancing didn't (and doesn't) dampen social

digital conversations on how racial equity and impact

longing, finding your people, and activating to make a

investing together can drive change to challenges posing

difference in driving more equitable outcomes for all people

questions such as “how might we increase the access

and the planet. Net Impact, our staff, global members, and

female smallholder farmers have to education, resources,

corporate and institutional partners, proved throughout

and markets” and more. In place of our annual live

2020, that despite the appearance of insurmountable

conference, Net Impact invested in bringing more virtual

challenges, ours is a strong affinity Network. And for that,

events to life including hosting a ‘Net Impact Day’ at SOCAP

we are proud and grateful.

(the largest gathering of impact investors and social entrepreneurs) bringing our unique perspective and

We hope to see you all in person again soon, but in the

Network to bear on topics related to business and the

meantime, be well and keep on pushing. Fight the good

capital markets as a force for good, amplifying the voices of

fight.

our next-gen leaders along the way.

Peter M. Lupoff CEO, Net Impact

Net Impact’s work centers around key environmental and social focus areas aimed at creating lasting impact

LEADERSHIP

CIRCULARITY:

RESPONSIBLE PRODUCTION & CONSUMPTION

CIVIC ENGAGEMENT

SOCIAL CAPITAL & IMPACT INVESTING

JUSTICE, DIVERSITY, EQUITY, & INCLUSION

ENVIRONMENT & CLIMATE CHANGE

TACKLING BIG ISSUES & TOUGH CONVERSATIONS Our 2020 theme 'Reimagining Capitalism' explored deeper into the shifting and refined role business can play as a force of good

2020 demanded that we renew and hasten our commitment to being anti-racist and work to amplify and support BIPOC voices, both in our community and at large.

Featuring 15+ thought leaders and visionaries from various fields of work, our network was invited to join series-connected conversations.

Together, thousands in the Net Impact community , explored difficult questions, challenged our assumptions, discovered our blind spots, and set out to unlearn, deconstruct, pause, reset, and re-imagined.

In October 2020, a month after Net Impact issued our statement on anti-racism, we announced the launch of the Black Professionals Chapter.

Founded by 13 members spanning industries and roles, The NIBPC will catalyze increased value and orts to fulfill our alignm commitments to amplify the voices of BIPOC and make decisions that promote greater equity and inclusion across Net Impact.

(Xß0ª²0 y( (0À0ªwXy0( I ª!0 I ª J ( The Net Impact Chapter Community

To make real, lasting impact in the world, we need to create a new wave of leaders who want to make a positive difference, know how to do it, and have the right community behind them.�

Deena M., Net Impact Berkeley Chapter With chapters in more than 40 countries, our global community members put their passion into action starting in their formative undergraduate years and carry that through into the workplace. Their local actions create ripples that reach tens of thousands of individuals and make an impact on some of the most pressing issues of our time.

435+

3,000+

500+

Chapters worldwide, 98% of top MBA programs have a Net Impact Chapter

Chapter Events and Projects hosted or completed

Chapter Leaders attended one or more Net Impact digital events

In 2020, events and projects might have looked different, but the intention and impact of our local Chapters have remained the same.

To enhance the interconnectivity of our global network, Net Impact created new curated experiences for Chapter Leaders and members, such as Chapter Leadership Summits and the CL Slack community, which served as a foundation for increased learning, networking, and deepened commitment of the Net Impact mission.

INSPIRE. EQUIP. ACTIVATE. Since 2002, Net Impact has served as a nexus for corporations, academic institutions, and foundations to connect with our network of students and professionals around shared social and sustainability goals.

Our 100,000+ members, representing 435+ global chapters, have tackled some of the most pressing issues of our time with real-world solutions, deliberative dialogues, events, and more. In 2020, we achieved milestones such as:

100+ solutions, action plans, and ventures were created by participants

100,000+ people engaged in our 2020 programs, live and digitally

90% of participants were inspired to take further action based on experience

92% of participants said their experience expanded their knowledge

#VOTEREADY Net Impact civic leaders and innovators blazed a new trail for what it means to be engaged in 2020

For the first time in history, Net Impact engaged in a US election cycle. In partnership with Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights, Net Impact, and Up to Us leaders took center stage to inspire our network to become civically engaged in 2020.

Across two curated events, attendees were inspired by Net Impact and Up to Us (the largest and longest-running Net Impact program!) leaders like Evan Malbrough who graduated from college this spring and worked to recruit 5,000 youth poll workers in Georgia.

“This election couldn't be more important. Learning about ways we can be involved, educated, and make an impact, despite our busy lives, as civic engagement leaders is critical.

Hearing from my peers who are doing incredible things and gaining tools and resources to make my own impact was inspiring.�

Katelyn Sethi

FOOD SOLUTIONS CHALLENGE

Improving the livelihood of female smallholder farmers to feed a growing population

For the fourth straight year, Net Impact released the Food Solutions Challenge, in partnership with Bayer. The 2020 challenge encouraged participants to consider the complexities of how to feed a growing population with minimal environmental impact. Net Impact attracted aspiring social entrepreneurs and equipped them to develop innovative, impactful, and feasible solutions to the challenge prompt: “How might we better enable female smallholder farmers to have access to the resources, agricultural know-how, and markets that will improve their livelihoods?�

Over 1,250 students and young professionals participated in 54 chapter-led events worldwide, generating 60+ submissions to the challenge.

90%

85%

4 out of 5

of participants report that they have a deeper understanding of issues related to climate change and feeding a growing population.

of participants report that by attending a Food Solutions event, they are more equipped to create solutions to better enable female smallholder farmers.

finalist teams reported the Accelerator was a catalyst to verify the validity of their solution, refine their pitch, and empowered them to continue their ventures to address these issues and the SDGs that they touch

IN GOOD COMPANY

Forward-thinking companies from across sectors partner with Net Impact to foster meaningful dialogue and help solve real-world sustainability challenges with next-generation leaders.

To learn more about Net Impact and how you can partner with us in 2021, contact development@netimpact.org.