Boann Social Impact: Investing in Positive Change for Indigenous Communities

Boann Social Impact LP, in partnership with the Government of Canada's Social Finance Fund (SFF), has made its inaugural investment in the Raven Indigenous Outcomes Fund (RIOF). This groundbreaking investment showcases the SFF's potential to support initiatives that generate positive outcomes for communities and the environment.

The Raven Indigenous Outcomes Fund is a pioneering C$50M fund that utilizes outcomes-based financing instruments to address critical issues in Indigenous communities. The fund focuses on two key areas: health and climate. In the health sector, the Minoayawin initiative strives to reduce the prevalence of T2 diabetes in Indigenous communities through a holistic approach that combines Indigenous knowledge systems with Western methods. In the climate sector, the fund aims to advance the net-zero transition for on-reserve housing by promoting electrification, climate-conscious retrofits, energy efficiencies, GHG emission reductions, and localized training and employment opportunities. The Raven Indigenous Outcomes Fund is part of Raven Indigenous Capital Partners, the first Indigenous-focused private equity firm in Canada and the United States. With its targeted first close in December 2023, this fund seeks to promote economic reconciliation and implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).

Boann Social Impact's investment in the Raven Indigenous Outcomes Fund marks its commitment to advancing social finance in Canada. The fund was chosen by Boann's Investment Committee, an independent body responsible for investment decisions. This investment underscores Boann's dedication to fostering positive change and developing a robust social finance sector in Canada, demonstrating what impact-oriented investing can achieve.

As Jeff Cyr, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Raven Capital Partners, aptly points out, this investment aligns public, private, and philanthropic capital at a unique nexus, working towards self-determined services and improving the lives of countless individuals and communities. Cyr encourages investors to seize this exceptional opportunity to make a real difference.

Derek Ballantyne, CEO of Boann Social Impact, expresses excitement about these initial investments, highlighting the organization's commitment to funding initiatives that promote social good, sustainability, and equity for deserving communities. Boann looks forward to supporting a diverse portfolio of funds that contribute to building a better Canada.

The Minister of Families, Children, and Social Development, Jenna Sudds, emphasizes the vital role social purpose organizations play in addressing societal and environmental challenges. As part of the reconciliation process, the government will continue collaborating closely with Indigenous partners to provide essential programs and services that improve quality of life and support the growth of healthy, thriving Indigenous communities and families. Boann Social Impact's investments, as one of the fund's investment managers, are just the beginning of a series of initiatives that aim to create a more inclusive and equitable economy for all Canadians.

Boann Social Impact LP, created as a partnership between the Government of Canada's Social Finance Fund and Encasa Impact, has allocated $135 million over five years to support purpose-driven intermediaries and enterprises across Canada. Boann aims to contribute to the growth and development of Canada's social finance market, enabling organizations in the charitable, non-profit, social enterprise, and co-operative sectors to access flexible financing opportunities.

The Government of Canada's Social Finance Fund (SFF) is a groundbreaking $755 million initiative designed to accelerate the growth of Canada's social finance market. The SFF provides crucial support to charities, non-profits, social enterprises, co-operatives, and other social purpose organizations (SPOs), enabling them to access flexible financing options. By enhancing access to social finance, the SFF empowers these organizations to expand, innovate, and maximize their social and environmental impacts. The SFF is managed by three investment managers: Boann Social Impact, Fonds de finance sociale - CAP Finance, and Realize Capital Partners.

Boann Social Impact's investment in the Raven Indigenous Outcomes Fund represents a significant step towards creating positive change and driving economic reconciliation in Indigenous communities. With its focus on outcomes-based financing and its commitment to indigenous knowledge systems and UNDRIP, the Raven Indigenous Outcomes Fund is poised to make a lasting impact on the well-being and future of Indigenous peoples. Boann Social Impact's pioneering investment demonstrates the power of social finance to effect meaningful change and lays the groundwork for a more inclusive and equitable Canada.