Confluence Philanthropy

Reflections on the 15th Annual Confluence Philanthropy Gathering The conversations tackled some of the most pressing issues of our time—AI, gender investing, the role of diversity, food systems, and, of course,?resilience. A recurring theme throughout the gathering was the?power of language. Words shape movements. They can inspire action or reinforce despair. The challenge is to?match our language to the moment—practical, urgent, and full of possibility. Sonen's Founding Partner, Raul Pomares captured this spirit in his remarks, reflecting on how far the impact investment ecosystem has come—and how much further it needs to go. “It feels like 1990s again,” he said, reminding participants that the work ahead requires the same three things the industry needed decades ago at its beginning:?education, discipline, and courage. 1.?? Education to empower asset owners.? 2.??Discipline in the words we choose and the investments we make.? 3.??And courage—the courage to reclaim ownership of capital, to resist despair, and to continue to push for real economic and social impact. The takeaway??We can’t afford black box thinking.?Collaboration, transparency, and action define this field. This year’s Confluence wasn’t just another gathering. It was a call to move forward—together. Read the whole post here: https://lnkd.in/gezZfy8a #impactinvesting

We’re excited to welcome Judy Belk and Holden Lee to Sonen Capital’s Board of Directors. Judy Belk brings extensive executive experience in philanthropy and corporate management. As the former President and CEO of The California Wellness Foundation, one of the largest philanthropic organizations in California, she championed health and equity in underserved communities. Under her leadership, the foundation launched a mission-related investing strategy to leverage its $1 billion endowment for social impact. Holden Lee brings deep expertise in mission-driven investment strategies and investment management. He is a Social Impact Fellow at the Center for Social Sector Leadership at Berkeley Haas currently, and he has spent the past decade as Chief Investment Officer and Chief Financial Officer for organizations dedicated to mobilizing capital in industries with strong opportunities for investment and impact. Both are visionary leaders?and experts?in philanthropy and impact investing, and their insights and contributions will be instrumental in driving Sonen Capital’s next phase of strategic growth while helping solve the pressing challenges of our time. See their full bios here: https://lnkd.in/gjkvCkMy Read the full press release here: https://lnkd.in/gUQyC5qG

"Whether working to protect our planet, empower historically marginalized communities, or build a more inclusive, equitable economy, impact investors and philanthropists need to remember that scale is not a magic trick." Debra Schwartz, Managing Director, Impact Investments, discusses how long-lasting solutions require flexible, tailored, and durable investment approaches. Read her Perspective ?? https://lnkd.in/gKhtjWQr

In the coming year, as more foundations and donor advised fund holders consider their grantmaking and, increasingly, their investment strategy, critical questions about Purpose, Payout, and Perpetuity are inevitable.?For more on the important topic of foundation and DAF spend-out and pay-out practices, see this recent blog post that I authored as part of a timely series by Confluence Philanthropy