Abstract
In recent years, international non-governmental organizations, traditionally known for implementing donor-funded programs for social and environmental impact around the world, have begun to make a distinctive imprint on the impact investing ecosystem. By leveraging assets unique among other stakeholders in impact investing, INGOs add value that differentiates them from other investors and intermediaries.
INGOs’ main strengths lie in their understanding of local context and operating realities in emerging markets, global footprint, ability to leverage grant or concessionary funding, grassroots connections with potential customers, and long-standing commitment to impact first. Much of this remains unchanged from the value proposition laid out in the 2016 report, except that there are now more proof points of what this value looks like when put into practice, many of which will
be explored through the chapters and case studies scattered throughout this report.
