|Research, Writing and Media|

As leaders in the field, we conduct our own research and writing to contribute our thoughts to the SROI discourse. Below are various works put forth by SVT Group or its team.

Our research and writing is meant to help everyone works towards a better planet. We believe that all information should be available to those who need it. As such, our work governed by a Creative Commons license, we welcome you to use it and redistribute it in accordance with these guidelines.

SVT Projects In the Media ...

• SVT Partner Brett Galimidi was recently featured on CNBC's "Squawk on the Street." The full video interview can be seen here.


• SVT, HIP Investor and FastCompany teamed up for a second time! This time the focus was "Big Oil?" Can a big oil investment be green? What are your alternatives? To read the article and additional features, follow this link.


• SVT and its client Grupo Ecologico Sierra Gorda were recently featured on BBC's The World for our work helping a large protected area in Mexico relate poverty reduction to carbon credits. To hear or read the story, follow this link.


• SVT was recently profiled Canada's The Bottom Line in an article entitled "The Shades of Grey in Going Green."


• The Scottsdale Airpark News recently featured SVT in a cover story on Social Return on Investment. Download the PDF here.


• The New York Times recently published an article on triple bottom line reporint, highlighting the work of SVT. Follow this link to read the story.

SVT and HIP Investor Collaborate for FastCompany Article... Again!

• SVT Group and HIP Investor teamed up once again for an analysis of 10 publicly-traded Big Oil companies. The goal: to see how far these companies have moved, if at all, towards a future of sound practices and environmental consideration. HIP means Human Impact + Profit; simultaneously maximizing both elements is rapidly becoming a core driver of long term success. The February 2008 issue of FastCompany magazine contained the second in a feature series on "Sensible Investing" based the results of the HIP/SVT collaborative research. The findings, as well as additional online tools and information, can be found on the FastCompany Sensible Investing website.


• For a summary of the FastCompany analysis of 21 companies done for the April 2007 issue, and a brief on the services SVT and HIP can provide corporations and investors, please download this pdf.

SVT Group Co-Authors a Book on Social Return on Investment Analysis

• In 2006 Peter Scholten (Scholten and Franssen), Jeremy Nicholls (new economics foundation) and Sara Olsen and Brett Galimidi of SVT came together to write Social Return on Investment: A guide to SROI analysis. The book is designed to provide an overview for those wanting a deeper understanding of SROI fundamentals, and to be a manual for those interested in implementing SROI methodology. At over 130 pages with half a dozen case studies, its the perfect introduction to social return on investment thinking. To find out more or to order a copy, please email us or contact us directly.

Also Available from SVT

• Wicked problems as defined by Wikipedia, "have incomplete, contradictory, and changing requirements; and solutions to them are often difficult to recognize as such because of complex interdependencies." Such is the nature of impact assessment in complex areas such as human rights. This paper from SVT attempts to address the challenge using a case study from past SVT client WITNESS.


• The SROI Framework 1.0 describes the general philosophy and steps of the SROI methodology. We are currently at work on the 2.0 version.


• "Mission Related Investing: A Workshop for Foundations," by Sara Olsen, edited by Woody Tasch. Investors' Circle Foundation, October 2004. This paper provides a framework and step-by-step process for deploying foundation investment assets in a way that complements the foundation's mission. Examples include JP Morgan Chase's Community Development Fund, Calvert Foundation, Pacific Community Ventures, and Boston Community Capital. Has lessons useful for boards, financial advisors and executives of foundation endowments and other investment funds.


• "Guidelines for Social Return on Investment," Alison Lingane and Sara Olsen, California Management Review, Spring of 2004. Available from: California Management Review. Proposes ten principles that should be followed to improve the credibility of social return on investment (SROI) calculation.


• "Double-Bottom Line Methods Catalog," by Cathy Clark, Will Rosenzweig, David Long and Sara Olsen and The Rockefeller Foundation, February 2004. Provides summaries and analysis of nine methods used by social-purpose venture funds and engaged philanthropy portfolios to assess the non-financial impact of their investments or grants.


• "Foundations Need Grant Recipient's Feedback," Thomas C. Layton and Sara Olsen, Chronicle of Philanthropy, April 17, 2003. Argues for a mechanism to provide feedback to foundations about their own performance.


• SVT's original Social Returns Analysis brochure.