Investing in Good Jobs for Working People
As we turned the corner into 2015 our economy was thriving — on paper. Since the end of the Great Recession, almost 12 million jobs have been created. But, average wages working Americans have dropped 23 percent. The strongest job growth these past few years has all been in low-wage work, at places like strip […]
May 08, 2015 –
The First-Ever “Roadmap for Impact Investing”
In 2014, Pacific Community Ventures created the first-ever “roadmap for impact investing” for the G8 Taskforce on Social Impact Investment. At the same time, we published a seminal report on Impact Investing global policy. In the present day the impact investing industry has been solidly established at a global level, with hundreds of billions — en route […]
May 09, 2014 –
Looking Back, Looking Ahead
In the five years following the start of the “Great Recession” Pacific Community Ventures helped fuel the economic recovery for underinvested communities. Over those five years we invested money and resources in 867 small businesses across 25 states. Those companies created 1,297 jobs, averaging 12% job growth and paying out $250,000,000 in wages. In 2014, PCV doubled […]
May 08, 2014 –
Success Story: Discount Glass and Mirror
Discount Glass and Mirror in San Diego was hit hard by the recession of 2008, and after a precipitous decline in orders and revenue, the company faced possible bankruptcy. Our advisors helped owner Anthony Bortz tighten his cost structure to reflect the slowdown, shift his marketing strategy to target high-opportunity market segments, and position the company […]
May 26, 2013 –
Impact Investing 2.0: The Way Forward
In 2013 we published one of the major Impact Investing reports that put us on the map, so to speak. “Impact Investing 2.0: The Way Forward – Insight from 12 Outstanding Funds”, was created in partnership with the Center for the Advancement of Social Entrepreneurship (CASE) at Duke University and Impact Assets. It identifies twelve high-performing […]
Apr 28, 2013 –
Investing More Than Just Money
2013 was a year of building for PCV. After launching several new programs and platforms in 2012, we set about growing our national advising platform and our global impact investing policy platform. The national expansion of our Business Advising program proves the value of mentorship: PCV companies across American created 1000% more jobs than the […]
Apr 26, 2013 –
The Impact Investing Policy Collaborative
In 2011, when PCV and IRI launched the IIPC, we aimed to bring together policymakers and practitioners committed to policy innovation that promotes investing for social and environmental impact. It was a nascent conversation, and we’re grateful to all of you for being early promoters and visionaries. From the very first IIPC conference in Brazil […]
May 26, 2012 –
Announcing BusinessAdvising.org
Pacific Community Ventures has always been a forward-looking organization, and in 2012 we launched a new platform to transcend the barriers that small business owners face when it comes to finding affordable and qualified advice. Many small business owners began their companies after early success pursuing their skills and passions: be it designing jewelry, curating […]
Apr 28, 2012 –
Strengthening Communities One Job At A Time
PCV turned 15 this year! And while we still couldn’t legally drive, by 2012 we’d worked with over 3,000 businesses, created more than 30,000 jobs, and enabled over $300,000,000 in wages paid. We also evaluated $25 billion in capital directed to social impact through our consulting practice. 2011 was another big year in our efforts to […]
Apr 26, 2012 –
Success Story: Petit Collage
Petit Collage’s eco-friendly, vintage inspired room décor and accessories have captured the hearts of parents everywhere, as well as the attention of tastemakers such as Martha Stewart and the New York Times. Owner and designer Lorena Siminovich had been building Petit Collage steadily for five years when she realized the business was experiencing growing pains. […]
May 26, 2011 –
The Business Case for CDFIs
In 2011, PCV ramped up our policy and field-building research practice to some big state-wide and national acclaim. We have been supporting the development of networks, infrastructure, intermediaries and research designed to accelerate the maturation of an impact investing industry that seeks to create social and environmental benefit in addition to profit. Our report with the […]
Apr 29, 2011 –
Results That Transcend Tough Times
2011 was transformational year for Pacific Community Ventures. Following the closing years of the recession, we learned many small business owners needed fair loans to support their business goals. Every day, 8,000 small business loan requests are declined by banks across America. In response, we launched one of our new, foundational programs: our “Loans + Advice” […]