Monthly Archives

January 2023

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By CNote, Impact Investing, Impact Metrics, Migration V2

CNote’s Q4 2022 Impact Report

CNote is excited to share our Q4 2022 Impact Report.

Our Q4 report features CNote’s exciting firm growth, the impact our mission-driven partners have had in communities, and a deeper look at the Wisdom Fund. Additionally, CNote shares details around some of the events our Director of Impact Evaluation, Tamra Thetford, and our Community Development Director, Stacy Zielinski, attended this quarter.

In this report you will see:

  • More information on CNote’s oversubscribed $7 million Series A Preferred Stock investment round that closed in September.
  • An update on Impact Cash, CNote’s fixed income solutions, and our customizable promissory loans.
  • An update on the Wisdom Fund collaborative and the support collaborative members provide to women of color entrepreneurs in addition to capital.
  • A look at some of the innovative loan fund and depository institutions putting CNote capital to work in under-served communities.
  • Insight into CNote’s belief that all investors should have the opportunity to invest for impact.

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By CNote, Migration V2

CNote Has Been Re-certified as a B Corporation™

We’re excited to share that CNote has been re-certified as a B Corporation™, a company that uses the power of business to solve social and environmental problems. 

This certification shows that CNote meets high standards of verified performance, accountability, and transparency across various areas including employee benefits, charitable giving, supply chain practices, and input materials.

CNote was first certified as a B Corporation™ in 2019 with a score of 94 (a score of 80 is required to qualify for B Corp™ Certification and 50.9 is the median score for ordinary businesses). In our most recent re-certification, we achieved a score of 121.1 across our governance, workers, community, environment, and customer segments. This increase can be attributed to our ongoing efforts to better serve under-resourced communities, our employees, and more.

Maintaining our B Corp™ status is important to CNote because it provides a benchmark to continue improving our business. By using the B Impact Assessment tool and meeting the B Corp™ standards, CNote will continue evolving new ideas to serve our stakeholders. 

Additionally, the certification provides CNote with the continued opportunity to collaborate and engage with the over 4,000 B Corporations™. Across continents, countries, and industries, all B Corporations™ are united by a common goal of “transforming the global economy to benefit all people, communities, and the planet.” 

“Being a B Corporation™ is more than just a label,” said CNote’s Director of Impact Evaluation, Tamra Thetford. ‘“It’s a way of doing business that reaffirms our commitment to remaining accountable to all of our stakeholders. We’re proud to be part of this movement, and we’ll continue to be thoughtful and intentional in creating sustainable impact for years to come.”

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By Impact Investing, Migration V2

A Bright Future Ahead: Why Impact Investing Matters in 2023

What is Impact Investing?

Before we dive into why impact investing is so important for the coming year and beyond, let’s quickly define what it actually means. Impact investing is an investment strategy that focuses on generating measurable social or environmental impact alongside financial returns. This could mean anything from investing in renewable energy projects to providing loans to small businesses in under-resourced communities. The idea is that you are not only earning a return but also having a positive effect on the world with your investments.

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The Power of Impact Investing During a Volatile Economy

While impact investing has been steadily gaining traction over the past few years, its importance is more evident than ever when times get tough. For example, during 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic swept across the globe, many businesses were forced to close their doors due to restrictions put in place by governments trying to contain the virus. This led to massive unemployment in many countries. However, thanks to impact investors who provided essential funding for small businesses during this difficult time, some of these companies were able to keep their doors open and provide jobs for those without them—which was especially crucial for low-income households who rely on these jobs for basic necessities like food and shelter.

Toni Hopkins received a loan during COVID-19 which allowed her to open her business, Cool J’s Apparel

The Benefits of Impact Investing Beyond 2023

Although its power has been made abundantly clear during times of economic hardship, impact investing isn’t just about getting through hard times—it’s also about using those challenging moments as opportunities for true transformation. By channeling capital into projects that bring change at both the local and national levels, individuals and corporations have an opportunity to make their investments count toward something greater than themselves—all while still receiving an attractive return on their investment!

2023 marks yet another exciting opportunity for all of us here at CNote—and we can’t wait to share our mission of closing the wealth gap through financial innovation with you all! By empowering under-resourced communities through impactful investments that deliver measurable social or environmental benefits alongside attractive financial returns, CNote remains committed to helping you make sound investment decisions while simultaneously driving meaningful change throughout society and making sure everyone has access to resources they need now and in the future. We hope you join us on our journey towards making a real difference in 2023!