Leaning on the allegory of St. Francis and the Angry Squirrel, this session seeks to the explore the topic of religious wealth and the dangers of presenting impact investment opportunities to religious organization’s without the right approach. The session would start with the history of St Francis being a wealthy young man, standing naked in front of his father in an act of shedding the family wealth. Generations later, the church is far wealthier than Francis could have ever imagined. As impact finance seeks to reach out to the opportunity of religious wealth as investors or social purpose real estate, the experience can be like one of feeding an angry squirrel. This session will explore the huge opportunity of $1.5 trillion in long-term assets and over $500BN in US land value, alongside some of the impact finance instruments being prepared around these.
St. Francis and the Angry Squirrel: Religious Wealth in the Age of Impact
Track
Catalytic Philanthropy
Format
Brief and Bold (1 Speaker, keynote style)
Speakers
- NameGraham Singh
- TitleFounder and CEO
- OrganizationTrinity Centres Foundation
Description
Leaning on the allegory of St. Francis and the Angry Squirrel, this session seeks to the explore the topic of religious wealth and the dangers of presenting impact investment opportunities to religious organization’s without the right approach. The session would start with the history of St Francis being a wealthy young man, standing naked in front of his father in an act of shedding the family wealth. Generations later, the church is far wealthier than Francis could have ever imagined. As impact finance seeks to reach out to the opportunity of religious wealth as investors or social purpose real estate, the experience can be like one of feeding an angry squirrel. This session will explore the huge opportunity of $1.5 trillion in long-term assets and over $500BN in US land value, alongside some of the impact finance instruments being prepared around these.
