Building Successful Impact Investment Programs

We believe individual impact investments should always be part of a patient, long-term program with clear strategic and financial goals. The program must be designed to learn and adapt over time and needs to be built in authentic dialog with the communities it is trying to serve. Occam assists with all elements of impact investment program development.

  • Program design starts with defining clear, realistic multi-year impact and financial goals with appropriate resources to achieve them. The program should allow for refinements the process overtime based on experience and feedback from community.

  • A good program serves community and is defined by what is investable now, as well as what could be investable in the future. We facilitate meetings with community to understand where the needs and opportunities exist, and build a program to serve those needs and opportunities.

  • A program needs clear processes for decision making that are understandable by all stakeholders. We help structure investment committees that combine financial experience and understanding of community need.

  • We lead a team-based approach to diligence that is multi-stage and involves financial and impact considerations together.

  • Portfolios are managed through regular communication with investees, and having processes in place to understand emerging needs and provide assistance as those needs arise.

  • Annual financial and impact reporting is a key deliverable to stakeholders, including client leadership, external investors, and community members.

Our services

  • Program Coordination

    For our largest engagements, Occam’s team serves the role of program coordinator. We act as a virtual staff member, leading all key elements of the work in coordination with organization leadership and key staff.

  • Program Advising

    For organizations with staff already in place in key roles, we can act as both expert advisor and an extra resource for key deliverables.

  • Coaching & Affiliation

    We provide one on one coaching services, offering our expertise and network individuals at smaller organizations or independent consultants working on their own mandates.