Jen Astone: Championing People and Planet-Centered Finance

Can finance help make the world better, focusing on fairness and caring for the earth? Jen Astone’s work in finance and giving back shows it can. He has spent over 20 years changing how we invest and think about making a positive impact.

Astone started with a big idea: using money to help people and the planet. At the Swift Foundation and then as her own company’s founder, He changed giving. He wanted funding to help in the long run and fight for fairness.

Her new ways of investing have helped with human rights, gender equality, and protecting the environment. Astone shows that money can really make a difference. It can help get healthy food to people and make communities stronger.

Introduction to Jen Astone

Jen Astone is a leader in social finance and grantmaking. He has worked for over 20 years, focusing on human rights, gender justice, and protecting the environment. He uses cultural anthropology and new investment methods to help communities and the planet.

Astone has a Ph.D. in cultural anthropology. Her research was on women’s gardens in Guinea, West Africa. This work taught her about the importance of traditional knowledge for sustainable development.

He works with the Swift Foundation to support Indigenous and local communities. They focus on land rights, sustainable farming, and new economic ways.

Astone believes in more than just giving money. He supports regenerative farming and community strength as key to a healthy Earth. He works with groups like Divest Invest and the Global Alliance for the Future of Food to bring big changes to giving.

He lives in Aptos, California, and keeps pushing the limits of social finance. Astone wants impact investing to be common, tackling issues like climate change and inequality. Her work shows that making a positive change and making money can go together, leading to a better world for everyone.

Who is Jen Astone?

Jen Astone is a leader in making a positive change through investment and community growth. He has over 25 years of experience in finance. He works to find sustainable solutions for social and environmental issues.

Since 2011, He has been the Executive Director of the Swift Foundation. He leads efforts that support cultural diversity and protect the environment.

Astone focuses on sustainable agriculture and food security. He works with groups like the AgroEcology Fund and the Global Alliance for the Future of Food. He also supports communities in Northwest British Columbia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru.

With a Ph.D. in cultural anthropology, Astone brings deep knowledge to her work. He changed the Swift Foundation’s investment strategy. Now, the foundation supports sustainable businesses, food systems, and renewable energy projects.

Astone is dedicated to making a difference. He supports non-profits and promotes impact investing. He believes finance can help solve big issues like climate change and social inequality. Her work inspires others to join the cause of financial activism.

Integrated Capital Investing

Jen Astone’s way of investing makes a big difference. He uses money to help people and the planet. This method makes sure money helps communities and supports sustainable growth.

Astone fights for fairness with her investments. He supports causes like food sovereignty and land rights. Her goal is to build a green economy that tackles racism and climate change.

The Transformative 25 list highlights funds changing finance for good. These funds focus on building strong relationships and investing in specific places. Astone believes in using capital to make a lasting impact.

Astone also teaches others about investing in change. He hosts webinars and events on topics like racial equity and indigenous-led funds. Her goal is to grow a community of investors who care about the planet and act ethically.

Philanthropic Leadership

Jen Astone has led philanthropic efforts for over 20 years. He focuses on social justice, building capacity, and supporting indigenous rights. During her eight years at the Swift Foundation, He made a big impact.

Her work aims to help all genders fight for their rights. It also improves lives and strengthens local communities. Astone’s approach is all about making a difference that lasts.

Catalyst for Change

Astone has brought about big changes in many areas. He works for financial inclusion and building strong networks. Her efforts help create a better world for everyone.

He supports healthcare, disease prevention, and mental health. This helps make communities healthier. Astone also fights for the rights of Indigenous Peoples, honoring their culture and land.

At the Swift Foundation, Astone made a big change by making the endowment 99% free of fossil fuels. He also started a $10 million fund for new economy projects. This shows her commitment to helping people and the planet.

Astone believes in working together and understanding others. He works closely with local communities to build trust and find solutions. Her work with groups like Divest Invest and the AgroEcology Fund shows her dedication to a sustainable future and caring for the environment.

Innovative Financing Strategies

Jen Astone leads the way in finding new ways to solve big social and environmental problems. He works on cutting down carbon footprints and better managing resources with creative giving strategies. Astone mixes economic growth with green practices for lasting change.

Creative Financing Solutions

Astone backs projects like the Neycha Accelerator & Fund in Uganda and Kenya. This program helps agroecological businesses grow by offering training, money, and connections to the market. It aims to make communities more resilient to climate change and ensure they have enough food.

The Integrated Capital Fellowship program, started by RSF Social Finance, picked 24 top financial experts. It was meant for 15 people but took in 24 because of the great interest. Most of the fellows are women, and 42% are minorities. They come from various backgrounds, including impact investment firms, foundations, and groups that mix finance with social change.

Astone believes in investing in small farmers to protect biodiversity and cultural heritage. He supports the Agroecology Investment Guide, which highlights how agroecological farms and new funding ways can help the planet. This guide is a key tool for those wanting to make money and help the environment at the same time.

Educational workshops and fellowships are key to Astone’s mission. They teach people about investing with integrated capital and its power to create positive change. By merging financial knowledge with a deep understanding of social and environmental issues, Astone is leading the way to a future of responsible investing.

Community Engagement and Partnerships

Jen Astone focuses on building strong ties with communities through her philanthropic work. He works on civic engagement and forming global alliances to tackle big issues. Astone teams up with local leaders and groups to create solutions that help preserve culture and fight climate change.

Building Strong Relationships

Astone’s dedication to community partnerships shines through her work with the Agroecology Fund. From 2012 to 2023, the fund gave out $20 million to grassroots projects in 88 countries. This process, led by experts, makes sure the money goes to those who need it.

The Agroecology Fund has grown to have over 40 active supporters. This shows how Astone’s approach builds trust and respect in communities.

Astone does more than just give money. He works with experts like Georgina Catacora-Vargas and Milka Chepkorir. These partnerships show Astone’s effort to mix local knowledge with global expertise for real change.

Conclusion and Future Directions

Jen Astone’s work shows her dream of a sustainable future. He went from a low-income area to leading the charge on climate solutions. Her mix of indigenous knowledge and modern tactics tackles big environmental issues.

A Sustainable Future

Astone fights hard to save nature and works with groups to boost green energy and cut down on carbon emissions. Her new ways of funding support projects that keep our planet’s resources safe for the next generations. He’s moved past the old 5% giving model, now focusing on investments that make a real difference.

Her efforts reach across the globe. At the 3rd AFSA Biennial Food Systems Conference, people from 25 schools in 10 countries shared ideas for African markets. This meeting showed how important it is to connect small farmers with buyers and bring back traditional foodways. Astone’s focus on working with communities is key to lasting change.

Looking to the future, Astone keeps pushing for policies that care for the earth and people. He envisions a world where green finance leads to big improvements. Through partnerships and new ideas, Astone is making a path to a fairer, greener tomorrow.

Final Thoughts

The Transformative 25 list highlights how new investment strategies and regenerative practices can bring about positive change. These efforts have raised over $60 million from 516 investors and made 176 investments. They are changing the way we think about ethical investment and helping communities.

Projects like the Appalachian Impact Fund focus on making homes more affordable and energy-efficient. Beneficial Returns supports social enterprises in Latin America and Asia. These efforts show how we can protect the environment and preserve cultural heritage worldwide.

The Buen Vivir Fund gives grants that help build strong local economies in places like Mexico, Guatemala, and India. This shows our dedication to helping communities thrive.

The East Bay Permanent Real Estate Cooperative is a great example of how shared ownership can lead to shared success. With 282 member-owners, it offers financial returns from 1-8%. This shows how impact investing can tackle big social and environmental issues in creative ways.

Investing in Native Communities is especially important, as they often get very little funding. Native Americans make up just 2% of the U.S. population. Yet, groups like the Northwest Area Foundation give 40% of their grants to Native communities.

Projects like the six-nation solar initiative show how investing in these areas can have a big impact. It proves that with the right funding, underserved communities can make great strides forward.