INSIDE

FOR-BENEFITS

LESSONS FROM A PLACE-BASED INITIATIVE

Vision and Framework

Impact Profiles

Tools for Success

Our Solution: The Value Louisiana Initiative Value Louisiana is a local economic development initiative to grow for-benefit enterprises (organizations that use private sector strategies to solve social and environmental challenges). Our model scales technical assistance using place-based metrics identified by our community. The process also connects capital to organizations while reducing dependency on philanthropic and federal dollars and leveraging impact investors.

VISION & FRAMEWORK

Intermediary

Community Engagement

Capital & Impact

Investing

Integrated Technical

Assistance

Packages & Delivers to:

Nonprofit Business Government

1. Rationale An intermediary or backbone organization, such as LifeCity, serves as the coordinator for three levels of assistance: community engagement (define local metrics), access to capital (finance), and technical assistance (business support services). This constant feedback model allows information to flow between businesses, communities, social service providers, and government. This relationship minimizes inefficiencies and capitalizes on opportunities that are missed in a segmented approach to economic development.

3. Roles Intermediary Organization • Serves as a Backbone

Organization • Coordinates Technical

Assistance • Facilitates development of

community-based metrics • Connects to investment and

other resources • Coordinates technical

assistance, implementation & reporting

Community Engagement Network • Identify gaps and opportunities

in the ecosystem • Define a community strategy

and vision • Approves locally-based impact

metrics • Provide research needed to

innovate new models • Education and outreach

Capital Network • Diverse resources ranging from

philanthropic dollars to traditional investors

• Rebates and incentive programs

• Corporate Sponsors • Potentially facilitates an Impact

Fund for business investment opportunities through another intermediary

Technical Assistance Network • Specialized experts who deliver

assessments in areas such as: • Energy Management • Pollution Prevention • Business Health • Innovation

• Teams organized and specialized by different sectors in the economy

2. Goals

ü Grow for-benefit organizations ü Increase jobs ü Increase sales revenues ü Increase social and environmental impact ü Increase community resilience through a

network of relationships that provide continuous feedback and improvement

The Impact Development Model helps every business, nonprofit, and government agency understand how to leverage private sector

strategies to solve social and environmental problems.

TOOLS FOR SUCCESS

Social Tools

Community Assets • Local brand recognition lead by Steering Committee • Educational workshops and networking events • Competitions and awards ceremonies • Social financing, research and data analysis expertise • 1-1 assessment and relationship building

Social Skills • Project management • Behavioral management • Connecting and networking • Strong communication and leadership skills

Resources • Collective impact models such as Strive (www.strivetogether.org),

the IMCP Playbook and E3 Program (www.e3.gov and www.manufacturing.gov/imcp/index.html)

• Behavioral change (www.cbsm.com) • Sustainable business competition and awards

(www.mylifecity.com/about-the-green-games) • Social finance guide

(www.manufacturing.gov/imcp/docs/imcp_financing_guide.pdf)

Software: Connecting Consumer, Company & Community 1) A Community Platform allows local governments, regional leaders, and the community to see how the consolidated efforts of consumers and companies result in achieving local social, environmental and economic impact goals.

2) A Consumer Application helps individuals support for-benefit companies, earn discounts, volunteer, donate, and invest in organizations.

3) A Company Portal helps businesses, nonprofits, investors, and other technical assistance providers track their impact, enjoy a network of discounts, and get access to support to help them achieve their goals.

IMPACT PROFILE: Becoming a For-Benefit Organization

Through the Impact Development Model, LCCI was able to get a discounted energy and lean assessment that helped them reduce water consumption, reducing costs and increasing revenues. This company is learning how to become a for-benefit through the development of pervious concrete, increasing purchasing from for-benefit companies, and enjoying the benefits of maximizing profits through social and environmental impact. Over $1 million in savings were discovered through our model.

IMPACT PROFILES

Louisiana’s Oldest For-Benefit Started in 1900, Lighthouse Louisiana generates revenue while also solving a major problem in our community: employment for the blind. The hundred-year-old nonprofit manufactures paper products. The City and the Louisiana Department of Economic Development provided an interest-free loan to support the organization’s rehabilitation program. The economic return: • New jobs and payroll dollars, local spending,

construction dollars, sales tax, and services to the community

• Employment of 155 people, 74 of whom are blind • 95% of the organization’s budget is sustained by

commercial revenue

Organizations receive customized support through a continuous improvement model that meets them where they are along the process of becoming a for-benefit organization or supporting the growth of these organizations.

For-benefit Growth

Business, Nonprofit, & Government

Agency

IMPACT PROFILE:

Let’s Work Together INVEST

LifeCity is looking for further

investment to scale the Impact Development Model.

PARTNER

We want to partner with green business associations in communities that

share common goals.

CONNECT

www.MyLifeCity.com Liz Shephard, CEO, LifeCity, LLC

Liz@mylifecity.com | (813) 417-0392