Funding for Systems Change: Deploying Capital for Social Impact

Join a three-part educational and community-building series designed to strengthen the relationship between MIT founders, alumni, investors, philanthropists, and ecosystem partners, hosted by the Priscilla King Gray (PKG) Center for Social Impact at MIT. The PKG Center cultivates the next generation of leaders committed to using technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship to solve pressing social challenges. Unlike traditional venture-backed startups, many social and climate ventures require a broader spectrum of capital—including philanthropy, recoverable grants, patient capital, impact-first investment, donor-advised funds, and angel investment—to achieve long-term systems change. This series introduces participants to that landscape, creates opportunities for founders and funders to learn together, and builds the relationships needed for a stronger impact capital ecosystem at MIT. Whether you're passionate about supporting emerging leaders, curious about the impact capital landscape, or interested in exploring social entrepreneurship at MIT, this is your chance to learn about: Angel investing fundamentalsPortfolio construction and riskInvesting for both impact and financial returnHow individuals, family offices, philanthropy, and donor-advised funds can participate and align their capital for systemic change What founders should expect from investor conversationsCase studies from experienced impact investorsSpeakers include Jason Jay PhD ’10, Director of the MIT Sloan Sustainability Initiative and Senior Lecturer at the MIT Sloan School of Management, Michele Kaliski SM '87, President of Kaliski Fichtl Innovation Fund, and Suelin Chen '03, SM '07, PhD '10, PD '10, Managing Director of Emergent Partners, LLC. This hybrid event is free and open to all MIT alumni and friends. Register here!