For people who want to support inspiring entrepreneurs and deep social and environmental impact  

BACKGROUND: With more and more investors concerned about social and environmental issues, money is flowing into impact investing at an accelerating rate. One growth indicator: the Global Impact Investing Network estimated in 2022 that impact investments have surpassed $1 trillion and are expected to grow at a double-digit rate through 2029. 

Yet even now, retail investors find few accessible impact investing products—especially if they’re looking for transparency about where their money goes. RSF’s Social Investment Fund (SIF) has long been an exception: Launched with an “impact investing for all” approach, the SIF lends to enterprises doing innovative work on climate, social justice, food and agriculture, workforce development, and whole child education. SIF investors pumped $120M into these ventures in 2023. 

PRODUCT OVERVIEW: SIF notes are an easy, low-volatility way to invest in businesses and nonprofits that are addressing urgent social and environmental issues. The notes are available for a minimum $1,000 investment at a 90-day term. SIF notes fund loans, in the form of secured debt, to established for-profit and nonprofit enterprises that are incorporated in the U.S. or Canada and are mission-driven.   

SIF OPTIONS: SIF notes are available to residents of 47 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. (The notes are not available to residents of Washington, Arkansas, or Tennessee.) Investors can purchase SIF notes at the following levels as of January 2025: 

  • 90-Day Notes: 1% interest, minimum $1,000 investment 
  • 1-Year Notes: 2% interest, minimum $25,000 investment 
  • 3-Year Notes: 3.5% interest, minimum $25,000 investment 

Rates are subject to change. Find current rates: https://rsfsocialfinance.org/invest

BORROWER EXAMPLES: Current and former borrowers supported by the SIF include: 

Drive Change, a New York–based nonprofit that offers formerly incarcerated young adults opportunities in the hospitality industry and works to change inequities within the industry (see story) 

Guayakí, a beverage company that sells organic, fair-trade yerba mate tea leaves and canned drinks, and seeks to restore 2 million acres of South American rainforest by 2030 (see article) 

Mad Capital, which provides flexible, farmer-friendly funding at a scale with the goal of driving a regenerative agriculture revolution (see story) 

Sunwealth, a clean energy investment firm with a portfolio of community-based solar projects, more than one-third of them directly benefiting low- to moderate-income communities (see news release) 

INVESTOR BENEFITS: The SIF is a high-impact investment with unique features for retail investors: 

Engagement with changemakers: Investors can get to know the transformative organizations their dollars support through RSF’s impact stories, newsletters, annual reports, and community gatherings.  

Transparent impact: Investors can be confident that they’re investing in real impact because RSF evaluates borrowers for both their mission performance and financial strength. It also lists and profiles borrowers on its website so investors can see who they’re supporting.  

Accessibility: Investors can open a Social Investment Fund note with $1,000, a low threshold in impact investing. Investing in the SIF only takes a few minutes.  

Community input on interest rates: RSF interest rates reflect input from both borrowers and investors, gathered via quarterly surveys.  

IMPACT MEASUREMENT: RSF asks new and renewing borrowers to complete a survey that evaluates the enterprise’s impact model; community and field building contributions; organizational structure; employee experience; resource management and supply chain; leadership and culture; and justice, equity, diversity and inclusion progress. 

HISTORY: The SIF has a 100% repayment rate of principal and interest to investors since inception. More than 60% of note balances have been invested in the fund for over 10 years and almost 20% have been invested for 5-10 years. This gives borrowers funded by the SIF access to patient capital, which is essential for long-term change, particularly for enterprises working on climate solutions.  

RISK: Like all investments, SIF notes are subject to risks, which are described in the prospectus (available as a PDF on RSF’s website or by contacting RSF at 415-561-3900). Risks include the possible loss of the amount invested. Notes are not FDIC or SIPC insured and are not bank deposits. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. 

TO OPEN AN ACCOUNT OR LEARN MORE: Go to https://rsfsocialfinance.org/invest. RSF requests that all potential investors read the SIF Prospectus, available at https://rsfsocialfinance.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/RSF-SIF-2024-2025-Prospectus-1.pdf or by contacting 415-561-3900 or sif@rsfsocialfinance.org. 

ABOUT RSF: RSF’s mission is to change finance and finance change. By offering investment notes, donor advised funds, and loans, the San Francisco-based impact leader mobilizes money toward positive impact. Since 1984, RSF has innovated finance tools and invested in healthier food systems, climate solutions, whole-child education, community impact, and more.

RSF FACTS & FIGURES: 

Structure: RSF is a nonprofit tax-exempt organization with supporting organizations and subsidiaries designed to further its mission 

Loans & grants issued since 1984: over $1 billion 

Assets under management: over $221 million 

Investor payback rate: 100% principal + interest repayment rate to investors in the SIF 

Investors & donors: over 1,300 SIF investors and 270 donor advised fund holders 

MEDIA CONTACT 

Sarah Grolnic-McClurg, Thinkshift Communications 

415-828-3143 (mobile) | sarah@thinkshiftcom.com  

Disclaimer: This fact sheet describes a financial product—Social Investment Fund notes offered by RSF—and how it meets the needs of retail investors interested in impact investing. This is not an offer to sell, nor a solicitation of an offer to buy, securities. Such offering is made solely by the Prospectus, and only in states where authorized. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Rates are subject to change. The Notes are unsecured debt securities subject to terms, conditions, and risks described in the Prospectus, including the risk of possible loss of the amount invested. Payment is dependent on RSF Social Investment Fund’s financial condition at the time payment is due.