Our Mission
Leadership, Experience, Opportunities
LEO Impact Fund invests philanthropic capital in high-impact, early-stage social enterprises. We strive to educate the next generation of impact investors with hands-on experience, active networks, and educational events.
Originally founded in 2007, our team is staffed annually by volunteers who primarily are MBA students at Columbia Business School and overseen by an independent board of directors. We are an independent not-for-profit corporation and tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization that is unaffiliated with and not under the control or supervision of Columbia University.
Our Three-Pronged Approach
1. Investment
We make debt investments that support social enterprises across the world while maintaining strong relationships with investees to help them develop and grow. In addition to venture debt, we continue to explore opportunities to invest in equity and equity-like securities. Our focus areas include financial inclusion, health, education, and climate solutions.
2. Education
Through lecture series, speaker panels, conferences, newsletters, and other engagement activities, we provide opportunities for the Columbia University community at large to learn about impact investing, network, and find career opportunities in the field.
3. Consulting
We work with investees and other partners to design consulting and due diligence projects carried out by volunteers, primarily Columbia MBA students. Projects are typically three months long and culminate with consultants traveling and working internationally on-site at no cost to partners.
"Joining LEO, serving as a VP of Impact Measurement and more recently as co-President, has been an incredibly formative experience during my MBA experience. Coming from a liberal arts background, I decided to pursue an MBA to integrate my interest in doing social good with my desire to develop strategic business acumen. LEO has afforded me that opportunity and more; the leadership skills I'm developing in running a certified non-profit will be invaluable in my career and life."
— Celeste Young, Co-President (2024-25)