Friendship Bridge is proud to announce that the organization has reached the Truelift Leader Milestone. Friendship Bridge is the third Truelift Leader in Latin America and the fourth in the world. The organization’s commitment to social performance management and the Client Continuum concept are quoted as major reasons that Friendship Bridge has earned this highest Truelift recognition.

Carmen Valesco, Truelift Co-Chair and one of the founders of Pro Mujer Bolivia and Pro Mujer International, shared, “At Truelift we are honored to give Friendship Bridge recognition because we know firsthand how tremendously difficult it is to remain loyal to the mission and put it into practice in all strategic actions and decisions. We know that it is a job that requires excellent management, aligned with the principles in favor of people living in poverty and that is the work of each and every one of the people who are linked to the entity.”

​Truelift is ​a global initiative to push for accountability in pro-poor development. The three Pro-Poor Principles are as follows: 1)  Purposeful Outreach to People Living in Conditions of Poverty 2) Services that Meet the Needs of People Living in Conditions of Poverty 3) Tracking Progress of People Living in Conditions of Poverty.

In response to the recognition, Karen Larson, President & CEO, and Caitlin Scott, Social Performance Manager, wrote: “We are so very honored to be recognized with the Leadership Milestone

A member of the Social Performance Management Team interviews a Friendship Bridge client to understand her needs.

by Truelift! As you know, we are not a large organization but we want to make a big impact. We strive to provide services that empower our clients to fend off and bounce back from shocks as well as pursue opportunities that create a better future for themselves, their families, and communities. We believe that our commitment to Social Performance Management helps us both maintain clarity of our objectives and be effective in achieving them.”

This honor signifies Friendship Bridge’s commitment to positive and enduring change for people living in conditions of poverty.

Click to read more about Truelift Leader Status 

CO Impact Days and Initiative announced last week the 60 social ventures that are invited to meet face to face with investors in order to seek millions of dollars of “impact investments” at CO Impact Days Social Venture Showcase on March 4, 2016. Friendship Bridge was one of just 60 finalists chosen from more than 280 applicants.

The 60 ventures will convene at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts (DCPA) for the first of its kind, statewide marketplace for impact investing.  The chosen social ventures will have the opportunity to showcase their work and their ability to provide both a financial and social return to more than 200 accredited impact investors.

“This is the first time in the U.S. that 200 accredited impact investors will come together for a statewide marketplace, where they can connect with each other, learn, and have intimate access to social ventures representing projects, for profits, nonprofits, and funds at any stage of growth,” said Dr. Stephanie Gripne, Founder of the Impact Finance Center and creator of CO Impact Days and Initiative. “This is a first for impact investors and social ventures.”

The goal of CO Impact Initiative is to catalyze $100 million in impact investments into Colorado social ventures in the next three years, and it is kicking off with CO Impact Days on March 2-4. CO Impact Days encourages a new breed of impact investors and community members to Learn. Connect. Invest.

“Colorado Impact Days is providing a perfect opportunity for Friendship Bridge to showcase our work to so many significant socially minded investors,” says CEO, Karen Larson, “We are excited to share our investment opportunity with local, like-minded investors and likewise, learn what is important to them. What a great community event!”

Among the more than 200 accredited impact investors, foundations, and family offices participating in CO Impact Days and Initiative are Gary Community Investments, Colorado Health Foundation, The Denver Foundation and Innovest Portfolio Solutions, along with Linda Appel Lipsius, Andrew C. Currie, Rich Hoops, Jim and Melanie Davidson, and Jenn Vervier.

“Impact investing allows me to support both for profit and nonprofit social ventures using my experience as an agency president, skills as an entrepreneur, and resources from my success,” says Melanie Davidson, President & COO of Fruition, a Denver based marketing agency. “Where else in the U.S. can I come to meet 200 other leading philanthropists and investors, learn from the best national and regional leaders in this space, and get the first look at Colorado’s top social ventures?”

CO Impact Days’ innovation is uniquely possible here because Colorado is home to a number of national leaders in impact investing and a thriving and collaborative community of social venture entrepreneurs in both the for profit and nonprofit sectors, philanthropists, and investors who are committed to growing Colorado’s economy and creating good jobs while ensuring our state remains one of the best places to work, live, and play in the U.S.