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Impact Investing
Want to work in this sector?
Start by learning more with the resources below!
Introduction

Issues

Solving global challenges requires significant amounts of capital. There is a $2.5 trillion gap in the annual funding needed to deliver the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. Global investment in clean energy needs to more than triple to around $4 trillion per year by 2030, and remain around these levels until 2050. 

Unfortunately, global capital flows are not shifting to address the scale of these challenges. Since 2015, the world’s 60 largest banks have poured over $5.5 trillion into the fossil fuel industry, exacerbating the climate crisis. In 2019, banks around the world lent $2.6 trillion that was directly linked to ecosystem and wildlife destruction. 

Solutions

Impact investing refers to investments which are made with the intention to generate positive, measurable social and environmental impact alongside a financial return. The Global Impact Investing Network estimates the size of the worldwide impact investing market to be USD 1.164 trillion. Green bonds comprise a significant portion of this, with total green bond issuance reaching $900 billion in 2023. 

Impact investing is distinct from responsible investing, which involves investing according to certain environmental, social and governance criteria (also known as “ESG investing”). Where ESG investing aims to negatively screen investments for certain risks (i.e. excluding fossil fuels), while prioritizing investment in companies with higher ESG scores, impact investing seeks to create direct positive social or environmental impact in the world. Prominent impact investing firms with a wider social and environmental mission include Triodos Bank and Vancity Community Investment Bank

Social movement investing is a new theory of impact investing in which capital is used to fund economic transformation and promote wellbeing. The community wealth-building movement aims to reinvest in communities through broader democratic ownership of purpose-driven, place-based organizations such as credit unions, cooperatives, and community land trusts. For further examples, see The Next System Project or the Canadian Commmunity Economic Development Network

Calls to restructure the global financial system have increased in recent years. Although developed economies have pledged to provide $100 billion in annual climate finance to developing nations, there are concerns that such plans will worsen sovereign indebtedness and undermine state capacity if they are not centred on climate justice principles. The Bridgetown Initiative is a global plan introduced by Prime Minister Mia Mottley of Barbados to reform the international financial system in response to the global “polycrisis.” For more information, see this UNCTAD report on Financing a Global Green New Deal. 

Resources to
Learn More
Programs, Trainings, and Events
Policies and Organizations
Organizations
  • Global Impact Investing Network - The Global Impact Investing Network is the global champion of impact investing, dedicated to increasing its scale and effectiveness around the world. 
  • EU Platform on Sustainable Finance - The Platform is an advisory body to promote dialogue and close cooperation among a wide range of stakeholders from the public and private sector will be crucial to deliver on the aims of the EU Green Deal. 
  • UN Principles of Responsible Investment -  UN Principles for Responsible Investment is a UN-supported network of financial institutions working together to implement its six aspirational principles, often referenced as "the Principles". 
  • Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero - Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero (GFANZ) is a coalition of leading financial institutions committed to accelerating the net-zero transition. 
  • FinanceWatch - Finance Watch is a non-profit association dedicated to reforming finance in the interest of citizens. 
  • Toronto Atmospheric Fund - The Toronto Atmospheric Fund invests in urban solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution.
  • Vancity Community Investment Bank - Vancity Community Investment Bank has a mission to use the tools of finance to drive immediate and lasting social and environmental change in our communities. 
  • Raven Indigenous Capital Partners - Raven Indigenous Capital Partners provides the expertise to work with Indigenous communities and enterprises to develop financial tools that address critical social, economic, and environmental challenges by supporting Indigenous innovators. 
  • Canadian Community Economic Development Network - CCEDNet is a member-led association connecting people and ideas for action to build local economies that strengthen communities and benefit everyone. 
  • New Economy Coalition - The New Economy Coalition is a coalition of 200+ organizations building the solidarity economy in the U.S. and showing that another world is not only possible — it’s already happening.
Existing policies
Key Policies
  • US Inflation Reduction Act - The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 is the most significant climate legislation in U.S. history, offering funding, programs, and incentives to accelerate the transition to a clean energy economy 
  • EU Green Deal - The European Green Deal will transform the EU into a modern, resource-efficient and competitive economy, ensuring: no net emissions of greenhouse gases by 2050; economic growth decoupled from resource use; no person and no place left behind
  • EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive - EU rules require large companies and listed companies to publish regular reports on the social and environmental risks they face, and on how their activities impact people and the environment.
  • Climate Aligned Finance Act - The Climate Aligned Finance Act, introduced by independent Senator Rosa Galvez, is a landmark piece of legislation to align Canada’s financial system with its climate commitments.  
  • UK Better Business Act - The Better Business Act aims to change UK law to ensure every company in the UK aligns their interests with those of wider society and the environment.
New policy initiatives
Petitions

Volunteer Positions

Disclaimer: this list includes both organizations that are actively recruiting volunteers as well as organizations that do NOT have current openings.
Please follow their newsletter and socials to be informed when opportunities become available!

Name of Company
Open Positions
Location
Website
New Power Labs

Multiple

Multiple
Canadian Form for Impact Investing and Development (CAFIID)

Become a Member

Online
Canadian Community Economic Development (CED) Network

Become a Member

Nationwide
Bank.Green

Multiple

Online
Citizen’s Climate Lobby Canada

Multiple

Nationwide
The Council of Canadians

Join a Chapter

Nationwide
The Climate Reality Project

Multiple

Nationwide
Greenpeace

Multiple

Nationwide

Job Board

Disclaimer: Certain organizations on this list don't have sustainability as their core purpose, but they have been included because they have strong commitments and recognition for their efforts. For these organizations, only open positions directly contributing to sustainability initiatives or departments will be listed.

Organization
Open Positions
Type of Organization
Location ↓
Remote
Website
Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB)

Director, Investments (Indigenous projects)

Public Sector
Toronto, ON, Montreal, QC or Calgary, AB
Unknown
Link
Kawartha Land Trust

Volunteer Coordinator

Ciil Society
Peterborough, ON
In Person
Link
SVX

Marketing and Communications Analyst, Intern

Private Sector
Nationwide
Remote
Link
The Canadian Venture Capital & Private Equity Association (CVCA)

CVCA Diversity Internship Program - Summer 2025

Civil Society
Nationwide
Remote available
Link
Small Change Fund

Volunteer Manager

Civil Society
Toronto, ON
Remote
Link
Rally Assets

Associate, Impact Reporting

Private Sector
Toronto, ON
Hybrid
Link
Vancity

Investment Counsellor (VCIM)

Private Sector
Vancouver, BC
Hybrid
Link
Addenda Capital

Advisor, Client Experience and Proposals

Private Sector
Montreal, QC
Unknown
Link
Connor, Clark & Lunn Financial Group (CC&L)

Analyst, Stewardship & Engagement

Private Sector
Toronto, ON
Hybrid
Link
Connor, Clark & Lunn Financial Group (CC&L)

Analyst, Stewardship & Engagement

Private Sector
Vancouver, BC
Hybrid
Link

General List of Employers

Want to learn more about who the potential employers are in this sector? Check out this list to gain a broader understanding of the types of organizations that might be hiring now or in the future, and visit their websites to learn more about getting involved.

Disclaimer: Certain organizations on this list don't have sustainability as their core purpose, but they have been included because they have strong commitments and recognition for their efforts. For these organizations, only open positions directly contributing to sustainability initiatives or departments will be listed.

Organization
Type of Organization
Location ↓
Website
Seed Commons
Civil Society
USA based
Link
Pathway to a People’s Economy
Civil Society
USA based
Link
Centre for New Economics
Civil Society
USA based
Link
Capital Institute
Civil Society
USA based
Link
Democracy Collaborative
Civil Society
USA based
Link
The Next System Project
Civil Society
USA based
Link
New Power Labs
Civil Society
Toronto, ON
Link
Investment Readiness Program
Civil Society
Nationwide
Link
Canadian Community Economic Development Network
Civil Society
Victoriaville, QC
Link
Sustainable Calgary
Civil Society
Calgary, AB
Link
Future Ground Network
Civil Society
Nationwide
Link
Synergie Économique Laurentides
Civil Society
Sainte-Adèle, QC
Link
Jeune Chambre de Commerce de Montreal
Civil Society
Montreal, QC
Link
Fondation du Grand Montreal
Civil Society
Montreal, QC
Link
Regroupement pour la responsabilité sociale des entreprises (RRSE)
Civil Society
Montreal, QC
Link
Fonds d'action québécois pour le développement durable (FAQDD)
Civil Society
Quebec City, QC
Link
Grand Challenges Canada
Civil Society
Toronto, ON
Link
Climate Engagement Canada
Civil Society
Toronto, ON
Link
SheEO
Civil Society
USA based
Link
Social Capital Partners
Civil Society
Toronto, ON
Link
Echoing Green
Civil Society
USA based
Link
Alberta Ecotrust
Civil Society
Calgary, AB
Link
Ottawa Climate Action Fund
Civil Society
Ottawa, ON
Link
Green Communities Canada
Civil Society
Peterborough, ON
Link
Youth Impact Challenge
Civil Society
Montreal, QC
Link
Windfall Ecology Centre
Civil Society
Aurora, ON
Link
Clean50
Civil Society
Canada
Link
Future Earth
Civil Society
Montreal, QC
Link
BC Community Impact Investment Coalition
Civil Society
Invermere, BC
Link
Academy for Sustainable Innovation
Civil Society
Toronto, ON
Link
FINCA Canada
Civil Society
Toronto, ON
Link
Engineers Without Borders Canada
Civil Society
Toronto, ON
Link
Aga Khan Foundation Canada
Civil Society
Ottawa, ON
Link
Responsible Investment Association
Civil Society
Toronto, ON
Link
Esplanade Quebec
Civil Society
Montreal, QC
Link
SHARE
Civil Society
Toronto, ON
Link
Finance Montréal
Civil Society
Montreal, QC
Link
Canadian Poverty Institute
Civil Society
Calgary, AB
Link
Venture Lab
Private Sector
Markham, ON
Link
Boann Capital
Private Sector
Toronto, ON & Vancouver, BC
Link
Impact Bridges Group
Private Sector
Guelph, ON
Link
Servus Credit Union
Private Sector
Edmonton, AB
Link
The Cooperators
Private Sector
Fredericton, NB
Link
Ourboro (Neighbourhood Capital)
Private Sector
Toronto, ON
Link
Atlantic Credit Unions
Private Sector
Halifax, NS
Link
NBTA Credit Union Ltd.
Private Sector
Fredericton, NB
Link
OMISTA Credit Union
Private Sector
Moncton, NB
Link
Mortgage360
Private Sector
Calgary, AB
Link
Assiniboine Credit Union
Private Sector
Winnipeg, MB
Link
PenFinancial Credit Union Limited
Private Sector
Ontario
Link
Libro Credit Union
Private Sector
London, ON
Link
Kindred Credit Union
Private Sector
Kitchener, ON
Link
DUCA Financial Services Credit Union
Private Sector
Canada
Link
Changing Habits Solutions Inc.
Private Sector
Montreal, QC
Link
SADC des Laurentides
Private Sector
Sainte-Adèle, Quebec
Link
Umalia
Private Sector
Montreal, QC
Link
Republik
Private Sector
Montreal, QC
Link
SecondMuse
Private Sector
Montreal, QC
Link
AGF Investments
Private Sector
Toronto, ON
Link
GROSCHE International Inc.
Private Sector
Cambridge, ON
Link
Tapestry Community Capital
Private Sector
Toronto, ON
Link
EcoAdvisors Inc
Private Sector
Halifax, NS
Link
AEquo
Private Sector
Montreal, QC
Link
Efficiency Capital
Private Sector
Toronto, ON
Link
Power Sustainable
Private Sector
Montreal, QC
Link
The51
Private Sector
Calgary, AB
Link
Fondaction
Private Sector
Quebec, QC
Link
Social Venture Connexion
Private Sector
Oakville, ON
Link
Skidmore Group
Private Sector
Coquitlam, BC
Link
Genus Capital Management
Private Sector
Vancouver, BC
Link
Marigold Capital
Private Sector
Toronto, ON
Link
Active Impact Investments
Private Sector
North Vancouver, BC
Link
Mackenzie Investments
Private Sector
Toronto, ON
Link
Solar Flow-Through Limited Partnerships
Private Sector
Vancouver, BC
Link
Evok innovations
Private Sector
Vancouver, BC
Link
The Deetken Group
Private Sector
Vancouver, BC
Link
Innovacorp
Private Sector
Halifax, NS
Link
Chrysalix Venture Capital
Private Sector
Vancouver, BC
Link
Pangaea Ventures
Private Sector
Vancouver, BC
Link
MKB & Co
Private Sector
Montreal, QC
Link
Cycle Capital
Private Sector
Montreal, QC
Link
Climate Innovation Capital
Private Sector
Toronto, ON
Link
Rally Assets
Private Sector
Toronto, ON
Link
Good & Well
Private Sector
Toronto, ON
Link
InvestEco Capital
Private Sector
Toronto, ON
Link
Renewal Funds
Private Sector
Vancouver, BC
Link
Arctern Ventures
Private Sector
Toronto, ON
Link
Fonds de Solidarite FTQ
Private Sector
Montreal, QC
Link
Sarona Asset Management
Private Sector
Kitchener, ON
Link
Borealis Global Asset management inc
Private Sector
Montreal, QC
Link
Addenda Capital
Private Sector
Montreal, QC
Link
Farm Credit Canada
Private Sector
Regina, SK
Link
NEI Investments
Private Sector
Toronto, ON
Link
Coast Capital Savings
Private Sector
Surrey, BC
Link
SOFIAC
Private Sector
Montreal, QC, Quebec, QC, Toronto, ON
Link
GI Quo Vadis inc.
Private Sector
Montreal, QC
Link
Windmill Development Group
Private Sector
Ottawa & Toronto, ON
Link
TAS Impact
Private Sector
Toronto, ON
Link
AET Group Inc
Private Sector
Kitchener, ON
Link
TAF
Private
Toronto, ON
Link
Career Development Resources
Leveraging LinkedIn
  • Explore Green Career Centre’s LinkedIn Maximization Guide
  • Read through Green Career Centre’s LinkedIn Sustainability Influencers to Follow articles from 2022 and 2023.  
  • We also recommend following us on LinkedIn, where we regularly share opportunities, resources, and news related to the clean economy.

Networking & Interview Prep

Job Search Resources
  • This report provides a helpful toolkit, case studies, and tips for BIPOC/BAME youth to develop self-knowledge, prepare for job hunting, increase their competence, build sustainability experience, and nurture well-being.
  • Visit Green Career Centre’s Job Application Tracker to manage your applications, update progress, and interview prep. 
  • Check out GoodWork's Job Search Tips & Resources for proactive strategies to find and land the right opportunity.
  • Many job search experts agree that most jobs belong to the hidden job market. To learn about navigating this, read Hidden Sustainability Jobs and Tapping the Hidden Job Market.