2023 Impact Tear Sheet

Our 2023 impact data is the result of a comprehensive survey and analysis of the environmental and social impacts of the firm’s 40 active portfolio companies.

SJF Ventures: Our 2023 Impact

Every year, we ask our active portfolio companies to complete our Annual Impact Survey. We believe impact reporting should be a collaborative process, with input from all stakeholders — including Limited Partners, our portfolio companies, and their beneficiaries. Our 2023 impact data is the result of a comprehensive survey and analysis of the environmental and social impacts of the firm’s 40 active portfolio companies.

Our Approach to Impact Reporting

Measurement and reporting have long been important functions for impact investors like SJF. Our 2023 Impact Survey is the result of the ongoing evolution of our practices — a change in strategy that aims to find the right balance between standardized metrics and actionable, company-specific measurements. Our approach to impact reporting applies a set of unique metrics for each portfolio company, in addition to standard questions tracking quality jobs-related metrics, workforce diversity and other ESG factors.

In 2022, after researching the IMM data platform market, we partnered with UpMetrics. The UpMetrics platform provides SJF with greater visibility and analytical capabilities, and it enables easier sharing of insights with portfolio companies and limited partners. Our 2023 Impact Report includes several company-specific data visualizations provided by UpMetrics; these visualizations will be updated regularly as new data becomes available, providing transparency into the progress achieved by our portfolio companies.

Measuring Job Quality Across the Portfolio

From our inception in 1999, SJF has backed businesses that empower people — particularly those historically marginalized. Creating quality job opportunities in healthy, diverse, and ethical workforce environments can generate deep societal impact. There have been 14,249 new jobs created by our portfolio companies since our initial investment.

We compared our portfolio data to industry benchmarks, where available.

100%

offer healthcare benefits

90%

offer a retirement plan

~70% of private US businesses offer retirement benefits (58% of small businesses)
89%

gave bonuses last year

46%

offer wellness benefits

Comparable industry benchmark: 41%
89%

have a formal Employee Handbook or Code of Conduct in place

68%

have a formal DEI policy

61% of US companies have policies in place for fairness in pay and hiring; 54% have explicit DEI programming
82%

have formal performance management and feedback processes

61%

conduct an employee satisfaction survey, with an 81% median response rate

Comparable industry benchmark: 74%

Investment Areas and Portfolio Company Successes

SJF invests across six sectors to address climate change and inequity. In each sector, portfolio companies are making significant strides to increase their impact:

Energy, Carbon, and Climate Resilience

Supply Chain and Circular Economy

Sustainable Products and Systems

Education and Employment

Health and Wellness

Government and Civil Society

About SJF Ventures

 

Sustainable Jobs Fund was formed in 1999. Our original name set out the impacts we still pursue today—a clean, resilient environment and equitable opportunities. Though our strategy has expanded over our 25+ years of experience, we remain committed to these fundamental themes. Since SJF’s founding, we have helped 86 portfolio companies to scale their impact.

For more on SJF’s impacts, visit our impact page.