'Impact Investments' Show Strong Returns, Survey Says

An overwhelming majority of "impact investments" met or exceeded financial and social-benefit goals, according to a survey released Thursday. The survey, prepared by the Aspen Institute and the Global Social Enterprise Initiative at Georgetown University, was accompanied by case studies documenting the challenges and successes of the investing strategy.

Impact investing is an approach in which investors attempt to reap both a financial return and a social benefit, such as improved reading rates among young students or reduced recidivism among former inmates.