The white paper by the Schwab Foundation, in collaboration with SK Group and Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors, presents an alternative to traditional funding models, which have struggled to address today’s pressing social and environmental challenges.The paper introduces the concept of “tradeable impact”: the transformation of verified social outcomes (such as improved education, healthcare, or caregiving) into economic value, creating fresh financial incentives for social enterprises, businesses, investors, and governments.

The paper explores how impact credits could unlock new revenue streams, strengthen corporate sustainability strategies, and lay the foundation for a more inclusive and sustainable economy. Importantly, tradeable impact proposes a new asset class that can be traded on financial markets. Furthermore, blended finance structures could leverage this model to mobilize private capital at scale for social and environmental impact.

Redefining Value: From Outcome-Based Funding to Tradeable Impact

Schwab Foundation & World Economic Forum