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  • March 2021 (Revised November 2022)
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Blue Meridian Partners (A): Scaling for Impact

By: V. Kasturi Rangan
  • Format:Print
  • | Language:English
  • | Pages:20
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Abstract

In 2018, Edna McConnell Clark Foundation in a bold move transferred all its assets to a fund pooled with other General Partners and Limited Partners, called Blue Meridian Partners, to focus substantial long range investments in a few carefully chosen nonprofits.The fund was intended to find proven, scalable solutions to problems that trapped America’s young people in poverty. In addition to discussing the merits and demerits of this new approach to philanthropy, the case poses questions on two particular investments (Youth Villages and Nurse Family Partners) and whether they should receive the next tranche of investments. The (B) case, situated in 2020, describes the many quick decisions taken by the fund in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the calls for social justice, and raises the question of whether and how these decisions are aligned with the long range strategy of the fund.

Keywords

Venture Philanthropy; Scaling; COVID-19 Pandemic; Social Justice; Philanthropy and Charitable Giving; Venture Capital; Business Model; Social Issues; Poverty; Values and Beliefs; Decisions; Corporate Social Responsibility and Impact; Nonprofit Organizations; Investment Portfolio

Citation

Rangan, V. Kasturi. "Blue Meridian Partners (A): Scaling for Impact." Harvard Business School Case 521-090, March 2021. (Revised November 2022.)
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About The Author

V. Kasturi Rangan

Marketing
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Related Work

    • March 2021 (Revised May 2021)
    • Faculty Research

    Blue Meridian Partners (B): Pivoting in a Crisis

    By: V. Kasturi Rangan
    • March 2021 (Revised November 2022)
    • Faculty Research

    Blue Meridian Partners (A): Scaling for Impact

    By: V. Kasturi Rangan
Related Work
  • Blue Meridian Partners (B): Pivoting in a Crisis By: V. Kasturi Rangan
  • Blue Meridian Partners (A): Scaling for Impact By: V. Kasturi Rangan
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