We believe in hands-on, hearts-in, and feet on the ground efforts.

We are an independent non-profit institute that works with positive impact businesses and sustainable entrepreneurs to facilitate their access to capital, promote employee engagement, and help build sustainable economies.  

We believe in the vision of entrepreneurs, so we work hard to make sure they grow stronger financially in order to have a bigger impact socially and environmentally. And why do they choose us? We have a decade of experience in a thriving field that some still consider “new”. Every day we help others do better by connecting the right people, inspiring new thinking, and accelerating success.

SJF Institute. Helping Entrepreneurs Change the World.

Mission

We connect, inspire and accelerate sustainable entrepreneurs and the fields that support them.

Vision

We envision a thriving socially responsible market that builds environmentally responsible businesses which contribute to the alleviation of poverty, restoration of our ecosystem, and creation of meaningful economic opportunities for all citizens.

Theory of Change

High impact firms are the prime drivers of the economy1. To establish a socially responsible market, we amplify the work of sustainable entrepreneurs who grow high impact firms.

Affiliates: 


SJF Ventures
is an affiliated venture capital fund focused on delivering superior financial returns through investments in high-growth positive impact companies. SJF has a ten-year successful record of assisting visionary and talented management teams in building industry-leading firms. SJF provides strong expertise and networks in the cleantech, sustainability and technology enhanced services sectors.

SJF Ventures specializes in companies with revenues of $1 million to $20 million seeking equity capital of $1 million to $5 million. SJF Ventures manages two funds which have invested in 30 companies that now have aggregate revenues of $500 million, 128 facilities, and more than 6,000 employees. SJF Institute is independent from SJF Ventures financially but taps the expertise of Ventures staff to assist entrepreneurs in preparing for equity financing and accelerating their growth.

Investors’ Circle was founded in 1992 to catalyze the flow of capital to early stage companies that address major social and environmental problems. Over that time, IC has grown to a network of over 150 angel investors, professional venture capitalists, foundations and family offices who are using private capital to promote the transition to a sustainable economy. Since 1992, Investors' Circle has facilitated the flow of over $145 million into more than 220 companies and small funds addressing social and environmental issues. In 2011, IC merged with SJF Institute.


2010 Audited Statements Sustainable Jobs Development Corporation (dba SJF Institute)

1Acs, Parson, and Tracy. “High Impact Firms: Gazelles Revisited,” June 2008