We can’t say for sure, because no data source tracks who provides it, how much is available, or how much has previously been given. That makes pinning down the current state of enterprise capital very difficult, although funders clearly rely too heavily on short-term, program-restricted grants: Larger foundations report that they target 72% of their grants for specific purposes.

 

Abundant anecdotal proof demonstrate EC’s effectiveness as a tool for strengthening and supporting nonprofit impact, including the stories of four organizations profiled in The Blueprint’s case studies. Yet we also know that these practices haven’t yet been brought to scale in any meaningful way. The Blueprint calls on every funder and investor to evaluate its current portfolio and grantmaking practice to assess the opportunity to incorporate enterprise capital and determine which grantees might benefit most from this approach.