If Minds Matter Were a Hedge Fund …

We would generate a heck of a return from some very special capital.

Return on capital is one of the primary metrics investment pros use to measure results on the money (i.e. capital) they invest. The best run hedge funds look for a 20% return on capital per year (which is crazy high). They are also hired by well-heeled people to “hedge” risk – and literally attempt to control the future of their money.

Now, let’s take a step back for a minute and insert the word “human” before the word “capital.” The social productivity of a Minds Matter student is astounding.

In fact, according to a study done by Clive R. Belfield of Columbia University, “the return for every $6,730 invested in a Minds Matter student will generate $115,010.00 in economic benefit for both the student and society.”

That’s a 1700% rate of return on “human capital,” or to quote the study, “for every $1 of donor-invested funds, the induced economic impact is $17.” It’s enough to make Gordon Gekko (a famous hedge fund guy in the movies) want to go into education. But this is no Hollywood fantasy, it’s the real impact of what investing your time or your money in a Minds Matter Denver student can mean.

When Past Performance Does Mean Future Results 

Because this the Minds Matter Denver “Genius Blog” sharp readers like you are probably asking, yeah, what’s the catch? And how do I know “induced economic impact” is not just a fancy educational counterpart to some fancy Wall Street term like “collateralized debt obligation”?

Um, the proof here is in the people. If you’ve ever met a Minds Matter student or Mentor you’ll know they are about the most straight-shooting overachievers you can meet. And unlike a stock or bond, you can actually have a conversation with them about how they’ve done in high school so far and see directly how the benefits of Minds Matter impact their future.

Or quote Belfield again, “… (Minds Matter) benefits (are) mediated through higher rates of college enrollment and completion, including higher rates of attendance at selective colleges. This educational enhancement generates benefits in terms of higher incomes, improved health status, and lower social burdens.”

Which is a longer way of making our “induced economic impact” sound totally awesome.

Which it is.

For a PDF of the Belfield study, mentorship opportunities, or to make a donation, contact us on this site.