BlackRock Impact Opportunities
BlackRock’s purpose is to help more and more people experience financial well-being. We designed BIO to pursue opportunities that have historically been undercapitalized and, as a result, may offer differentiated sources of return. We are committed to being part of the solution, and a force for change – on behalf of our clients, our employees, our shareholders, and our communities.
Impact Themes
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Limited access to affordable healthcare exacerbates disparities and leads to poorer health outcomes and increased financial strain on undercapitalized communities. We finance health & wellness solutions and provide capital to organizations and facilities to promote the holistic wellbeing of communities.
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The absence of affordable financial services leaves undercapitalized communities vulnerable to predatory lending and financial instability. Improving financial inclusion is essential for building financial resilience, enabling wealth accumulation, and fostering economic opportunities. We focus on increasing access to capital and affordable financial services for undercapitalized households and businesses.
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The shortage of affordable housing is a national crisis. The high cost of housing, especially for undercapitalized communities, leaves fewer resources for food, healthcare, education, and other necessities. We aim to increase the supply of and access to affordable housing, and increase minority participation in real asset development.
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Without reliable internet access, undercapitalized communities face barriers to information, education, and economic opportunities, hindering their ability to participate in the digital economy and access essential services. BIO is committed to promoting digital connectivity and information architecture serving undercapitalized communities.
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Education significantly influences an individual’s lifetime earning potential and economic mobility. Undercapitalized communities are less likely to have access to quality education and instructional content. By investing in education, we aim to improve access to, increase participation in and increase affordability of quality education and workforce training across the cradle-to career continuum.
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The shift toward a sustainable economy may overlook undercapitalized communities, leaving them vulnerable to job losses and environmental impacts, necessitating investment to ensure equitable participation and benefits in this transition. BIO invests to increase the adoption of renewable energy and mitigating the negative impacts associated with the transition to a low-carbon economy.
IMM Frameworks
Among the many measurement frameworks available, we have integrated four into our IMM practice. We view the four frameworks as highly complementary to each other, providing a powerful, unified tool for impact assessment.1
Strategy in Action
Explore our investment strategy in action. These videos demonstrate the significant impact our portfolio companies are making within their respective communities.
Portfolio
BIO has executed on 13 investments across 7 impact themes. Each investment reflects our commitment to fostering long-term value, operational excellence, and generating impact for undercapitalized communities across the nation.2
GHI JV
Joint venture to finance the construction of affordable multifamily housing
Industry: Real Estate
Headquarters: Omaha, NE
Invested: 2024
Impact Theme(s): Housing & Diverse Developers
IGS Energy JV
Joint venture to deploy residential solar energy projects in underserved communities
Industry: Renewable Energy
Headquarters: Dublin, OH
Invested: 2024
Impact Theme(s): Inclusive Transition
Conexon
Builder and operator of Fiber-to-the-Home networks in rural America
Industry: Digital Infrastructure
Headquarters: Kansas City, MO
Invested: 2023
Impact Theme(s): Digital Connectivity
Lone Peak Dental Group
Medicaid-focused pediatric Dental Service Organization
Industry: Dental Care
Headquarters: Englewood, CO
Invested: 2023
Impact Theme(s): Health & Wellness
Heritage Grocers Group
Hispanic-focused grocery retailer
Industry: Grocery Retail
Headquarters: Ontario, CA
Invested: 2023
Impact Theme(s): Health & Wellness
Indian Energy
Utility-scale solar micro-grid and storage on tribal lands
Industry: Renewable Energy
Headquarters: Alpine, CA
Invested: 2023
Impact Theme(s): Inclusive Transition
MACRO
Award winning, diverse media company
Industry: Media & Entertainment
Headquarters: Los Angeles, CA
Invested: 2022
Impact Theme(s): Inclusive Media, Financial Inclusion
Acelero Learning
Leading early childhood education platform
Industry: Education
Headquarters: New York, NY
Invested: 2022
Impact Theme(s): Education & Workforce Development
Synergy Equipment
Diverse-owned & -led infrastructure solutions company
Industry: Industrial Machinery
Headquarters: Tampa, FL
Invested: 2022
Impact Theme(s): Financial Inclusion
Retro Fitness
Franchise roll-out of high-value, low-price gyms
Industry: Consumer Retail
Headquarters: West Palm Beach, FL
Invested: 2022
Impact Theme(s): Health & Wellness
Ethos Real Estate
Equity financing with Ethos for the acquisition of an apartment in UT
Industry: Real Estate
Headquarters: Manhattan Beach, CA
Invested: 2022
Impact Theme(s): Housing & Diverse Developers
BRP Companies
Equity financing alongside BRP to construct a housing community in NY
Industry: Real Estate
Headquarters: New York, NY
Invested: 2022
Impact Theme(s): Housing & Diverse Developers
Tricolor Holdings
Auto retail and finance company focused on underbanked consumers
Industry: Automobiles
Headquarters: Irving, TX
Invested: 2021
Impact Theme(s): Financial Inclusion