Greetings dear people,
I gained a death row penpal, Eagle, a Cherokee Indian, after he donated art to a nonprofit where I was a board member. I visited him once in an underground prison in Oklahoma – yes, underground. I froze on my unheated side of the glass and bars as Eagle perspired profusely on his side since the heating system wasn’t turning off. Thanks to an attorney friend of mine, Eagle secured a stay-of-execution since the police lost the evidence for his case twenty years before – and the court sentenced him without it. The attorney found the evidence and organized DNA testing. The result was that the evidence was deemed too old, “too degraded” to test, so Eagle was put back on death row. He called me for the two hours before his execution. The prison still insisted on the 15 minute phone limits, which meant that he called 8 times in the two hours: ridiculous and maddening! If I wasn’t an advocate for prison and criminal justice reform before my few years with Eagle, I certainly was after.
Which brings me to the De-Carceration Fund below. This brilliant fund is one way to address the suffering caused by our criminal justice system. The UnTours Foundation has invested in the fund and we welcome your joining us! The fund was selected last year as one of The Transformative 25: another great resource for investment ideas.
Peace to all,
Elizabeth
Featured Paradigm Shifter
Chris Bentley
Founder and Managing Principal of the De-Carceration Fund
Chris and I have crossed paths various times over shared – and often challenging – investments. He knows how to move things forward!
At Work…
What inspired you to create a fund that addresses the suffering created by our criminal justice system? The inspiration stems from witnessing firsthand the profound and often devastating impacts it has on individuals, families, and communities. The system, as it stands, frequently perpetuates cycles of poverty, trauma, and marginalization, particularly among vulnerable populations.
I saw a critical need for restorative justice and rehabilitation, rather than punishment and exclusion. By creating this fund, we aim to provide support and resources that foster healing, reintegration, and opportunities for those affected by the criminal justice system. Our goal is to address systemic inequities and promote a more humane and just society where everyone has the chance to thrive.
What are you accomplishing through this fund? We are making significant strides in addressing the suffering created by our criminal justice system. The companies we have invested in so far have prevented more than 50,000 people from being jailed, saved families of the incarcerated over $10 million, and connected more than 55,000 formerly incarcerated individuals to jobs and essential services. Our efforts are focused on creating restorative justice, reducing recidivism, and providing opportunities for reintegration, ultimately promoting a more equitable and humane society.
Were you a mission aligned investor before you started the De-Carceration Fund? Yes, I have been a mission aligned investor throughout my entire investment career. I began my journey in impact investing with a community development venture capital fund. Later, I transitioned to Sustain VC, where I served as a principal on one of the Patient Capital Collaborative family of funds. Following that, I had the opportunity to work with impact investment pioneer Josh Mailman at Serious Change Investments. At these funds, we focused on a wide range of impact areas, including environmental sustainability, education, social mobility, and access to healthcare.
Share an example of the fund’s holdings? One of our most recent investments is Good Call, a groundbreaking tech hybrid company that provides a 24/7 hotline service offering crucial support and guidance to individuals following an arrest. They address the need for immediate access to legal support by building rapid response hotline tools. Many legal service providers in the criminal law space struggle with inefficient hotlines due to inadequate tools. Good Call’s Software as a Service (SaaS) solves this issue by offering advanced hotline tools and customer relations management solutions, allowing legal providers to deliver streamlined support from anywhere. With a mission to ensure everyone has access to timely and reliable legal assistance, Good Call’s technology empowers lawyers to operate arrest support hotlines as trusted resources during daunting and confusing times. Their service enables those serving marginalized communities to help individuals make informed decisions about their legal rights and options, mitigating the often overwhelming challenges associated with the criminal justice system.
Who’s running your fund? Lawrence Williams III and I have worked closely together for the past four years building a strong partnership based on our complementary skill sets. We first connected when Lawrence was involved with Social Venture Circle/Investors Circle, where he played a key role in driving new deal flow for the Philadelphia Chapter. With experience as both an operator and investor, Lawrence brings a deep commitment to social justice and supporting underrepresented entrepreneurs.
Who’s invested in the fund so far? We have received investments from nine foundations, three Donor Advised Funds, and one Bank. We also have several Individuals and Family Offices.
What’s the most convincing thing to get others on board with mission aligned investing?
When organizations engage in mission aligned investing with their endowments, it maximizes the alignment between their financial resources and their philanthropic mission, thereby amplifying their impact and effectiveness.
After Work…
Guilty pleasure: Watching sports on TV
Kickback film: “Pele: Birth of a Legend”
Last series you binge-watched: “Ted Lasso”
Favorite caffeine source: Coffee
Sweet or salty: Sweet
Happy place: The trail
A favorite novel: On the Road by Jack Kerouac
Animal friends: Our two dogs, Millie and Howie
Childhood ambition: Astronaut
Biggest challenge: Raising our two children
Music that lifts your spirits: The Grateful Dead
Mission Aligned Investees
Great Article Highlighting the De-Carceration Fund
Thanks to the FINANCIAL TIMES for this coverage from May 30, 2024.
