Bridges Impact Foundation is a financial investment and education group that provides resources and training to promote Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance (ESG)-related causes in the investment industry. ¹

In 2022, the foundation received a grant of $150,044 from the Rockefeller Foundation, a major supporter of left-of-center advocacy groups. ²  The foundation also partners with the United Nations Development Programme, Principles for Responsible Investment, Global Steering Group for Impact Investment, and the International Finance Corporation, a private financing extension of the World Bank. ³

The Bridges Impact Foundation is staffed by individuals affiliated with left-of center causes. The group’s president, Brian Trelstad, has worked for the National Wildlife Federation. ⁴ Tasha Seitz, a board member, serves as an advisor to Echoing Green, a left-leaning environmentalist group. ⁵ Michele Giddens, the group’s secretary, and Michael McCreless, a program manager for the foundation, previously worked for the International Finance Corporation. ^{6 7}

Activities

The Bridges Impact Foundation develops and hosts educational forums, trainings, workshops, and other programs to promote Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance (ESG) activism in finance. ^{8 8} ESG activism refers to individuals and organizations that advocate for left-of-center environmental policies and social or racial justice philosophies, as part of evaluating business operations.

The foundation sponsors three programs:  the Impact Management Project, Impact Frontiers, and the MBA Impact Investment Network and Training. ⁸ The Impact Management Project is a network of left-of-center groups seeking to promote ESG. ^{3 8} Impact Frontiers is an investor education and resource allocation program that works to encourage investors to allocate funds to address “social and environmental challenges” in the world. ⁹ The MBA Impact Investment Network and Training coordinates educational opportunities on social impact investing for university students in a partnership with the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business. ⁸

The foundation also retains an ownership stake and veto power over the Bridges Fund Management company. ³

Funding

In 2020, the Bridges Impact Foundation reported a total revenue of $288,144, with expenses totaling $439,243, leaving a net income of -$151,099. ⁸ In 2022, the foundation received a grant of $150,044 from the Rockefeller Foundation to impact social “change in people’s lives and communities.” ²

Partner Organizations

The Bridges Impact Foundation established and maintains a network of social development groups, including the United Nations Development Programme, Principles for Responsible Investment, Global Steering Group for Impact Investment, and the International Finance Corporation, a private-sector auxiliary of the World Bank. ³

People

Brian Trelstad is the president of the Bridges Impact Foundation. ⁸ He is also on the boards of Candid and Impact Capital Managers. ^{4 10} Trelstad served as director of the Center for National Service and Environment at the Corporation for National Service, founder and executive director of the Center for Environmental Citizenship, and a regional organizer for the left-leaning environmentalist group National Wildlife Federation. ⁴ He is formerly a Henry Crown Fellow at the Aspen Institute. ^{11 4}

Michele Giddens is the secretary of the foundation. ⁸ Giddens previously worked with the International Finance Corporation. ⁶

Michael McCreless is the program manager for the foundation. ⁸ He also worked with the International Finance Corporation. ⁷

Brian Walsh serves as the foundation’s treasurer. ⁸ Walsh serves as group head of sustainability, managing ESG efforts at the financial firm TP ICAP. ¹²

Tasha Seitz is a board member for the foundation. ⁸ Seitz also serves on the investor advisory group of the left-leaning environmentalist group Echoing Green and founding partner of the Chicago branch of Social Venture Partners. ⁵

1. “Bridges Impact Foundation Ltd. Trustees’ Annual Report & Accounts For the Year Ended 31 March2019.” New York, New York: Bridges Impact Foundation, March 31, 2019.
2. “Bridges Impact Foundation 2022.” The Rockefeller Foundation, December 12, 2022. https://www.rockefellerfoundation.org/grant/bridges-impact-foundation-2022/
3. “Impact Foundation.” Bridges Fund Management. Accessed December 14, 2022. https://www.bridgesfundmanagement.com/us/bridges-impact-foundation/.
4. Trelstad, Brian. Brian Trelstad – Greater Boston | Professional Profile | LinkedIn. Accessed December 14, 2022. https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-trelstad-33721.
5. Seitz, Tasha. Tasha Seitz – Partner – Impact Engine | LinkedIn. Accessed December 15, 2022. https://www.linkedin.com/in/tashaseitz.
6. Michele Giddens.” Bridges Fund Management. Accessed December 14, 2022. https://www.bridgesfundmanagement.com/us/team/michele-giddens/.
7. McCreless, Mike. Mike McCreless – Executive Director – Impact Frontiers | LinkedIn. Accessed December 15, 2022. https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-mccreless.
8. “IRS Form.” Bridges Impact Foundation. Accessed December 14, 2022. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/813815673/202123129349304422/full
9. Firdaus, Alfian. “About Impact Frontiers.” Impact Frontiers icon frontiers small, August 5, 2020. https://impactfrontiers.org/mission/.
10. “Brian L. Trelstad.” Brian L. Trelstad – Faculty & Research – Harvard Business School. Accessed December 14, 2022. https://www.hbs.edu/faculty/Pages/profile.aspx?facId=1132519.
11. “Brian Trelstad.” Bridges Fund Management. Accessed December 14, 2022. https://www.bridgesfundmanagement.com/us/team/brian-trelstad/.
12. Walsh, Brian. Brian Walsh – Group Head of Sustainability – TP ICAP | LinkedIn. Accessed December 15, 2022. https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianjwalsh.