Mission:
To combine philanthropic capital with business acumen to build enterprises that serve the world's poor.

Background:
Founded in 2001 with seed funding from the Rockefeller and Cisco foundations, the Acumen Fund works to deliver critical, affordable goods and services such as health care, water, housing, and energy through innovative market-oriented approaches. Acumen's network of investors and advisors includes a wide range of individuals and organizations interested in using entrepreneurial approaches to solve the problem of global poverty, with the ultimate goal of aiding fifty million people through $100 million in investments.

Outstanding Web Features:
The Acumen Fund Web site features videos and photo essays that highlight businesses being started by the poor in developing countries, as well as a map of investments the organization has made and general information about its investments in India, East and South Africa, and Pakistan. The site also provides information about Acumen's water, health, housing, and energy portfolios; its investment performance; and how to get involved with its activities. Visitors to the site can stay up-to-date with the organization's activities through the fund's blog and an RSS feed.