I can see clearly now.

I recently created a database of more than 80 private sector funds engaged in social enterprise investments. So what?

As I was mulling over the question of how to make sense of the chaos I just created, an assignment from the Lutheran Community Foundation (LCF - http://www.thelcf.org) comes my way. And then it all makes perfect sense, not necessarily measured in dollars and cents.

The LCF works nationally to help people act on their lives. The foundation provides solutions that match a donor's personal interests and financial circumstances. In layman terms, they manage your gifts and channel them towards organizations and programs that reflect your charitable interests. Ain't the LCF a pretty progressive organization. Custom-fit-grant-making, ever heard that before?

My 3-day consulting assignment with them involves landscaping the social sector investment space. As they add to their already impressive list of charitable fund options, they want to understand the highly electric social enterprise space. As the field of for-profit enterprises built around social objectives using innovative business models gains popularity, more traditional pools of capital are turning their heads this way. The current financial turmoil doesn't help their search for alpha either.

Back to square one, the database of private sector funds. It all fits neatly in to place, doesn't it? As I map these funds according to asset class and return demographics, the picture will become clearer, evident and even more compelling. I have a story to tell, LCF wants to hear it.

I can see clearly now the rain is gone.