Over the past few years, venture capitalists’ involvement in social issues has greatly expanded. In its most recent Annual Impact Investor Survey, the Global Impact Investing Network found that impact investing — done for both financial and societal gains — has again picked up momentum over the past year. Assets under management grew to nearly $114 billion globally.

It appears that high returns are far from the only thing on investors’ minds. In reality, venture capitalists have the opportunity to invest a lot more than just money when it comes to charities and social impact projects. Their expertise and connections are just as valuable as their money; perhaps even more so. They offer these organizations the chance to initiate even greater social change. Here are four key ways that can happen:

  1. Treat charity projects like VC pitches: If venture capitalists are involved from an early stage and treat social projects the same way they treat startups looking for funding, it could lead to a lot more long-lasting, scalable, and successful projects.
  2. Achieve impact at scale: Venture capitalists possess unique knowledge and expertise that nonprofit organizations may not have when it comes to growing an enterprise.
  3. Connect with network and other startups: Charities and social impact projects can leverage venture capitalists’ networks to find the financial and human capital necessary to accomplish their missions.
  4. Help charities invest their funds in the future: As partnerships between nonprofits and startups are a two-way street, nonprofits could benefit from investing in startups, just as startups benefit from donating to a nonprofit. Venture capitalists can help guide these investments.

Read the full article about venture capitalists by Charlie Wright at Devex.