傳統公益捐助的方式，在今日的環境面臨相當大的挑戰，使得新型態的「社會籌資」開始興起。這種新興的募資平台一方面向資金提供者募集資金，另一方面則將募得的資金用來提供協助給幫助弱勢的組織或受助對象，其目標在於同時創造社會價值並維持經濟收益以自給自足。本研究以「聰明人基金」為研究對象，研究主要發現，聰明人基金引進商業創投的機制，取代傳統的公益捐助，他們投資並輔導新創的社會企業，且嚴謹地衡量這些社會企業的財務報酬及所創造的公共利益。同時，與傳統的商業創投相較，他們的投資屬於「耐心資金」，容許被投資的新創社會企業有一段較長的時間達到損益平衡。這些新創社會企業引進市場機制，創造出金字塔底端的市場，讓經濟弱勢族群以合理的價格購買所需的產品或服務，進而提升自尊並降低對資源提供者的依賴，經濟弱勢族群因此得以提升自立能力並改善生活品質。

Tradition charity-based philanthropy is now encountering unprecedentedly challenges. “Social finance”, an innovative fund-raising approach has thus emerges. This new approach raises funds and provides capital to the disadvantages or supporting organizations, aiming to create social value and financial returns simultaneously. In this study, the researchers undertake exploratory case studies to analyze the approach of the Acumen Fund. The results show that Acumen Fund brings in venture capital practices to replace traditional charity-based philanthropy. They invest in new social ventures, coach these new ventures, and measure their financial and social performance systematically. Compared to traditional business venture capitalists, Acumen Fund emphasizes on the “patient capital” approach, allowing the portfolio companies to break even in a longer time horizon. These social enterprises bring inmarket mechanism to create the BOPmarket and provide low-income consumers with access to products and services at a reasonable price. The BOP people can thus fulfill their basic needs with dignity, and be able to self-sustain in the long run.