KINS Innovation Networks
Kinship Earth: The Next Generation of KINS
For over 40 years, KINS Innovation Networks have united visionary leaders to drive social and environmental change. Founded by Susan Davis Moora, these networks foster collaboration, generosity, and systemic impact. Today, Kinship Earth continues this legacy, evolving KINS into a bioregional movement for regeneration.
Guiding Principles
KINS Networks have pioneered cutting-edge solutions across industries. These three key principles have shaped KINS networks globally, ensuring each initiative is built on integrity, generosity, and collaboration:
Applying collaborative, whole-systems thinking to solve pressing social and environmental challenges.
History
It all started in the late 1970s in Chicago, where Susan Davis Moora was an influential female leader in the male-dominated world of high finance.
After noticing how women’s voices were excluded from the industry, she convened a group of female influencers across various fields to support one another through a strategy of generosity. Together, they co-created The Chicago Network, which still thrives today.
The success of that group inspired Susan to launch over 40 KINS Networks across the United States, Nigeria, and Ecuador over 45 years. With each new network, she spent months researching and identifying key influencers who embodied the highest values of KINS, ensuring that every collaboration was rooted in integrity, generosity, and shared purpose.
Over the years, the acronym for KINS has evolved from Key Influencer Network Strategy to Key Innovation Network Strategy, to Key Innovator Network Strategy, and back to Key Influencer Network Strategy. No matter the wording, the core of KINS remains the same: a network of kindred spirits working with universal principles to drive social, economic, and environmental transformation.
In 2007, Alisa Gravitz, President of Green America, took over the management of several KINS groups, integrating them into Green America’s initiatives.
Today, the Center for Sustainability Solutions manages six action-driven networks influenced by the KINS Method.
KINS: A Legacy of Learning & Collaboration
KINS is not just a network—it’s a philosophy and a method. From 2012 to 2017, Susan Davis Moora and Marilyn Levin developed in-person and online KINS Method Training Programs to share this approach with the world. These programs equipped leaders with the tools to launch and sustain KINS networks, fostering collaboration and impact across industries.
While formal KINS training programs are no longer active, their legacy lives on through Kinship Earth, where we continue to apply and evolve the KINS approach in bioregional flow funding and regenerative organizing.
Women's Leadership
& Finance
Empowering women in leadership, business, and finance
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The Chicago Network (1979–present) – A network supporting female cultural leaders in Chicago.
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The Chicago Finance Exchange (1980–present) – Connecting senior women in finance.
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The Committee of 200 (1982–present) – A global network of women business leaders.
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Financial Forum (1983–1995) – Educating Chicago’s wealthiest women on financial management.
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Capital Circle (1995–1997) – Women venture capitalists investing in women-led businesses.
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Visionkeepers Forum (2000–2002) – Enhancing female CEOs' investment expertise.
Social Investing
& Ethical Finance
Pioneering impact investing and ethical wealth management
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Social Venture Network (SVN) (1987–present) – One of the first peer networks demonstrating the "triple bottom line" (people, planet, profit).
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Investors’ Circle (1991–present) – The nation’s first and most active early-stage impact investing network. Merged with SVN in 2018.
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Making a Profit While Making a Difference Conference (1996–1999) – A collaboration platform for social investing, shareholder advocacy, and community development.
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Triple Bottom Line Simulation (2000–2004) – Demonstrating that socially-invested $100M portfolios can meet or exceed conventional returns.
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KINS 4 Philanthropists (2006–present) – A network financing whole-systems change initiatives.
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Ohana Investing Circle (2012–2014) – Integrating higher consciousness principles into finance.
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Climate Safe Lending – Transforming global bank lending to align with climate goals.
Sustainable & Regenerative Business
Supporting industries that drive environmental and social regeneration
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Growing Business Network (1996–2000) – Manifesting micro-enterprise in Nigeria.
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DreamMakers' Forums (1999–2004) – African-American business investment forums.
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Solaria Investors Circle (2000–2005) – Creating a venture capital model for regenerative industries.
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Tipping Point Network (2006–2009) – Advancing sustainability to reach mass adoption.
Clean Energy
& Climate Solutions
Driving innovation in renewable energy and sustainable land use
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Solar Circle (2002–present) – Catalyzing the U.S. solar industry’s rapid growth.
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Soil & Climate Alliance – A network advancing regenerative agriculture supply chains.
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Soil Carbon Initiative – Verifiable standards for soil health and carbon sequestration.
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Regional Regenerative Agriculture – Scaling rotational small grain farming in the Upper Midwest.
Conscious Collaboration
& Life Mission Networks
Self-organizing groups supporting personal and collective transformation
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Destiny Circle (1998) – Helping individuals fund and manifest their life missions.
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Kindred Spirits Network (2003–2005) – Connecting business leaders to purpose-driven work.
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KINS 4 All (2012–2014) – A network supporting social entrepreneurs in fulfilling their missions.
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The Sisterhood (2019–present) – A support network for social and environmental activists.
Environmental Justice & Sustainable Supply Chains
Transforming industries for people and planet health
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Clean Electronics Production Network (2016–present) – Reducing worker exposure to toxic chemicals in electronics manufacturing.
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Non-GMO Working Group (2013–present) – Securing and promoting non-GMO food sources.
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Care First KINS (2013–present) – Promoting an economic model governed by care-first principles.
Bioregional & Indigenous-Led Regeneration
Restoring ecological and cultural landscapes through localized collaboration
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Reciprocity Vilcabamba (Ayni Vilcabamba) (2007–2009) – Ecuadorian villagers developing intercultural ecological projects.
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The Fountain (2013–present) – Revitalizing a global economy based on reciprocity and Indigenous wisdom.
Want to Get Involved at Kinship Earth?
KINS Networks have catalyzed change across industries and movements worldwide. If you’re passionate about bioregional regeneration, collaborative funding, or launching a new KINS network, we’d love to connect. Join us in expanding this legacy and co-creating the future of Kinship Earth.