Inaugural $170 million Endowments for Impact Challenge announces winners
The winners of the inaugural Endowments for Impact Challenge are Australian Impact Investments and Koda. The Challenge is a first-of-its-kind open tender competition that brings together six of Australia’s leading philanthropic trusts and foundations who are seeking advisors to assist in managing a combined investment pool of $170 million.
5 key takeaways from the 2025 Impact Investment Summit
The Impact Investment Summit was held at the International Convention Centre in Sydney over 26-27 March 2025. This year marked the 10th year since the Asia Pacific Impact Investment Summit was founded. The event brought together more than 650 delegates including institutional investors, advisors, foundations, family offices, government, organisations and enterprises to explore investment opportunities that couple financial returns, with social and environmental outcomes.
Adam Ognall on his ‘fantastic vantage point’ of philanthropy
Philanthropy Australia’s Adam Ognall has taken on a different focus in his new role as Executive Director Partnerships and Practice. Here, he talks about his vision for driving forward best practice and supporting strong relationships across the sector. In particular, he explains how the information shared in Philanthropy Australia’s recent Better Philanthropy Telescope report fits into our strategy and outlook for 2025.
The Endowments for Impact Challenge: aligning investments with mission
A pioneering collaboration between six of Australia’s leading trusts and foundations is set to reshape philanthropic investments. The Endowments for Impact Challenge is an open tender competition inviting financial advisers to showcase innovative strategies for aligning charitable endowments with responsible, mission-driven investment practices.
Blended finance – philanthropy’s next frontier?
Two workshops on blended finance hosted by Convergence and supported by the Foundations Group for Impact Investing (FGII) and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) were held last week. Convergence is the global network for blended finance that aims to increase private investment in emerging markets and developing economies to advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Agreement. CEO Joan Larrea was the special guest speaker at the events. Here, DFAT’s Steph van Loon reflects on the key insights.
2024 Philanthropy Australia Conference – concurrent sessions
Recordings of the concurrent sessions of the 2024 Philanthropy Australia Conference in Adelaide, 6 and 7 August 2024.
‘Engagement and energy’ in impact investing is growing
Under the Shared Capital theme at the Philanthropy Australia conference, common themes emerged in relation to impact investment. Michelle Di Fabio, Philanthropy Australia’s Program Director, Foundations Group for Impact Investing, reflects on the key issues and discussions, the resounding increase in interest - and what’s needed for continued growth.