Social Impact Hub launches the new-look Impact Investing Hub
Social Impact Hub announces the relaunch of the new Impact Investing Hub site. First launched in 2017, the Impact Investing Hub supports the growth of the Australian impact investing community by providing an inclusive platform that educates, inspires and connects.
Investors, advisors, social enterprises and charities benefit from a range of free online resources, education as well as online and in-person events. In due course we will be offering a dedicated members network for investors and their advisors to get access to suitable deal flow, advisory services and tailored education support.
Alexandra Lagelee Kean, Impact & Engagement Manager at The Snow Foundation, a Champion of the Impact Investing Hub notes:
“Many people are interested in impact investing – whether it is as a potential investor, a financial advisor or a for-purpose organisation looking for funding – but there is still a lot of confusion about how it works and where to start. The new Impact Investing Hub will go a long way in providing information, connections and resources to remove barriers to impact investing, ultimately unlocking more capital for social good. The Snow Foundation is very pleased to support the Impact Investing Hub to help make impact investing more accessible.”
Why did we create the Impact Investing Hub?
Global impact investing now exceeds USD $1tn. In Australia, while the impact market is relatively still small, it is forecast to grow exponentially to around $500 billion by 2025, from the $30 billion recorded at the end of 2021 according to Responsible Investment Association Australasia (RIAA) data.
Despite this anticipated growth, there are currently a number of barriers preventing the Australian impact investing market from flourishing like it has in other markets, such as the UK.
These barriers include:
Certain investors and advisors still have a limited understanding of the impact investment market, despite its rapid growth in recent years. This has resulted in hesitancy to engage or misconceptions of impact investing;
There can also be a lack of access to active impact investors who can share their journeys and offer guidance; and
Transparency around suitable deal flow can also be challenging for new investors and advisors looking to find and make impact investments.
By providing a range of accessible resources, education and access to community, the Impact Investing Hub aims to address these challenges, bringing inclusivity, awareness, collaboration and transparency to the Australian impact investing market so it can flourish and help us overcome some of the most pressing societal and environmental issues we are facing.
Impact Investing Hub Initiatives
The new site provides a range of free educational content and resources, including:
A Glossary of key impact investing terms;
The Impact Investing Education Playbook with modules on impact investing, impact measurement and revenue diversification;
Articles for investors, advisors and investees;
We are also in the process of developing further content and resources, including:
The Impact Investing Field Guide to Charitable Trusts & Foundations for 2023 (3rd Edition); The Field Guide provides practical strategies and support for Australian charitable trusts and foundations interested in using impact investing to amplify the impact they can make in their communities and the world more broadly, and also includes details of recent deals, market trends, and initiatives to grow the ecosystem.
Planned impact education events:
Impact Investing in Practice: Using Blended Finance, Thursday 27th April 12.00PM - 1.30PM AEST.
Diversifying Revenue One-Day Course for Non-Profits. Join the waitlist for this in-person course.
Investor Map; and
Deals Library (providing notifications of live impact investing opportunities).
We hope the Impact Investing Hub is a helpful resource to support your impact investing journey, whoever you may be. Checkout the refreshed website and sign-up to the community.
Thank you to our Impact Investing Hub champions The Snow Foundation, Yarranabbe Foundation and Manos Foundation, as well as our collaborators Philanthropy Australia, Impact Investing Australia, Impact Investment Summit Asia Pacific and the Responsible Investment Association Australasia (RIAA). Your ongoing support of this initiative has helped us make it a reality.