Impact Investing Australia

Our CEO David Hetherington joined Minister for Social Services Tanya Plibersek and our SEDI Grant recipient Shaun Christie-David of Plate it Forward to see firsthand the impact of social enterprise in action. The Sydney social enterprise creates culinary and hospitality career pathways for marginalised community members. Each week, Plate It Forward donates more than 2,000 free restaurant-quality meals to locals in need. At Kabul Social (a Plate It Forward restaurant run by Afghan refugees in Sydney’s CBD), David and Minister Plibersek heard compelling stories of how social enterprises can change lives. The SEDI Grant, administered by Impact Investing Australia on behalf of the Department of Social Services (DSS), will help Plate It Forward scale its business model and create more jobs and training opportunities for refugees, migrants and people facing disadvantage. David told SBS News: “We want to see funders and the supporting ecosystem get stronger and deeper. Ultimately the goal is to address the disadvantage and marginalisation that exists in the Australian community and bring more people into employment in the mainstream economy.” Listen to the interview: https://lnkd.in/gmhZDBMJ For more information on SEDI Grants: https://lnkd.in/eAxj6KqC #socialenterprise #SEDIGrants #impactinvesting

📢 WHAT'S NEWS AT IIA? Our latest update covers our recent submission to the Government’s Economic Reform Roundtable, key deadlines for the final round of SEDI Grants, insights from our blended finance webinar with the University of Melbourne and a piece by Wendy Fergie about reshaping how we fund impact at scale. Plus, global market updates from the UK and Asia. Read our update at: https://lnkd.in/gYkEwSY4 #ImpactInvesting #SocialEnterprise #BlendedFinance

Weekend reading: A interesting piece in Impact Investor this week on how AI is rapidly transforming the impact investing landscape. In its latest impact report, UBP - Union Bancaire Privée explores the dilemma AI's rapid expansion poses to impact investors. #ImpactInvesting #AI #SustainableFinance #WeekendReading

Australia could be missing out on jobs, innovation and growth due to a critical funding gap for high-potential impact businesses, especially those led by women and Indigenous founders. In our latest story for OnImpact Media, our guest author Wendy Fergie (Sweef Capital, F5 Collective) calls for a whole-system funding approach, blending VC, growth equity and public co-investment, to unlock private capital and boost the economy. #impactinvesting #inclusivegrowth #womeninbusiness #Indigenousbusiness https://lnkd.in/g5DXJWFM

Interested in deepening your impact or growing as a changemaker? Applications are now open for the next Social Impact Fellowship - a 12-week program designed for purpose-driven individuals across Australia and Aotearoa who want to strengthen their impact, connect with like-minded leaders and turn bold ideas into meaningful action. If you’re curious about the fellowship, join Jessica Mendoza-Roth and the Social Impact Hub team to get a feel for what it offers during a webinar tomorrow (Thursday 24 July at 12pm AEST). Click below for more details. https://lnkd.in/gVXW-ypQ #SocialImpact #Leadership #ImpactFellowship 

Join IIA's Founding Chair, Rosemary Addis, at the Shared Value APAC Summit 2025 in Melbourne on 31 July. Rosemary will speak in the opening and closing sessions of Day 1, and take part in a timely conversation with Tariq Fancy and Mark Kramer on whether current ESG efforts are addressing what truly matters and the 'ESG backlash'. The summit brings together leaders who remain committed to purpose and performance, even in uncertain times. Learn more at: svsummitapac.org Shared Value Project #SVSummitAPAC2025 #SharedValue #PurposeDrivenBusiness

💡 THE POWER OF BLENDED FINANCE TO UNLOCK CAPITAL FOR IMPACT In this recent webinar, our CEO David Hetherington, together with Donna Loveridge from the University of Melbourne, interviewed guest speakers on how blended finance deals are structured and managed, highlighting key differences from traditional finance, risks and considerations for new investors, and lessons from global and Australian dealmakers. The session also covered strategies for aligning diverse stakeholders and navigating roles and challenges throughout the investment lifecycle. Our three leading experts were:  - Vito G. Dellerba, CFA – Managing Director, Sustainable Investing at Canadian pension fund, La Caisse (formerly CDPQ)  - Dr Catherine Brown – Enterprise Professor, University of Melbourne; Board member at IIA and Philanthropy Australia - Ben Smith – Head of Impact Investing, Paul Ramsay Foundation #ImpactInvesting #ImpactMatters #BlendedFinance #SocialImpact #IIA

The social economy is on the rise globally - but what does it mean for Australia’s future? Join the Centre for Social Impact's webinar, which will uncover insights from its latest research and spark conversation about the path forward. Details below.

The Shared Value APAC Summit 2025 brings together business leaders, impact investors and innovators from all sectors who understand that finding solutions to today's challenges represents opportunities for those who are ready to act. The Summit promises: 💡 cross-industry strategic conversations 💡 interactive panels 💡 workshops on collaborative approaches to complex challenges 31 July - 1 August - Melbourne Check out the program and the great line up of speakers, which includes our Founding Chair, Rosemary Addis #SharedValue #Leadership #Impact #impactinvesting https://lnkd.in/gsb4N54T

9AM TOMORROW - FREE BLENDED FINANCE WEBINAR There's still time to register for our webinar, presented in partnership with the University of Melbourne, where we’ll explore the power of blended finance to drive social and environmental outcomes. Hear insights from leaders at Paul Ramsay Foundation, University of Melbourne and Canadian pension fund La Caisse on structuring deals, managing risk and aligning diverse investor goals. 🗓️ Tuesday 17 June 17 9–10am AEST 💻 Free, online event (registration required) Register at: https://lnkd.in/gCZJWGv5 #ImpactInvesting #ImpactMatters #BlendedFinance #SocialImpact #IIA