Social Impact Investments
Overview
Our aim is to increase our social impact by expanding our social impact portfolio to 20%. We now have 36 active investments worth $19.2M (10.4% of our portfolio), up from the previous year of 30 investments worth $14.8M.
Within the targeted 20% of impact investments, up to a quarter is allocated to catalytic impact investments. These tend to be higher-risk, higher-return investments focused on early-stage ventures with long-term growth potential. Our focus is on benefiting those in need, female-led businesses and promoting diversity, gender equity, and Indigenous economic participation.
Additionally, within our investment portfolio, we have chosen fund managers such as Third Link, Future Generation Investment Company (FGX) and Future Generation Global Fund (FGG) for their philanthropic and charitable nature. Our earned investment income of $241,358 was distributed to: St John’s Care, Beryl Women Incorporated, The Farm Galong, Karinya House for Mothers and Babies Inc, Right to Work, Roundabout Canberra, Doris Women’s Refuge, Domestic Violence Crisis Services, Australian Women Donor Network, Global Sisters Limited, Good360 Australia, Sober in the Country, The Violet Initiative, Social Impact Hub Foundation – Deadly Runners, Bus Stop Films, The Reconnect Project – Laptops for Learning (Parramatta), Plate it Forward, With You We Can, Turbans 4 Australia, Sydney Community Foundation – Karen Iles Sexual Assault Victims Justice Fund, Top Blokes Foundation, The Social Outfit Incorporated, Orana NSW Inc, Waminda: South Coast Women’s Health & Wellbeing.
New Committed Impact Investments 2023/24
Clean Slate Clinic* $500k – Telehealth detox from alcohol and other substances
Covidence* $250k – Advance health and promote the prevention and control of diseases
in humans
Arc Social Impact Bond* $250k – Support disadvantaged individuals leaving prison with the resources to rebuild their lives and break the cycle of reoffending
Conscious Investment Management Social Housing Fund II $500k – Social and affordable housing
First Australians Capital Catalytic Impact Fund* $500k – Indigenous-led organisation that focuses on providing affordable and flexible financing to Indigenous entrepreneurs and businesses
Tender Funerals* $250k – Provides compassionate, affordable, and meaningful funeral services
Existing Committed Impact Investments 2015-2023
Australian Unity Disability Housing $2M – Disability accommodation
Conscious Investment Management Impact Fund $500k – Disability accommodation, social and affordable housing, distributed energy generation/energy transition, social impact bonds
Conscious Investment Management Social Housing Fund I $500k – Social and affordable housing
For Purpose Investment Partners Social Impact Fund I $1M – Disability accommodation, affordable housing, mental health, skills education and training
Giant Leap Fund I $250k – Invest in companies whose mission is to create a sustainable society
Giant Leap Fund II $500k – Empower people, health, well-being and sustainable living
Murray Darling Basin Balanced Water Fund – $1M – Environmental watering in wetlands of spiritual and cultural significance to First Nations People
Melior Australian Impact Fund $3.4M – Invest in companies with core businesses creating net positive impact in line with UN Sustainable Development Goals
Melior Australian Impact Fund $3.4M – Invest in companies with core businesses creating net positive impact in line with UN Sustainable Development Goals
Palisade Impact Fund $500k – Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and waste
Patamar Fund II $750k – International fund: low-income communities, companies in agriculture, e-commerce, health care and financial
Synergis $500k – Specialist disability accommodation
AbilityMade* $550k – Custom-made 3D printed ankle-foot orthoses for children
Enabler* $250k – Workforce training for disability and aged care support workers
Jigsaw* $250k – Disability training and employment
Kindship* $250k – Plan management support for parents raising children with delays, neurodivergence and disabilities
MoreGoodDays* $200k – Evidence-based online program for pain management
Ngutu College* $350k – Independent, not-for-profit school integrating Aboriginal knowledge with formal curriculum through experiential learning
Seer Data & Analytics* $200k – Evidence-based online program for fibromyalgia pain management
Aspire Social Impact Bond $250k – Social housing addressing homelessness
Compass Social Impact Bond $300k – Housing and support to young people exiting out-of-home care
Resolve Social Impact Bond $200k – Health initiatives
Future Super $200k – Australia’s first ethical super fund for women, by women
CSIRO – three distinct funds $1.25M – Invest in technology and science ventures with potential to disrupt
Social Ventures Australia Fund $500k – Invest in impact: housing projects, education, employment, housing, First Nations, disability, health
SEFA Loan Fund $300k – Affordable housing, Indigenous training/employment, refugee services
CSL Limited $356k – Global biotechnology company – products to treat/prevent human medical conditions
ResMed Inc $228k – Medical equipment company specialising in treatment of sleep-related breathing disorders
Cochlear $431k – Design, manufacture and supply the Nucleus cochlear implant, the Hybrid electro-acoustic implant and the Baha bone conduction implant
* Catalytic impact investments