Venture philanthropy, which originated in the United States, is growing in popularity around the world (and Impetus Trust is proud to be playing a leadership role in helping that to happen). Its effectiveness has been proven by the tremendous growth of the charities and social enterprises that have received support from venture philanthropy funds.
Below are a few examples of organisations that have benefited from venture philanthropy in the USA and in Australia.
USA
Teach For America
Teach For America recruits recent college graduates from all backgrounds and career interests to commit to teach for two years in urban and rural public schools. It provides the training and ongoing support necessary to ensure their success as teachers in low-income communities. New Profit Inc. invested in Teach For America from 2001 to 2006. The impact of this investment was that the number of lives Teach For America touched increased more than three-fold, from 139,000 in the year prior to investment, 2000, to 440,000 in the year after investment, 2007. (Source: New Profit Inc. Annual Report, 2007-08)
Harlem Children's Zone
Harlem Children's Zone Inc. (HCZ) works to "rebuild the very fabric of community life" through a set of programmes that engage local residents and community stakeholders to provide a safe learning environment and positive opportunities for children and families in New York City's Harlem community. Since 2000, The Edna McConnell Clark Foundation has invested in HCZ and in this time HCZ has grown from serving 6,100 youth over a geographic area of 24 blocks in 2000, to over 10,500 youth in 100 Harlem blocks. By 2011, it plans to expand the number of youth served each year to 15,000. (Source: Edna McConnell Clark Foundation)
Pictured above: Impetus charity Teens and Toddlers
Pictured above: former Impetus charity Leap Confronting Conflict
Heads Up
Heads Up provides after-school and summer programmes for at-risk elementary school children in the Washington, D.C. area's most underserved neighbourhoods. Through its intensive, literacy-based program, children gain the skills they need to succeed in school and later in life. Venture Philanthropy Partners invested in Heads Up and over four years it has more than doubled the number of students served daily, expanded its hours of service by 70%, and garnered a parental approval rating of 94%. (Source: Venture Philanthropy Partners).
Australia
Hands on Learning
Hands on Learning offers an alternative learning framework for young people struggling in mainstream education. It provides a supportive in-school learning programme where the young people can reconnect with their school and community. Social Ventures Australia (SVA) invested in Hands on Learning in 2004 and by 2008 the number of participants in the programme had increased from 63 in the year prior to investment to 225 in 2008. As a result of the positive impact of the programme - 89% of participants report a positive impact on their interest in school and engagement with learning - there are plans to introduce the programme into a many more schools. (Source: SVA).
Read more about the impact Impetus has achieved with our portfolio charities and social enterprises.
Impetus gives me the satisfaction of knowing I have made the biggest difference possible with my money.
Adrian Beecroft
Apax Partners, Impetus donor
