We work with carefully selected charities and social enterprises for a defined period of time to help transform their impact. We provide these organisations with a package of support that is based on the venture philanthropy model.
Our venture philanthropy model consists of three key components:
1. Strategic funding
Capacity-building grant funding, typically of up to £500,000 in
total, is paid out in instalments over a 4-6 year period. It is
linked to achievement of pre-agreed milestones.
2. Hands-on support from the Impetus investment
team
Each portfolio charity or social enterprise is assigned an Impetus
investment executive, who oversees the relationship and meets the
chief executive of the investee organisation monthly. The
investment executive provides support and guidance on an ongoing
basis.
Read a first-hand account of
what it is like to work with Impetus, from the Chief Executive
of IntoUniversity.
3. Specialist support for capacity building, from
experts who volunteer their time
The charity or social enterprise and investment executive
agree specific projects to be undertaken by highly skilled Impetus pro bono experts.
These projects will be in areas of specific need, for example
financial reporting or business planning. The support may be from
an individual working on a project, or it may be from a small team.
Read more about the types of projects undertaken by our
pro bono experts experts.
Organisational support
We only work with a whole organisation, to help it grow its
impact. We do not support isolated projects.
Length of investment
Typically we work with a portfolio charity or social enterprise
for between four and six years. This is divided into two
phases:
Planning phase, lasting 12 to 18 months - The main objective of this phase is to develop a growth plan. This phase may also involve defining the delivery model further and strengthening the organisation's capacity.
Scale-up phase, lasting 3 to 5 years - In this phase we support the organisation to implement the growth plan. Clear objectives are agreed, including targets for increasing income and the number of people helped. Aside from these, key performance indicators will be agreed.
Read more about the impact of our venture philanthropy
model across our portfolio of charities and social enterprises.
Philanthropic giving can be such a pleasure. I find that the more I give away, the richer I feel.
Dame Stephanie Shirley
UK Ambassador for Philanthropy 2009 - 2010