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 is paid out in instalments over a period of several years. 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.
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 several years. This is divided into three phases:
Plan phase - 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 - 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.
Transform phase - For a small number of Impetus charities and social enterprises for which we believe there is significant growth potential beyond the Scale-up phase, which could be realised with ongoing Impetus support, we enter into a third phase of investment. This involves a bespoke package of targeted support including funding, management and specialist support.
Read more about the impact of our venture philanthropy model across our portfolio of charities and social enterprises. If you represent a charity or social enterprise interested in our support, please first review our selection criteria.
The input of skills, expertise and money from Impetus have enabled us to take bold steps which otherwise we would never have had the capacity or ability to do.
Pete Lawson
Former Chairman of Leap Confronting Conflict