Ulrich Frei: Transforming social impact in Latin America Ulrich Frei (MBA 1986) has spent the last 16 years reshaping FUNDES, an organization focused on empowering micro-, small-, and medium-sized businesses across Latin America. After a global career with Novartis, Frei pivoted to social impact, determined to use business as a tool for sustainable change. At IMD, Frei honed the leadership skills that helped him transition FUNDES from a philanthropic foundation to a self-sustaining, profit-driven entity. “Our main goal is to create value by helping small businesses grow, lifting their owners from – in some cases – extreme poverty into the middle classes,” Frei explains. Thanks to his IMD MBA Program experience, Frei has been able to tackle the complex challenges of Latin America’s economies, helping build sustainable businesses and stronger communities. “I have never enjoyed working as much as I do now,” he adds, highlighting his passion for lasting social impact. Learn more about Frei's journey: https://bit.ly/4d4WpZS #IMDImpact #SocialImpact #Leadership
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Many organizations are shifting from program investments to those that address the “ecosystem” of an issue. Yet, as strategies shift toward greater investment in ecosystem change, how an organization measures and evaluates its work has largely remained the same. Ecosystem investments are characterized by a focus on creating system-level change by influencing specific stakeholder groups such as policymakers, high-net-worth individuals, business leaders, entrepreneurs, and others. Learn about evaluation of ecosystem investments here: https://lnkd.in/dubpW55x #philanthropy #systemschange #socialimpact #socialchange #philanthropicfunding #evaluation
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🚀 FSI's Impact Report: Unleashing Potential with Our Online Knowledge Hub 📚 📣 At FSI, we collaborate with our Impact Lab Course students and subject matter experts to curate a rich library of resources for under-resourced entrepreneurs and social impact leaders. These resources are crafted to empower robust partnerships and accelerate business development across Hong Kong. Whether you're looking to enhance your fundraising and financing efforts or team productivity, or navigating legal compliance issues, we've got you covered. 📈 By the Numbers - 41 resources and templates in our Social Impact Knowledge Hub - 51 comprehensive toolkits developed for the Entrepreneur's Toolkit 🔍 Featured Insights: 🛠️ Navigate Tax Exemption for Charities in Hong Kong 🛠️ Master the BUD Fund for Business Expansion 🛠️ Cultivating Intellectual Humility to Be a Better Leader 🤝 A huge thank you to the 42 Impact Lab Course students, 24 corporate volunteers, and five corporations for contributing their expertise to creating these resources. Together, we're creating a stronger, more informed community! ✨ Check out our 5-year impact report here 👉🏽 https://lnkd.in/ghJGCTmC 📧 Get in touch with us at info@shared-impact.com if you would like to work with us to build a better future for all. 💰You can also make a tax-deductible donation to support our work https://buff.ly/3rPmjzs #sharedimpact #forimpact #socialimpact #crosssectorcollaboration #broadcollaboration #sharedresources #knowledgeexchange #SharedData #HongKong #sustainabledevelopment #SDGs #systemschange #leadership #leadersoftomorrow #effectiveleaders #entrepreneurship #startup #innovation #diversityinbusiness #makeadifference #nonprofit #giveback #onlineresources
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Are you interested in Asia's social impact landscape? AVPN's journey, detailed in a new Cambridge case study, is a compelling read! Remember AVPN as just a venture philanthropy network? Think again! Cambridge Judge Business School's case study by Dr. Shonali Banerjee reveals AVPN's evolution from connecting philanthropists to building a powerful social impact ecosystem across Asia. Imagine philanthropy not just about giving money, but building the infrastructure for lasting change. This is AVPN's story. ✅ Funders & NGOs collaborate to tackle pressing issues. ✅ Corporations & Public Sector join forces for greater good. ✅ Knowledge Sharing & Innovation fuel impactful solutions. The result? A movement for systemic change across #Asia. What's next? We're constantly evolving, fostering deeper connections and amplifying impact for Asia's future. Want to dive deeper? Read the Cambridge Judge Business School case study to see how AVPN has evolved. 🔗 : https://bit.ly/3xHYMDD) #AVPN #Philanthropy #SocialImpact #EcosystemBuilding
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Should founders move on ? ------------------------------- The idea that founders who stay on in the non profit organisations they have created is actually harmful to the same is a growing belief...but mostly among those who have NOT necessarily played a part in creating the organisation themselves - donors, volunteers, staff , service users perhaps...Founders find themselves "pressured" to bring on professional CEOs who sometimes do not live up to expectations of the founder . CEOs find themselves having to manage inherited boards , Board members align to the founder through relationships built over many years ...and it leads to time and energy being spent on just making this work. Of course, there seems to be not enough data to prove that CEO led Boards and organisations when the founder has left or even when around impact the social outcomes or the mission accomplishment significantly . Are we then as a sector obsessing about this a tad too much ? Should the discussion stem from the potential impact on the social outcomes if transition were to be considered ? And what if founders decide to continue to run their organisations as long as they desired to ? As those engaging with such organisations, the choice to do so or not exists anyway The Centre for good governance at ISDM is doing a research on this topic to find out more. Please do take a moment to fill out this survey if you are planning succession, have views on the same . We will share all findings in the form of a report shortly . Please only respond to this survey if you the founder or the CEO of your organisation https://lnkd.in/gfhpDuyJ #ceos, #boardmembers. #goodgovernance , #ngos , #successionplanning, #transition , #ceo, #founder , #donor , #director , #professionalceo
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𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗩𝗣𝗡 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗔𝘀𝗶𝗮 𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰 𝗸𝗶𝗰𝗸𝘀 𝗼𝗳𝗳 𝘁𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟵𝘁𝗵, 𝗶𝗻 𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗻𝗻𝗮𝗶, 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗮! This year’s summit brings together a diverse group of leaders and innovators to tackle some of the most pressing challenges of our time, including climate change, social investment, access to essential services and strategic investments. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘰𝘢𝘭? 𝘛𝘰 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘦 𝘢 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘴𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘦𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘧𝘶𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘨𝘪𝘰𝘯. We are excited that Our Founder, Leena Dandekar, will be speaking at today’s session on "𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗕𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲: 𝗢𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗚𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱." Effective charity governance ensures organizational integrity, accountability, and long-term sustainability. However, too much governance can sometimes stifle innovation, hinder mission delivery and slow impact. This session will explore the urgent need for a governance reset, addressing both the challenges and opportunities facing the nonprofit sector. Leena will share her expertise on optimizing governance structures to create greater impact and agility, empowering organizations to scale their mission. Looking forward to a day of learning, networking and collaboration! #AVPNSouthAsia #CharityGovernance #AVPN2024 #NonprofitInnovation #SustainableImpact #GovernanceReset #SocialChange #AVPNSummit #Leadership AVPN
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A few years ago at a funder conference (those post-mixer parties) a program officer let it slip that they were going to pull back funding on half their grantees next quarter. They quickly widened their eyes, looked at the drink, then me. “It’s just leadership feels like we fund too many similiar groups, and the investment net is too wide.” Did you know that how we direct resources says more about our vision for the future than anything else? For movements to thrive, we must balance the urgency of rapid response with deep, sustained investment. And funding a single organization working on a cause just ain’t cutting it. Reacting to the moment isn’t enough; we need systems where funding is auto-renewed at scale, with the flexibility to seize critical opportunities as they arise. Invest in us deeply. My dearest funders, watch those drinks—but also, have grantees and movement leaders in your “investment net” strategy meetings. Change happens in waves—some slow, some fast—and our resources must adapt accordingly. We are stronger together. We are stronger when resourced. We can not expect one organization, or three organizations, to just hold down a movement. Philanthropy must hold the breadth, nuance, and depth of the movements they’re ‘invested’ in. I know, I know, I’m always telling philanthropy: more, longer, now. But *cough* 👀 More Resources. Longer Commitments. Now. #AskMe #AskSade #SadeKnows I’ll tell you some of my ideas on how.
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🚀 Calling for impact innovators Applications are now open for the 100x Impact Accelerator 2025, powered by The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) Marshall Institute. This groundbreaking program is designed to support bold ideas that can create transformative global change. Whether you're leading an early-stage organization or scaling a proven solution, this accelerator provides an opportunity to receive £150,000 in funding, mentorship, and a tailored support program to maximize your impact. Key benefits include: • Equity-free funding of £150,000 • Access to a world-class network of investors, funders, and global organizations • Expert mentorship and guidance from LSE's global community of impact leaders • A tailored program to scale your solution If your initiative focuses on areas like climate action, poverty alleviation, education, health, or social justice, this is your chance to take it to the next level. Advisors and mentors of the programe include: Leslie Labruto, Stephan Chambers, Saul Klein, Archana Srivatsan, Chesca Colloredo-Mansfeld, Lucy Kanya, Adeolu Adewumi-Zer and Alex Heath. 📅 Applications: https://lnkd.in/eaTaTHmb Know someone who could benefit from this opportunity? Tag them in the comments matteria Beatriz White Correa Mariajosé Pajares Lucía Sagardoy Arce Xoán Fernández García Craig Zelizer Kariny Franco Leda Acosta Laura Giraldo Davila Jennifer Nixon Castillo Jess Gomora Monique Gomes Valentina Zavala Saenz Paola Cubides Diana Arboleda López Letícia Florence Lelot Red de Impacto LATAM Vania Donoso De Andrade Ana María De La Espriella Casas Jessica Sanchez Dubon Victoria Gardella B Lab Sistema B #SocialImpact #Innovation #100xImpactAccelerator #GlobalChange #EquityFreeFunding #ScaleYourImpact #LSE #Nonprofit #ClimateAction #PovertyAlleviation #Health #Education
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Masterclass | Philanthropy Australia Conference | Monday 5th August Exploring approaches to systemic change platforms, with a focus on challenge-led innovation, field building, and systems entrepreneurship. This Masterclass, hosted by Liz Gillies, CEO of the Menzies Foundation, aspires to equip attendees with essential skills, knowledge, and capabilities, including: 💡 Systems Thinking Participants will be introduced to systems thinking methodologies, enabling them to view problems holistically and identify leverage points for effective intervention, encouraging a deeper understanding of the root causes of issues and promoting more strategic, long-term solutions. 💡 Catalytic Philanthropy The session will cover the principles of catalytic philanthropy, emphasising how philanthropic efforts can be directed to trigger significant, systemic change. Attendees will learn how to leverage their resources, influence, and networks to create a ripple effect that drives broader social impact. 💡 Innovation Frameworks Attendees will explore various innovation frameworks that can be applied to develop and implement creative solutions to complex problems. These frameworks will provide a structured approach to innovation, from ideation to execution, ensuring that initiatives are both effective and scalable. This Masterclass offers a unique opportunity for philanthropy trustees and practitioners, not-for-profits, consultants, and researchers to gain valuable insights and practical tools for driving systemic change. 🌟 🔗 Register now: https://buff.ly/4cxv9UL #SystemsChange #ChallengeLedInnovation #SystemsEntrepreneurship #PhilanthropyAustralia #SystemsThinking #CatalyticPhilanthropy #InnovationFrameworks #FieldBuilding #SocialInnovation #Leadership #Philanthropy
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Today, women are accessing capital and resources in new ways, from philanthropic investment to start-up capital. Not only do they have a seat at the table – they’re securing the dollars they need to catalyze a new wave of social ventures. Here’s how women are leveling up – and unlocking potential for generations to come. Join us in the #EqualityLounge at #WEF24 as we explore: How VCs and funders are investing in and supporting women-owned ventures. How philanthropy, donor advised funds and impact investing provide new opportunities for women-led projects. Strategies to ensure women can continue to access resources and capital. How women leaders are supporting women-led ventures. • Alison Moore, CEO, Comic Relief US • Megan Cunningham, CEO, Magnet Media, Inc. • Megan Holston-Alexander, Partner, Head, Cultural Leadership Fund, Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) • Katarina Wangler Björk, Chief Climate Policy Officer, Doconomy • Tanvi Girotra, Founder and Principal Consultant, Enable and Founder, Becoming I Foundation
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We are thrilled to announce the speakers for 'TENSIONS 2: Systemic Investing - What’s the hype, and how can you be involved?' Systemic investing is generating growing interest in Canada and around the world. Philanthropic organizations, businesses and governments are getting involved. But what’s the potential of systemic investing? What are the use cases? This session explores the ins and outs of systemic investing, drawing on examples from around the world. Speakers: Raj Kalia, Mission Lead - DM Capital Systems, Board Member, Dark Matter Labs Dominic Hofstetter, Executive Director, TransCap Initiative Anastasia Mourogova Millin, Senior Lead, Innovative Finance Moderated by Ilse Treurnicht, Managing Partner, TwinRiver Capital Hosted Online. Learn more and register for the 2024 Social Finance Forum here: https://lnkd.in/gDYGkZfy - Only 6 days to go! #sff2024 #socialfinance #impactinvesting #futureofgood #diversify #funding #cdnpoli #capitalshift #indigenousfinance #corporateimpact #genderequity #philanthropy #socialpurpose #socialimpact #changemakers #sustainablefuture #equitablecapital #canadianleadership #socialinnovation #leadership #socialfinancefund
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