The 2022 AFR BOSS Most Innovative Companies list has named Save the Children’s Impact Investment Fund as one of the top 10 finalists in its Most Innovative Government, Not-for-profit and Education list. Now in its eleventh year, the list has revealed the top innovators in 10 categories by assessing the innovation prowess of Australian and New Zealand organisations across 700 plus nominations.
The top-ranking recognition for Save the Children’s Impact Investment Fund acknowledges it as a first-of-its-kind in the not-for-profit sector in Australia, by raising funding from investors to provide loans and equity investments to enterprises that are directly improving the lives of vulnerable children and families.
The success of Save the Children’s Impact Investment Fund in Australia has inspired the recent establishment of Save the Children Global Ventures, to help take these types of innovative finance mechanisms to scale. Led by former Save the Children Australia CEO, Paul Ronalds, Global Ventures aims to complement Save the Children’s traditional grant-making and philanthropy with an increased use of financing capabilities and instruments, including impact funds, loans, guarantees and blended finance.
Save the Children Global Ventures Founder Paul Ronalds says,
“We are very proud that Save the Children Australia has made the AFR BOSS Most Innovative Companies List for the first time. Global Ventures leverages Save the Children’s global operational platform, capabilities and relationships, but has sufficient independence to preserve a more agile, risk-taking and entrepreneurial culture. It’s significant that our impact fund has been acknowledged for innovation and that we are now taking this Australian model to the rest of the world, to help solve the most pressing problems faced by children today.”
