Overview
The Market Information Day (MID) on Tuesday 4 August will be held hybrid in Sydney for the first time. Hosted by the Atlassian Foundation, this event is an opportunity to share impact investments in the market and invite discussion.
The Market Information Days (MID) are designed to educate attendees of what impact investing can look like in practice. Rather than presenting a single model, these events showcase diverse for-purpose organisations across the spectrum of impact investments, highlighting:
- how different investments can be structured,
- what “impact first” really means, and
- how capital can be deployed in ways that align with philanthropy’s goals.
The event will include four For-Purpose-Organisations (FPOs) presenting their enterprise impact, followed by a fireside chat with MID "alumnus" Transition Accelerator (TA), a previous FPO presenter. TA will share their market-building journey: from presenting at MID in May 2024 to their current projects and updates.
Presenting FPOs
Australian Centre for Rural Entrepreneurship (ACRE)
Builds the capacity of rural communities and entrepreneurs through skills development, mentoring, and enterprise support programs. A compelling proposition for funders interested in regional resilience, community ownership and rural economic renewal. Their Rural Fund/Community Owned Australia model shows how investment and grant capital can support local asset ownership, employment and long-term community self-determination.
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One Education Foundation
Reduces the digital divide in education by providing affordable, durable technology and support to disadvantaged schools and communities across Australia. Highly relevant to current concerns around digital exclusion, AI access, education equity and e-waste. OEF offers a concrete circular technology model that could be scaled nationally, with a blend of social, education, employment and environmental outcomes.
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Women’s Property Initiatives (WPI)
Provides long-term, affordable housing for women at risk of homelessness through property acquisition, development, and tenancy support. WPI’s Women’s Housing Fund is seeking to use interest-free philanthropic loans to unlock more permanent, affordable homes for women and children, including older women and women escaping family violence.
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Aboriginal Carbon Foundation
Supports First Nations communities to generate carbon credits and income through Indigenous-led land management and environmental projects. Their Carbon Reserve aims to address a real market barrier: Traditional Owners often wait years to receive income from carbon projects. Funders can explore how catalytic capital could provide upfront payments, support Indigenous-led ACCU projects, strengthen ranger employment and build Indigenous verification capability.
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MID presenter update: Transition Accelerator
Transition Accelerator (TA) is an Australian impact organisation deploying blended finance to accelerate the clean energy transition. In this fireside chat, we will hear from Izzy Jensen, Managing Partner, TA, about their experience since presenting at the Market Information Day in May 2024, their current projects and their insights on:
- What catalytic capital can look like in practice
- What it takes to structure blended finance in Australia for climate and nature projects that mainstream commercial finance cannot yet reach
Please note:
- Presenters will share their thoughts and views in conversation but will not offer any financial advice.
- A brief survey will be provided for completion at the end of each presentation.
Event details
Date: Tuesday 4 August
Time:
Online attendance:
- 12:00pm - 2:00pm AEST (ACT, NSW, QLD, TAS, VIC)
- 11:30am – 1:30pm ACST (NT, SA)
- 10:00am – 12:00pm AWST (WA)
In-person attendance: 12:00pm - 2:30pm AEST, including networking over afternoon tea
Location, hybrid event
- Online via Zoom: Meeting link will be provided after registration.
- In-person in Sydney: Atlassian Office, Level 6, 341 George Street, Sydney NSW 2000 (access via Wynyard Street)
Audience
Philanthropic funders, foundations and FGII guests are welcome to attend this event.
We welcome everyone to the Market Information Day (MID). FGII or Philanthropy Australia membership is not required to join the MID.
For questions about this event or FGII, please contact us at fgii@philanthropy.org.au.
FPO Speakers
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Matt Pfahlert, Co-founder & CEO, Australian Centre for Rural Entrepreneurship (ACRE)
Matt is a pioneering social entrepreneur and globally recognised fielder builder for social entrepreneurship. Matt started his first social enterprise in 1993, working with youth-at-risk in wilderness settings and was awarded Young Australian of the Year in 1996. Matt has dedicated his career to the rejuvenation of rural communities through entrepreneurship.
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He co-founded ACRE in 2012 to drive the renewal of Australia’s rural communities so that future generations may thrive. Inspired by his Churchill Fellowship, Matt led the 2016 purchase of the Old Beechworth Gaol, a site famed for its connection to infamous outlaw Ned Kelly. The site is being re-purposed as a national learning centre for community-led rejuvenation.
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Matthew Ciao, CEO, One Education Foundation
Matthew Ciao is Chief Executive Officer of One Education Foundation and holds an MSc in Applied Computer Science. A technologist and long-time advocate for digital equity, Matthew has spent more than two decades working at the intersection of education, innovation and social impact. His work has helped bring affordable, fit-for-purpose learning technology to students across Australia, including remote, disadvantaged and Indigenous communities.
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Matthew has contributed to academic research on big data, analytics and digital learning, and has helped shape One Education’s evolution from early classroom laptop programs into an Australian story of inclusion, access and opportunity.
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Lucy Simms, Chief Commercial Officer, Women's Property Initiatives (WPI)
Lucy Simms is the Chief Commercial Officer at Women’s Property Initiatives, a Victorian community housing provider focused on ending homelessness for women and children. With more than 15 years’ experience across engineering, property development, infrastructure and housing, Lucy specialises in commercial strategy, partnerships and innovative housing delivery models. Lucy leads collaborations between government, developers and philanthropy to accelerate the delivery of affordable housing across Victoria.
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Lucy is also a non-executive director at Bellarine Community Health, Cottage by the Sea, and Building Communities, and brings a strong focus on commercial strategy, governance and partnerships that create long-term social and economic impact across the built environment sector.
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Rowan Foley, Managing Director, Aboriginal Carbon Foundation
Rowan Foley comes from the Wondunna clan of the Badtjala people Traditional Owners of Fraser Island and Hervey Bay in Queensland.
Rowan is the Managing Director of the Aboriginal Carbon Foundation (not-for-profit) company established in 2010. The vision of the Aboriginal Carbon Foundation is to nurture and build a sustainable Aboriginal carbon industry. The aim is to build wealth for Traditional Owners with environmental, social and cultural co-benefits through the ethical trade of carbon with Corporate Australia and international bodies.
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Rowan has consistently played a leadership role in Aboriginal land and sea management, and more recently climate change and carbon farming. He was invited to speak at the UNFCCC in Bonn Germany and attended the Paris Climate Accord at COP 21 as a member of a formal industry delegation from Australia.
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Guest speaker for the MID presenter update
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Izzy Jensen, Managing Partner, Transition Accelerator
Izzy Jensen is Managing Partner at Transition Accelerator, where she works to mobilise capital into climate and nature outcomes in Australia. She has over a decade of experience in decarbonisation and climate investment, including seven years at Morrison and Co leading work beyond renewables across hydrogen, carbon farming, and environmental markets. Izzy brings expertise in investment structuring, due diligence, and blended finance to support scalable climate and nature projects.
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FGII Chair
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Ben Smith, Head, Impact Investing, Paul Ramsay Foundation
Ben is Head of Impact Investing at Paul Ramsay Foundation. Alongside his role at PRF, Ben is the Vice Chair, and Chair of the Investment Committee, for NatWest Social and Community Capital. Furthermore, he holds the position of Impact Investor in Residence at Centre for Social Impact Flinders University.
Prior to joining PRF, Ben was Head of Impact Investment at Esmée Fairbairn Foundation – the UK’s largest impact investing foundation.
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Ben previously established UnLtd’s – the UK’s largest early-stage social enterprise supporter – social investment department and first funds. Other notable activities in the space include co-authoring the CFA UK’s Impact and Investing Certificate, co-Chairing the UK’s Social Impact Investors Group and holding Impact Finance lecturing positions at Cranfield University and University of Westminster.
Originally a management and strategy consultant, Ben is also a former Board Member of Birmingham Symphony Hall and Aston University. |
FGII Deputy Chair
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Bhanvi Kapoor Anand, Portfolio and Partnerships Manager, Snow Foundation
Bhanvi Kapoor Anand is an impact investment professional with 18+ years of experience across banking, philanthropy, and the non-profit sector. She manages the Snow Foundation’s impact investment portfolio, directing capital toward initiatives that advance social equity and inclusive growth. She serves on the FGII steering committee, shaping collaborative impact strategies across philanthropy.
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In 2024, she completed the Observership Program, gaining board governance training through the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) and The Ethics Centre. She holds an MBA from UTS and a Bachelor of Applied Finance from Macquarie University.
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About FGII
The Foundations Group for Impact Investing (FGII), launched in 2023, is designed to support market-building initiatives for foundations and charitable funders interested in starting or currently undertaking impact investing. The FGII plans to support market building through education and origination. The origination activities will primarily be delivered via the Market Information Days (MID).
Do you know a Foundation or Charitable funder who would benefit from joining? Please help spread the word. Find out more about becoming a FGII member.
Philanthropy Australia (PA) membership is not required to join FGII.
Find out how to become a FGII member here.
Learn more about Philanthropy Australia membership.
