Philanthropic funders, foundations, and FGII guests are welcome to attend this event.

When

Thursday 12 December 2024

Online attendees

10am - 12:00pm AEST (QLD)

11am - 1:00pm AEDT (ACT, NSW, VIC)

10:30am - 12:30pm ACDT (SA)

9:30am - 11:30am ACST (NT)

8am - 10am AWST (WA)

In-person attendance: 10:00am - 12.00pm AEST (QLD)

Location, hybrid event

In-person attendees: Brisbane. Venue is TBC.

Online attendees: Meeting link will be provided after registration.

Aims

• • To present an overview and investment considerations of investment-ready organisations (open session)
  • To obtain feedback from FGII members to shape future market information days and FGII (closed session)

Overview

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.

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.

About Market Information Day

The Market Information Day on Thursday 12 December will be held hybrid in Brisbane. 

This event is an opportunity to share impact investments in the market and invite discussion.  

The Market Information Days are designed to educate attendees about the social impact investment landscape and opportunities from social impact funds, charities and social ventures. The event will focus on learning in a mutually supportive environment; newer investors learn from the questions posed by their more experienced peers, and those presenting can benefit from feedback on their ideas. 

Structure (in AEST; QLD time zone)

9:30am arrival for 10am start (in-person only): Table registration, morning tea, networking and socials

10am (online and in-person): Open session, all welcome

• • • • Open and welcome
      • Speaker presentations

11:30am: Light refreshments, networking and socials.

12:00pm: Event concludes

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.

Audience

Philanthropic funders, foundations and FGII guests are welcome to attend this event. 

For questions about this event or FGII, please contact the FGII Program Director Michelle Di Fabio at fgii@philanthropy.org.au. Find out how to become a FGII member here.

If you wish to sign up as a Philanthropy Australia member, please reach out to membership@philanthropy.org.au.

Speakers

TBC

FGII chair

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. 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 Program Director 

Michelle Di Fabio - Program Director for the Foundations Group for Impact Investing (FGII), Philanthropy Australia

Michelle leads the Foundations Group for Impact Investing (FGII) at Philanthropy Australia. The FGII launched in 2023, is designed to support market-building initiatives for foundations and charitable funders interested in starting or currently undertaking impact investing.

Michelle is experienced in strategy, program delivery, education and impact investing. Michelle has held roles including Head of Strategy for Hostplus Superannuation, Relationship Manager for the UN-supported Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) and is the Founder and Director of Strategic Global Advisory (SGA).
 
Michelle is passionate about education and collaboration, and a lecturer in Impact Investing (Sustainable Investment) at The University of Melbourne.
 
Michelle qualified as a Chartered Accountant at PwC and is an alumnus of The University of Melbourne, University of Manchester and Oxford University, where she was awarded a leadership scholarship to study the Social Impact Investing Programme at the SAID Business School. Michelle is a board member of Dodgeball Australia, National student body Financial Management Association of Australia (FMAA) and former Alumni Deputy Chair at The University of Melbourne.

Find out how to become a FGII member here.

Learn more about Philanthropy Australia membership.