A year of impact and opportunity

Message from IIA CEO
Welcome to our first newsletter of 2025 – a year that presents new opportunities to deepen our understanding, expand our reach and drive meaningful change.
In this update, we’re calling on investors and advisors (active and those not yet involved in impact investing) to contribute to our Australian Benchmarking Impact Market Sizing Survey. This is a critical initiative that will help shape the future of our sector.
We’re also excited to share news on the SEDI Grants, which have attracted strong interest and are supporting incredible social enterprises that are scaling their impact. Our thought leadership continues in On Impact, where we are exploring key impact investing concepts. We’re keen to engage in the discussions at the upcoming Impact Investment Summit Asia Pacific, where you can access an exclusive IIA ticket discount. Beyond our borders, we also take a look at global impact investment news.
We’re optimistic about impact investing in 2025 and look forward to working alongside you to drive capital towards solutions that benefit people and the planet.
Best wishes
David
David Hetherington, CEO
Impact Investing Australia
Have your say in our Benchmarking Impact Market Sizing Survey

There’s just a few weeks left to help us shape the future of impact investing by participating in the Australian Benchmarking Impact Market Sizing Survey. We invite investors and advisors (those active and those not yet involved in impact investing) to contribute valuable insights that will inform the Benchmarking Impact Report, led by IIA and the Centre for Social Impact at UNSW. The survey results will provide up-to-date data on impact investment flows, preferences and performance, aiming to drive transparency and growth in the sector.
- Participate in the survey
- Review your eligibility
- Survey takes ~30 minutes
- Confidential and ethically approved
- Survey closes Friday 28 February
Your voice matters and every response counts. Don’t miss this opportunity to contribute to the future of impact investing.
SEDI Grants update
Since the Social Enterprise Development Initiative (SEDI) Grants launched in June 2024, we’ve collected more than 500 expressions of interest, spoken with around 450 social enterprises and received 120+ applications (in the first three rounds). Around 50 to 60 grants will be awarded from the $6 million in funding available until June 2026, with grants ranging from $50,000 to $120,000 each.
We’re pleased to announce the social enterprises that have received grants in the first few rounds:
APY Art Centre Collective is group of 10 Indigenous owned and governed enterprises, located on the APY Lands (in northwestern South Australia), that explores new markets and supports business development and collaborative regional artistic projects.
Centre for Participation, based in Horsham, Victoria, provides community support, volunteering, learning and partnerships, including through three social enterprises: Laneway – Cafe without Borders, MyCareCrew Home Help and Wimmera Food Collective.
Good Cycles tackles youth unemployment by creating jobs for young people who face barriers to employment, including young people from marginalised backgrounds, those with pre-existing long-term health conditions, or long-term unemployed.
Hotel Etico is Australia’s first social enterprise hotel, and provides employment and independent living opportunities for young people in the Blue Mountains living with disability.
Nundah Community Enterprises Cooperative creates sustainable employment (up to 15,000 hours annually) and training opportunities for people with cognitive and/or psycho-social disabilities.
Mutitjulu Community Aboriginal Corporation, located at the base of Uluru, is dedicated to improving the wellbeing of its members by supporting community development, cultural preservation, economic growth and self-determination while fostering trust and collaboration with others.
See Me Please is a digital native marketplace that provides human-centred insights from disabled and diverse users, transforming the narrative on digital inclusion.
The Community Grocer builds social connections and employment pathways for food micro-businesses in low-income communities across Melbourne.
For more information on SEDI Grants also see how to apply and tips to help submit a successful application.

Exploring impact investing in On Impact
We’re sharing our impact insights in an ongoing series in On Impact –Australia’s leading newsletter for impact investment across the region. Each month, IIA team members and peers explore concepts from debunking common impact investing myths to understanding financial internalisation of externalities, and aligning investments with your values. The stories aim to deepen readers’ knowledge on impact investing, offering valuable perspectives and practical insights.
Read the latest stories:
Capturing the hidden costs – what it means for business and society
Facts and myths for the impact curious investor
Join us at the Impact Investment Summit – IIA discount available

IIA is pleased to again be supporting the Impact Investment Summit Asia Pacific – the premier annual event dedicated to driving capital towards social and environmental solutions.
Taking place at the International Convention Centre in Sydney on March 26–27, the Summit will feature more than 40 inspiring international and domestic speakers, including keynote speaker, Viktor Shvets, Global Strategist at Macquarie Capital and author of The Twilight Before the Storm.
IIA will host a frank group discussion about the state of play in Australia’s impact investing sector.
You can get an extra 10% discount on your ticket using IIA’s discount code: IIS25IIA. View program
Funding for climate resilience and inclusion businesses
Catalysing Impact is a new partnership between Social Impact Hub and QBE Foundation, supporting social enterprises and purpose-driven businesses working towards climate resilience and inclusion. If your organisation is tackling climate challenges, empowering marginalised communities, or driving a more inclusive future, this initiative offers valuable funding and support to help you grow and attract investment. The program offers:
- Funding to scale impact – Receive a $10,000 participation grant and apply for matched funding up to $400,000.
- Mentoring and advisory – Develop strategies, measure impact, and build sustainable growth.
- Collaboration with skilled professionals – Solve challenges through hackathons and skilled volunteer projects.
Find out more about Catalysing Impact and submit an expression of interest
Applications close 3 March.
International impact initiatives
Spain’s impact wholesaler makes first investments
Spain’s Social Impact Fund, launched by state-owned COFIDES and the GSG Impact National Partner for Spain, has made its first investments totalling €49.5 million in impact funds.
The 400 most sustainable financial institutions
World Benchmarking Alliance launched the 2025 Financial System Benchmark, assessing financial institutions’ contribution to the SDGs and Paris Agreement.
Nominate social entrepreneurs and innovators for Schwab Foundation Awards
The Schwab Foundation is seeking social entrepreneurs and innovators for its 2026 Awards on Social Entrepreneurship. Nominations are due by March 9.