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On 1 and 10 October 2024, AVPN, in collaboration with the Ford Foundation, GoTo Impact Foundation, and PLUS, hosted a series of impactful gatherings aimed at addressing the challenges and opportunities within the philanthropic and impact funding landscape. These events, held in Jakarta, brought together leaders from diverse philanthropy and funding organisations to deepen conversations around scaling impact, fostering collaboration, and innovating funding mechanisms.
Networking and Reception: Uncovering Creative Pathways for Impact
The Networking and Reception opened with discussions on the complex challenge of scaling impact. While there is a growing urgency to drive systemic change, many funders expressed concerns around the scalability of their initiatives. A recurring theme was the need for innovative funding mechanisms that go beyond traditional grant-making.
One such creative approach discussed was the potential of leveraging capital markets to unlock new pools of funding. This idea was met with enthusiasm, recognising that connecting impact with market mechanisms could yield powerful results, provided that the right structures are in place to ensure both financial returns and social outcomes.
Another crucial point raised was the need to actively engage the government as a key partner. It was evident that funders are eager to see government bodies play a more dynamic role, not just as regulators but as collaborators in designing and scaling impactful programs.
The convening also emphasised the value of creating more intentional, ongoing dialogues among funders. Many participants acknowledged that deeper, more intensive conversations between philanthropic leaders and investors could result in better alignment of goals and enhanced collaboration. Mapping stakeholders across different sectors was highlighted as an essential step toward understanding where efforts could be amplified through collective action.
High-Level Meeting: Strengthening the Role of Intermediaries and Knowledge Sharing
The High-Level Meeting on 10 October took a more strategic dive into how to optimise funding flows and maximise impact. One of the central takeaways was the importance of intermediaries in the ecosystem. These organisations act as vital connectors between funders, implementers, and communities, facilitating the distribution of resources more effectively. Their role in bridging gaps, providing capacity-building support, and ensuring that funding reaches the right hands cannot be overstated.
There was also a consensus that collaboration should feel natural, not forced. Organic partnerships driven by shared values and goals are more likely to result in sustainable, long-term impact. Participants reflected on the need for funders to move beyond transactional relationships and toward more meaningful, mission-aligned collaborations.
Knowledge exchange emerged as another key pillar. The group discussed how sharing lessons learned, data, and best practices could prevent duplication of efforts and ensure that resources are used efficiently. The importance of developing effective and efficient funding schemes was also underscored, with participants agreeing that a mix of flexible, innovative approaches is essential for supporting impactful initiatives, especially in rapidly evolving contexts.
Key Recommendations for Impact-Driven Funding
- Shape and cultivate funders’ practice of working with partners
Funders are encouraged to adopt a partnership mindset, moving beyond one-off transactions to long-term collaborations that build deeper, more sustainable impact. - Grow and enable a new generation of intermediaries and partners
Strengthening the ecosystem requires nurturing the next generation of intermediaries who can play a critical role in bridging the gap between funders and communities on the ground. - Invest and engage in an ecosystem approach to strengthen the field
Funders should invest in ecosystem-level initiatives, fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing across sectors to build a more resilient and impactful social impact landscape. - Explore new areas, such as faith-based giving
Participants agreed on the importance of exploring untapped opportunities, like faith-based giving, to broaden the pool of available funding and engage with diverse communities.
Looking Ahead: A Collective Path for Impact-Driven Funding
The series of meetings highlighted both the challenges and exciting opportunities ahead for impact-driven funders. AVPN, alongside our partners, is committed to continuing this journey of fostering collaboration, sharing knowledge, and driving systemic change through innovative funding models. By leveraging both financial markets and government partnerships, strengthening the role of intermediaries, and exploring new areas such as faith-based giving, we can create an ecosystem where impactful initiatives can truly scale and thrive.
