About the partners

This project has collaboration, collective learning and intentionality at its heart. It was born of three women across three continents recognising the power and solidarity of working together, and has been developed through the efforts of our global network of contributors and partners. This effort is anchored in a firm belief of the potential for the creative economy to sustain, empower and delight individuals, communities and society – and the power of impact capital to ignite this potential.

Arts & Culture Finance supports arts and cultural organisations that benefit the lives of individuals, communities and society through their work, using our investments to help organisations become more sustainable and resilient. They manage several social impact investment funds aimed at organisations in the arts and cultural sector on behalf of partner investors.

Nesta is an innovation foundation. For Nesta, innovation means turning bold ideas into reality and changing lives for the better. They use their expertise, skills and funding in areas where there are big challenges facing society. Nesta is based in the UK and supported by a financial endowment. They work with partners around the globe to bring bold ideas to life to change the world for good.

Upstart Co-Lab connects impact investing to the creative economy. Since 2016, Upstart Co-Lab has been exploring how the $878 billion creative economy in the US can become more inclusive, equitable and sustainable. By introducing a Creativity Lens, Upstart Co-Lab helps impact investors who understand the power of art, design, culture, heritage, and creativity see the opportunities that align with their values. Upstart Co-Lab is a project of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors.

Fundación Compromiso has developed and spread since 1994 a new model of supporting and investing effectively in social, environmental and cultural issues throughout LATAM civil society organisations, private enterprises and public institutions. FC is guiding impact investors in the region to understand their opportunities and bringing all kinds of partners from around the world, from grassroots organisations to innovative enterprises, to make social change happen.

We are delighted to be partnering with the following organisations to continue growing this project:

British Council is the UK’s international organisation for educational opportunities and cultural relations. They build connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and other countries through arts and culture, education and the English language.

Developing Inclusive and Creative Economies (DICE) is a global programme that imagines and activates new forms of cultural and economic agency in Brazil, Egypt, Indonesia, Pakistan, South Africa and the UK. DICE does so by placing creativity, experimentation, co-design, social purpose, action research, and international connection at the heart of its work. In its first year, DICE worked with a network of 18,000 creative social entrepreneurs, intermediaries, policy makers, researchers and investors. Collectively DICE’s bespoke initiatives are designed with and for those who are often excluded from economic opportunity – including women, young people, people with disabilities and those otherwise excluded because of race, religion, ethnicity, gender, class, sexuality, geography or some combination thereof.

The Global Steering Group for Impact Investment (GSG) is an action tank and movement catalysing impact investment. We bring together leaders from finance, business, philanthropy and government to drive a shift towards impact economies.

UNCTAD supports developing countries to access the benefits of a globalised economy more fairly and effectively. And they help equip them to deal with the potential drawbacks of greater economic integration. To do this, they provide analysis, facilitate consensus-building, and offer technical assistance. This helps organisations to use trade, investment, finance, and technology as vehicles for inclusive and sustainable development.

SOCAP is the thought leadership platform for the accelerating movement towards a more just and sustainable economy. We convene a global ecosystem and marketplace – social entrepreneurs, investors, foundation and nonprofit leaders, government and policy leaders, creators, corporations, academics, and beyond – through live and digital experiences that educate, spur conversation, and inspire investment in positive impact.