Co-Impact

Co-Impact
Name	Co-Impact
Founded	2017
Type	Philanthropic collaborative
Focus	Systems change, Gender equality, Health, Education, Economic opportunity
Headquarters	New York City, United States
Key people	Olivia Leland (Founding CEO), Ruth DeGolia (Executive Director)
Website	https://co-impact.org

Co-Impact. Co-Impact is a global philanthropic collaborative founded in 2017 that supports systems change to advance gender equality, improve health, expand education, and increase economic opportunity in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. It brings together philanthropists, foundations, and social change leaders to fund large-scale, long-term initiatives aimed at transforming underlying systems and policies. The organization operates on the belief that collaborative, trust-based funding can catalyze significant and sustainable impact for millions of people.

Overview

Co-Impact functions as a partnership between a diverse group of funders and on-the-ground leaders, aiming to address root causes of societal issues rather than symptoms. Its work is concentrated in the Global South, with a particular emphasis on supporting women and girls. The collaborative is structured to provide flexible, long-term grants and support to organizations and leaders working within existing public and private systems, such as government health ministries or national education networks. This approach distinguishes it from traditional project-based philanthropy, seeking instead to influence broader policy and institutional practice. Key operational partners have included the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, The Rockefeller Foundation, and MacKenzie Scott.

History and Founding

Co-Impact was launched in 2017 by a founding group that included philanthropist and former managing director at The Rockefeller Foundation, Olivia Leland. The initiative emerged from consultations with over 200 global leaders across philanthropy, social change, and government, identifying a need for more collaborative and systems-oriented funding models. Initial design support and catalytic funding came from prominent figures like Richard Branson and Jochen Zeitz, as well as established institutions like the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The founding vision was crystallized at events such as the World Economic Forum in Davos, highlighting a growing consensus among major donors about the limitations of fragmented philanthropic efforts. Since its launch, Co-Impact has grown its network of funders and expanded its geographic reach.

Model and Approach

The core model is based on providing large, flexible grants over five to ten years to organizations with proven leadership and scalable solutions within systems. This "trust-based philanthropy" model minimizes restrictive reporting, allowing grantee partners like BRAC or the African Population and Health Research Center to focus on implementation. Co-Impact’s approach emphasizes collaborative learning and adaptation, often convening partners from different sectors. It specifically seeks to fund initiatives that can influence public policy or market systems, thereby creating change that outlasts the grant period. The model is designed to complement the work of major development agencies like the World Bank and United Nations by proving concepts that can be adopted at scale.

Key Initiatives and Focus Areas

Co-Impact’s initiatives are organized around its four key focus areas: gender, health, education, and economic opportunity. In gender, a flagship program supports women’s leadership and economic power across India, Kenya, and Brazil. In health, initiatives work to strengthen primary healthcare systems in countries like Ghana and Rwanda, often partnering with ministries of health. Education programs focus on improving learning outcomes and foundational skills, collaborating with entities like the LEGO Foundation. Economic opportunity work supports initiatives that promote inclusive growth and access to dignified work. Specific funded partners have included Women’s World Banking, the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, and the Central Square Foundation.

Governance and Funding

Governance is overseen by a Board of Directors comprising representatives from major funding partners and sector experts. Day-to-day operations are managed by an executive team led by an Executive Director, with program teams based in regions of operation. Funding is pooled from a consortium of philanthropic individuals, family offices, and foundations. Major contributors have included The Audacious Project (hosted by TED), Valhalla Charitable Foundation, and philanthropists like Nicolas Berggruen. Funds are deployed through a rigorous selection process involving external advisors and deep due diligence on potential grantee partners. The financial model is designed to leverage additional capital from other donors and public sources.

Impact and Recognition

Co-Impact reports that its programs have reached millions of beneficiaries, citing policy changes in national education curricula, improved healthcare protocols, and strengthened laws for women’s rights. Its model has been recognized within philanthropic circles as an influential example of collaborative giving, featuring in publications like Stanford Social Innovation Review and at conferences like the Skoll World Forum. The organization and its leaders, such as Olivia Leland, have received awards and acknowledgments for innovation in philanthropy. Its emphasis on long-term systems change continues to attract new partners interested in moving beyond traditional charitable donations to create deeper, institutional impact.

Category:Philanthropic organizations Category:Organizations established in 2017 Category:Organizations based in New York City