Top 10 Key Insights into Perpetual’s IMPACT Funding Program: Facts, Trends, and Funding Focus

Here are ten key stats about Perpetual’s IMPACT Philanthropy Application Program (IPAP) and the types of projects it supports:

1. Annual Grant Distribution: Perpetual distributes around $100 million annually to charitable initiatives across Australia, making it one of the country’s largest philanthropic fund managers.
2. Average Grant Amount: The average grant size for IMPACT funding is approximately $75,000, with funding levels varying based on project scope and funder alignment.
3. Funding Focus: Half of the funds are allocated to project-specific support, with a growing interest in providing core operational support, including salaries and technology upgrades, to strengthen organisational sustainability.
4. Popular Sectors: Key funding sectors include health and medical research ($5.91 million), social and community welfare ($10.85 million), and education ($4.35 million), showing an emphasis on social impact, health, and capacity building.
5. Regional Support: About 20% of domestic funding goes to projects in regional areas, reflecting Perpetual’s commitment to addressing funding gaps and increasing access to resources outside metropolitan areas.
6. High Demand: In 2022, Perpetual received nearly 1,400 applications, with about 26% receiving funding. This competitive environment underscores the importance of aligning closely with their criteria.
7. Sustainability Focus: Perpetual prioritises projects that address underlying causes of social and environmental challenges. Around 87% of funded projects in recent years have focused on long-term, systemic change rather than short-term relief.
8. First Nations Funding: In 2022, Perpetual granted $2.6 million specifically to support projects led by or for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, highlighting its commitment to culturally aligned impact initiatives.
9. LGBTIQ+ Community Support: Following an increase in awareness and applications, funding for LGBTIQ+ organisations rose by 153%, reaching $583,000 for seven programs in 2022. This increase aligns with Perpetual’s mission to support underserved communities.
10. Philanthropy Trends: Perpetual is seeing increased interest in funding areas like digital transformation and long-term operational capacity, with around 14% of funds directed to salaries and 3% to digital projects to enhance organisational resilience.

These insights show Perpetual’s strategic focus on creating long-term, community-driven impact through targeted funding across diverse sectors.