We are very pleased to announce the successful completion of a first close of For Purpose Investment Partners’ Social Impact Fund I (“SIF I” or “the Fund”), with $67m committed. The Fund will target social impact investments generating appropriate risk-weighted returns, and a roughly even mix between real asset-backed investments and investments in operating companies. The blended return target for the Fund is 9-10% post fees.
The first close was supported by over 100 investors and we are delighted that the Fund has a level of commitments that will enable us to take advantage of the healthy pipeline of investment opportunities we have. It is particularly gratifying for us to welcome funders to SIF I who have been investors from the early days of the impact investing journey. There is significant continuity from a range of investors who committed to the purchase of ABC Childcare Centres in June, 2010, resulting in the landmark acquisition by Goodstart Early Learning. Many of these investors also committed to Catalyst Education which For Purpose Investment Partners acquired early this year. We are also delighted to welcome nearly 80 new investors to the For Purpose family. We look forward to establishing the long-term trusted investment partner relationships with all these investors that will be key to achieving our goal of building a large-scale social impact investing market in Australia.
By funds committed, approximately 70% of investment has come from individuals and families, with the remaining 30% from institutions, predominantly charitable foundations. 30% of funds came from clients of advisors, with whom we had not had previous contact, with the remainder from existing investors and other contacts as well as 6% from the For Purpose team.
FPIP co-founder and Executive Director Michael Traill said; “It is critical for our goal of growing the large-scale Australian impact investing market to establish a fund and to have the funding access to move from a ‘deal by deal’ capital sourcing basis. We are delighted that we have attracted a range of new investors to the pioneering investment opportunity of SIF I which offers a portfolio of social impact investments in our target sectors, in a unique social purpose entity with a not-for-profit investment manager. There is a real sense that for many clients the initial investment commitment is a ‘toe in the water’, and this gives us great confidence in the capacity to build on the foundations of the first close and in line with meeting our first close target, to achieve a second close target that builds a fund size of around $150m.”
During the course of the first close investor presentations, we reinforced the evidence of the growing understanding of mainstream institutional funds of larger scale impact investing opportunities. We continue to be confident that the pioneering support of SIF I founding investors will create the proof point transactions that will attract institutional investment particularly from profit for member superannuation funds in the next iteration of this market.
We would finally like to thank our advisory partners Gilbert + Tobin and PwC, who worked on the documentation and structuring of the Fund.
For Purpose Investment Partners is providing ~$7m financing, delivering peace of mind for eight NDIS participants and their families on Sydney's northern beaches
19 August 2025 - For Purpose Investment Partners (FPIP) has provided ~$7m in long-term mezzanine debt financing to support eight NDIS participants in their 'forever homes' at the Beacon Hill Disability Housing project on Sydney's northern beaches.
The financing follows the successful repayment of the project's $4 million construction debt and ensures the continued provision of safe, secure and purpose-built accommodation for residents with high support needs. The pilot project, established in partnership with the Sustainable Development Group (SDG) and Sydney Anglican Property, was completed in late 2024. Together, we transformed underutilised church-owned land into vital social housing infrastructure by providing Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA).
"This long-term financing provides stability and certainty for the eight residents who call this place home," said Tim Shaw, Executive Director of FPIP. "Our partnership with Sydney Anglican Property shows how shared values and patient capital can create meaningful social impact. We're establishing a financial foundation that enables these residents to flourish in their community with the comprehensive support they deserve."
The Beacon Hill project exemplifies how purpose-driven investment can address critical housing shortages while supporting vulnerable Australians. The development provides high-quality, accessible homes designed for people with disability support needs.
"The Anglican Church is committed to using our land assets to serve the community and support those most in need," said Ross Jones, CEO of Sydney Anglican Property. "This partnership with FPIP has transformed unused church land into a lasting social asset that provides secure, dignified housing for the tenants. The successful refinancing ensures these residents have the certainty of a permanent home, while their families have peace of mind knowing their loved ones are well-supported.”
Evolve Housing manages the SDA property, while Fighting Chance provides Supported Independent Living (SIL) services. Together, they deliver comprehensive support that enables tenants to live independently in their community.
The project builds on FPIP's impact investment approach to drive sustainable financial returns alongside measurable social outcomes. We continue to work with mission-aligned partners to expand access to quality housing across Australia, including SDA and Social and Affordable Housing.
Australia's superannuation system, projected to reach $9 trillion by 2040, represents an unprecedented opportunity to mobilise patient capital for social infrastructure that delivers both institutional grade returns and essential community services. The Economic Reform Roundtable presents a defining moment to unlock this pool of capital through proven investment models that align financial performance with measurable social outcomes. At For Purpose Investment Partners (FPIP), founded by Michael Traill AM, we have demonstrated that ethical, long-term investment in aged care, disability services, and education is delivering both financial and social value without compromise.
The Economic Reform Roundtable represents Australia's moment to lead. By aligning our world-leading superannuation system with proven impact investment models, we can demonstrate that superior financial returns and transformative social outcomes are not competing objectives - they are the twin engines of sustainable economic growth.
Read our full submission to the Economic Reform Roundtable, which includes our five recommendations to reform the economy through social impact investment.
For Purpose Investment Partners founding Chair Don Luke has confirmed his planned retirement from the board will take effect at the end of June 2025. As the founding Chair, Don has been instrumental in shaping the direction, growth and guiding values of For Purpose.
Executive Director Michael Traill AM said "Don has brought passion, a practical and insightful depth of experience in all the things that matter to us at For Purpose and a deep belief in our mission and cause. His generosity of spirit and engagement has been fundamental from the outset. We would quite simply not be in the position of having a broad-based portfolio of investments in the sectors we wanted to make a difference in, with the potential to take the next leap of funding and growth to the institutional market, without his presence and guidance.
"Don’s unique background and perspective in having been a founding CEO at Sun Super through to his role of Chair at Australian Retirement Trust, and an impactful 5-year stint as CEO of Anglicare Queensland, speak to the heart of who he is; his thoughtful and measured approach has been significant to how we think about the world. I am deeply grateful for the experience and insight Don’s leadership has provided for myself and our team, and for the high standards he set in how we thoughtfully approach discussions and decisions."
Chair Don Luke said “It has been an enormous privilege to be the founding Chair of For Purpose and be part of establishing an organisation that is truly unique in its mission to combine the best of business and for-purpose thinking to create positive impact in social sectors. It has been an honour and a professional pleasure to work with the board and the management team.”
Don will continue to be involved in providing feedback and advisory support to For Purpose, a measure of his ongoing dedication to our mission of creating both financial value and social impact without compromise. Michael Traill will be stepping in as Executive Chair.
For Purpose Investment Partners acknowledges and pays respect to the past, present and future Traditional Custodians and Elders of this nation and the continuation of cultural, spiritual and educational practices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
We believe that diversity, equity and inclusion at For Purpose Investment Partners are critical in our efforts to create significant social impact. Diversity in the team allows us to better represent the diversity of thought and experiences of the communities that we are aiming to serve, promotes a healthy and thriving working environment, and delivers innovative and sustainable outcomes for our communities, our people, our investors and our partners.
