Centre for Social Impact
Centre for Social Impact is an Australian non-profit research and education organisation, jointly hosted by four universities (UNSW, UWA, Flinders, Swinburne). It delivers postgraduate and short courses in social impact, produces research publications and free measurement tools for the not-for-profit, philanthropic, and government sectors, and convenes industry events across Australia.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2008
- HeadquartersSydney, Australia
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Centre for Social Impact does
Centre for Social Impact (CSI) is an Australian non-profit research and education organisation operating as a national collaboration between four university Business Schools: UNSW (Sydney, founding node 2008), UWA (Perth, 2008), Swinburne University of Technology (Melbourne, 2014) and Flinders University (Adelaide, 2022). The organisation's stated purpose is to catalyse positive social change through evidence-based research, education, and engagement with the not-for-profit, philanthropic, government, and corporate sectors; its offering spans three interconnected streams. First, postgraduate and undergraduate credentials including a Graduate Certificate in Social Impact and an MBA in Social Impact, delivered through the four partner universities' enrolment and accreditation infrastructure. Second, fee-bearing professional development short courses, notably The Giving Academy (Virtual A$2,800+GST, Hybrid A$3,900+GST with NFP/Philanthropy Australia 20% discount) and Governance for Social Impact (a four-week, ~15-hour course for NFP board directors). Third, free tools, guides, and research publications - including the Roadmap to Social Impact Measurement, Community Services Outcomes Tree, Seedkit, Food Relief Good Practice Guide, and an Outcomes Funds explainer - distributed via csi.edu.au.
Underlying technology consists of an online learning management system supporting virtual workshop delivery, hybrid in-person cohort dinners, self-paced e-learning modules, and web-accessible frameworks rather than a unified software product; no public APIs, SDKs, or AI modalities are disclosed. Revenue mechanics mix course fees, university tuition flows, philanthropic and government-funded research grants, and consultancy commissions; named contracted counterparties include the SA Department of Treasury and Finance (Aspire Social Impact Bond evaluation), Minderoo Foundation (Asia Pacific Impact Investing Research Consortium), UBS (consortium), Impact Investing Australia (Benchmarking Impact report) and She Gives (women's philanthropy study). CSI also convenes free webinars, masterclasses, and cohort-based workshops across Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, and Brisbane, distributing work via its website, email newsletter, LinkedIn group, and sector media.
Centre for Social Impact firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Centre for Social Impact
- Legal name
- Centre for Social Impact
- Website
- https://csi.edu.au
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2008
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Centre for Social Impact is an Australian non-profit research and education organisation, jointly hosted by four universities (UNSW, UWA, Flinders, Swinburne). It delivers postgraduate and short courses in social impact, produces research publications and free measurement tools for the not-for-profit, philanthropic, and government sectors, and convenes industry events across Australia.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Centre for Social Impact industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Social Impact Education and Research
- NAICS
- Educational Support Services (611710), Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (54172), Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (541720)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Social Services (8300)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Public Research Universities with Major Extension & Outreach Missions (EDAHAAAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Community Development & Social Impact Programs (EDAIAGAA), Impact Investment & Social Finance Programs (BPADAOAJ), Research, Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (MEL) Partnerships (EDADALAK), Impact Investing & Social Finance (Funds, CDFIs, Microfinance) (BPAGALAA)
Keywords
Where Centre for Social Impact is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Sydney
- HQ country
- Australia
- HQ region
- Oceania
Offices4 records
Markets served
Centre for Social Impact business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Professional Development Course Fees: Revenue from short courses including The Giving Academy (Virtual $2,800, Hybrid $3,900) and Governance for Social Impact. Discounts available for not-for-profits and Philanthropy Australia members.
- University Education Programs: Postgraduate and undergraduate courses delivered through partner universities including Graduate Certificates, Graduate Diplomas, and MBA programs in Social Impact.
- Research and Consultancy: Funded research projects in partnership with government departments, philanthropy, and not-for-profit organisations. Examples include evaluation of social impact bonds, impact investing research, and sector studies.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | The Giving Academy - Virtual Delivery |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | The Giving Academy - Hybrid Delivery |
| Subscription | Monthly | Governance for Social Impact Short Course |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
Centre for Social Impact product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Centre for Social Impact delivers higher education programs (Graduate Certificate, MBA in Social Impact) and professional development short courses (The Giving Academy, Governance for Social Impact) through a national network of four Australian universities. It also produces evidence-based research, evaluation services, and free tools and guides for social impact measurement, supporting not-for-profits, philanthropists, and government departments.
Product overview
Centre for Social Impact is Australia's leader in social impact education and research, operating as a collaboration between four universities (UNSW, UWA, Flinders, and Swinburne). The organization offers a portfolio of educational products including postgraduate qualifications (Graduate Certificate, MBA in Social Impact), professional development short courses (The Giving Academy, Governance for Social Impact), and free tools and guides (Roadmap to Social Impact Measurement, Food Relief Good Practice Guide, Community Services Outcomes Tree, Seedkit). They also produce research publications, host webinars and events, and lead research consortia addressing social economy and impact investing. The offering functions as a platform of interconnected educational programs, research publications, and practical tools rather than a unified software product.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- The Giving Academy: Australia's flagship learning program for the philanthropic ecosystem, offering short courses including Effective Giving and Giving in Complexity for professionals working across the philanthropic ecosystem.
- Governance for Social Impact
- Roadmap to Social Impact
- Webinars & Events
Products and services
- Roadmap to Social Impact Measurement A comprehensive step-by-step guide with practical frameworks, e-books, and templates for organizations to plan, measure and communicate social impact.
- The Giving Academy Australia's flagship short course program for the philanthropic ecosystem, offering Effective Giving and Giving in Complexity courses for funders, grantseekers, and advisors.
- Governance for Social Impact
Quantifiable outcome
- 1,200+ downloads of Roadmap to Social Impact guide
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Centre for Social Impact
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Centre for Social Impact technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Centre for Social Impact partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Impact Investing AustraliacoreNational peak body for impact investing partnered with CSI UNSW to produce the Benchmarking Impact report, Australia's most comprehensive impact investing market analysis.
- She GivescoreNational campaign partnered with CSI UWA to conduct the largest mixed-methods study of women's giving in Australian history, involving surveys, roundtables and in-depth interviews with over 2,000 women.
- University of New South Wales (UNSW)coreFounding university partner of the CSI national network, hosting CSI UNSW since 2008 within UNSW Business School. Delivers undergraduate, postgraduate, and executive education courses in social impact.
- University of Western Australia (UWA)coreUniversity partner hosting CSI UWA within UWA Business School, ranking in top 100 globally and part of Group of Eight. Focus areas include digital inclusion, mental health, philanthropy, housing and homelessness.
- Flinders UniversitycoreFourth university partner joined in 2022, located on Kaurna nation land. CSI Flinders is part of College of Business, Government and Law with focus on technology, health and social impact.
- Swinburne University of TechnologycoreUniversity partner since 2014, hosting CSI Swinburne within School of Business, Law and Entrepreneurship. Focus on social entrepreneurship, technology, social enterprise, and disability employment.
- Philanthropy AustraliaminorPartnership for philanthropy research including the Western Australia Snapshot of Giving Study and 20% discount arrangement for Philanthropy Australia members on CSI courses.
- White Box EnterprisesminorPhilanthropically-funded program where CSI Swinburne evaluates the Evolve program, supporting transition of Australian Disability Enterprises into jobs-focused social enterprises.
- Uniting Vic. TasminorResearch collaboration with CSI Swinburne to develop the Community Services Outcomes Tree framework for capturing outcomes from community services.
- UNSW School of Banking and FinancecoreAcademic partner within UNSW Business School co-leading the Asia Pacific Impact Investing Research Consortium, bringing expertise in banking, finance, and capital markets.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Centre for Social Impact competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Centre for Social Impact social profiles
Digital presenceCentre for Social Impact financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Centre for Social Impact leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Centre for Social Impact subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries4 records
Centre for Social Impact funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Centre for Social Impact M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Centre for Social Impact
What does Centre for Social Impact do?
Centre for Social Impact delivers higher education programs (Graduate Certificate, MBA in Social Impact) and professional development short courses (The Giving Academy, Governance for Social Impact) through a national network of four Australian universities. It also produces evidence-based research, evaluation services, and free tools and guides for social impact measurement, supporting not-for-profits, philanthropists, and government departments.
Is Centre for Social Impact a public or private company?
Centre for Social Impact is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Centre for Social Impact founded?
Centre for Social Impact was founded in 2008. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Centre for Social Impact based?
Centre for Social Impact is headquartered in Sydney, Australia, in the Oceania region.
How does Centre for Social Impact make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Professional Development Course Fees are the primary driver. The others are university Education Programs and research and Consultancy.
Does Centre for Social Impact have an API?
No public API is recorded for Centre for Social Impact.
What industry is Centre for Social Impact in?
Centre for Social Impact's product category is Social Impact Education and Research. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAHAAAG, Public Research Universities with Major Extension & Outreach Missions, with a secondary code of EDAIAGAA, Community Development & Social Impact Programs. Its NAICS code is 611710 and its SIC code is 8200.