Centre for Social Impact

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.

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

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

• Social impact education
• Impact measurement research
• Philanthropy professional development
• Not-for-profit governance training
• Social economy research

Headquarters

HQ city

Sydney

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. 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.
2. University Education Programs: Postgraduate and undergraduate courses delivered through partner universities including Graduate Certificates, Graduate Diplomas, and MBA programs in Social Impact.
3. 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

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core 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

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Impact Investing AustraliacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025National peak body for impact investing partnered with CSI UNSW to produce the Benchmarking Impact report, Australia's most comprehensive impact investing market analysis.
• She GivescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024National 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)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding 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)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity 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 UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFourth 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 TechnologycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity partner since 2014, hosting CSI Swinburne within School of Business, Law and Entrepreneurship. Focus on social entrepreneurship, technology, social enterprise, and disability employment.
• Philanthropy AustraliaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for philanthropy research including the Western Australia Snapshot of Giving Study and 20% discount arrangement for Philanthropy Australia members on CSI courses.
• White Box EnterprisesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPhilanthropically-funded program where CSI Swinburne evaluates the Evolve program, supporting transition of Australian Disability Enterprises into jobs-focused social enterprises.
• Uniting Vic. TasminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch collaboration with CSI Swinburne to develop the Community Services Outcomes Tree framework for capturing outcomes from community services.
• UNSW School of Banking and FinancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic 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

Market position

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/groups/4685169
• Xx.com/csisocialimpact
• Facebookfacebook.com/centreforsocialimpact

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Centre for Social Impact