Centre for Public Impact

What Centre for Public Impact does

Centre for Public Impact (CPI) is a global nonprofit organisation founded in 2015 and headquartered in London, with teams operating across the United Kingdom, North America, Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand, India, and Latin America. Its stated mission is to reimagine government in partnership with governments, public servants, and changemakers, addressing the gap between citizens and the state by building innovation capacity, supporting participatory evaluation, and convening communities of practice around issues including AI adoption, climate action, equity, and youth services.

CPI does not operate a proprietary technology platform; its offering is a portfolio of advisory programmes, research reports, training cohorts, evaluation engagements, and convenings. Named programmes include Innovation Training (co-delivered with the Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation at Johns Hopkins, serving 25 governments with 285 officials trained), Data for Equity (a US city-government cohort with the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth), the AI Opportunity Fund: Europe (a €15M initiative with Google.org covering EU-27, UK, and Ukraine), the Mayor's New Deal for Young People evaluation for the Greater London Authority (£34M programme), CPI's Collective: Innovation for Democracy in Latin America (15+ organisations across six countries), and the Trust Imperative research series (co-published with Boston Consulting Group and Salesforce). Underlying technology is limited to standard operational tools (HubSpot, Google Analytics, Zoom, Typeform, ShareThis) with no disclosed AI/ML, data platform, or software product.

Revenue is not publicly disclosed. CPI's funding mix comprises philanthropic grants from foundations (Google.org, Bloomberg Philanthropies, Rockefeller Foundation, Joseph Rowntree Foundation, Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth), government commissions and contracts for evaluation and learning-partner work (notably the GLA), and a structural relationship with Boston Consulting Group that provides access to consulting infrastructure, co-publishing capability, and global government networks. CPI distributes its research, toolkits, and podcasts freely with no commercial pricing model, and monetises through grants and contracted engagements rather than software sales.

Name

Centre for Public Impact

Legal name

Centre for Public Impact

Website

https://centreforpublicimpact.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Centre for Public Impact (CPI) is a global nonprofit founded in 2015 that partners with governments, public servants, and changemakers across four regions to build government innovation capacity through training cohorts, evaluation, research, and convening programmes.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Sector Consulting and Government Innovation Services

NAICS

Civic and Social Organizations (813410), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (54172)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Charities & Grantmaking Intermediaries (BPAGAKAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Research, Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (MEL) Partnerships (EDADALAK), Civic Education & Community Engagement (Voting, Local Government) (EDAAAFAC)

Keywords

• Public sector consulting
• Government innovation training
• Nonprofit think tank
• Capacity building services
• Policy evaluation services

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Foundation and philanthropy funding: CPI receives support from philanthropic foundations including Google.org, Bloomberg Philanthropies, Rockefeller Foundation, Bloomberg Philanthropies, and others, as evidenced by funding partnerships such as the AI Opportunity Fund (€15 million with Google.org) and program co-funding.
2. Government commissions and contracts: CPI is commissioned by government bodies to conduct evaluations, deliver programs, and serve as learning partners. Examples include the Greater London Authority commissioning the £34 million Mayor's New Deal for Young People evaluation, and partnerships with the Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation at Johns Hopkins to deliver Innovation Training to city governments.
3. Partnership with Boston Consulting Group (BCG): CPI maintains an explicit strategic relationship with BCG, which involves co-publishing research (e.g., the Trust Imperative series with BCG and Salesforce) and collaborative program delivery, providing a structural funding and resource-sharing arrangement.

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Centre for Public Impact is a nonprofit learning partner that works with governments, public servants, and changemakers to reimagine government so it works better for everyone. It delivers structured cohort programmes (such as Innovation Training and Data for Equity), commissioned evaluations (such as the GLA's Mayor's New Deal for Young People), grant-based funds (such as the AI Opportunity Fund: Europe), and convening networks (such as CPI's Collective in Latin America). It produces research reports, practical toolkits, podcasts, and learning communities, distributing them free of charge and funded through philanthropic grants and government contracts.

Product overview

Centre for Public Impact (CPI) is a global think tank and consultancy that works in partnership with governments, public servants, and changemakers to reimagine government so it works better for everyone. CPI is not a traditional software or product company — it offers a portfolio of advisory programmes, research reports, training initiatives, and innovation frameworks rather than a unified software platform. The core offering spans several interconnected programme areas: Government Innovation (including Innovation Training delivered with Bloomberg Philanthropies, the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative Innovation Track, and The Opportunity Project for Cities), Climate Change, Supporting Women and Girls, Training and Events, Human Learning Systems, Storytelling, and Social Imagination. Key named programmes include the AI Opportunity Fund: Europe (a €15 million Google.org partnership), Data for Equity (with the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth), CPI's Collective: Innovation for Democracy in Latin America, Trust Imperative 5.0 (with BCG and Salesforce), and the Mayor's New Deal for Young People evaluation (for the Greater London Authority). These programmes deliver reports, toolkits, learning cohorts, training sprints, and communities of practice rather than software products. CPI's technology footprint consists of operational tools (HubSpot, Google Analytics, Zoom, Typeform, ShareThis) used to run their programmes and website.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Reimagining Government Podcast: A podcast featuring public servants and politicians discussing how to reimagine government to work for everyone.
• Trust Imperative
• Data for Equity
• AI Opportunity Fund: Europe
• Innovation Training

Products and services

• Innovation Training A nine-month coaching programme supporting interdisciplinary city government teams to build core innovation capacities as they design, test, and prototype solutions to pressing city problems. Delivered in partnership with Bloomberg Philanthropies and the Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation at Johns Hopkins, with 25 governments participating, 285 government employees trained, 2,218 local residents engaged, and a 99% participant recommendation rate.
• Data for Equity A collaborative network and ten-week learning cohort of US city governments working together to close wealth and opportunity gaps using data tools, insights, and expertise. Launched by CPI with the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth, with Chief Equity, Technology and Data Officers from Atlanta, Baltimore, Birmingham, Dayton, Louisville, Salt Lake City, and St. Louis participating.
• AI Opportunity Fund: Europe A €15 million fund in partnership with Google.org inviting organisations across the EU-27, UK, and Ukraine to apply for bespoke AI training on expert-curated AI curricula, mentorship, and financial support, equipping vulnerable workers with foundational AI knowledge to thrive in the age of AI.
• CPI's Collective: Innovation for Democracy in Latin America An 18-month structured problem-solving and experimentation infrastructure bringing together government and non-government actors around shared public problems in Latin America, including six countries (Costa Rica, Colombia, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, and others) and partner organisations such as Democracia en Red, Politize!, Socialab, and Laboratorio de Gobierno Chile. Resulted in three democratic innovation experiments: Inclusive Voices in Costa Rica, Circles of Inspiration in Colombia, and Voices that Count in Colombia.
• Mayor's New Deal for Young People (NDYP) Evaluation A transformative evaluation conducted by CPI for the Greater London Authority of the £34 million Mayor's New Deal for Young People programme, using participatory and qualitative methods including storytelling, journey mapping, and peer-led research to assess the quality, reach, and sustainability of youth mentoring across London. Includes a Storytelling Toolkit for Impact Evaluation developed as part of the engagement.
• The Opportunity Project for Cities (TOPC) A sprint toolkit and programme for community-driven innovation in local governments, including structured sprints, templates, and case-study lessons from Akron, Macon-Bibb, Miami-Dade, St Paul, Ramsey County, and other cities, focused on empowering communities through partnerships.

Quantifiable outcome

• 25 governments participated in the Bloomberg Innovation Training Program, with 285 government employees trained and 2,218 local residents engaged, and 99% of surveyed participants would recommend the program.
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and core.

• Boston Consulting Group (BCG)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2026CPI has a formal, explicit relationship with BCG as a sister organization. They co-publish major research reports including the Trust Imperative series (now in its 5th edition), with BCG providing research and consulting capabilities while CPI provides public impact focus and government networks. CPI maintains a dedicated webpage describing 'Our relationship with BCG.'
• SalesforceflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2026Salesforce co-published the Trust Imperative 5.0 report with BCG and CPI, exploring practical AI assurance frameworks for governments. Salesforce contributes technology and private sector AI governance perspectives to the partnership.
• NO MORE FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 November 2025CPI and NO MORE co-hosted a global livestream on November 25, 2025 (International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women) to raise awareness, mobilize action, and support victims, including through the EVAW Day Relief Fund.
• Mastercard Center for Inclusive GrowthflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2024CPI and the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth co-launched the Data for Equity initiative, a collaborative network of US city governments working to close wealth and opportunity gaps. The program connects cities with data tools and expertise from multiple institutions.
• Urban InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2024Urban Institute serves as a data expert partner within the Data for Equity initiative, providing analytical tools and research support to participating US cities working on equity and economic inclusion.
• Brookings InstitutioncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2024Brookings Institution participates as a data expert partner in the Data for Equity program, contributing research and analytical expertise to support US cities in using data for equitable economic outcomes.
• Opportunity@WorkcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2024Opportunity@Work is a data expert partner in the Data for Equity program, contributing expertise on workforce and economic opportunity data to help cities advance inclusive economic outcomes.
• National Conference of State LegislaturescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2024NCSL participates as a data expert partner in the Data for Equity program, contributing policy and legislative expertise to support data-driven decision-making in state and local governments.
• Southern Economic Advancement ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2024Southern Economic Advancement Project is a data expert partner in the Data for Equity initiative, providing economic data and analytical support tailored to cities in the Southern United States.
• Accelerator for AmericacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2024Accelerator for America is a data expert partner in the Data for Equity program, contributing expertise on economic development and innovation to support US city governments.
• Weaver CollaborationscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2024CPI partnered with Weaver Collaborations, led by Amy Armstrong, to conduct research on challenges and opportunities for local governments in Aotearoa New Zealand regarding climate action delivery.
• City of MelbournecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2024CPI partnered with the City of Melbourne and Hinterland Lab on the social imagination project, bringing together Southbank community members to collectively address the climate crisis.
• TransCap InitiativecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2024CPI partnered with the TransCap Initiative and EIT Climate-KIC on systemic investing research for cities, contributing to understanding of urban climate finance challenges and opportunities.
• EIT Climate-KICcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2024CPI collaborated with EIT Climate-KIC and the TransCap Initiative on urban climate finance systemic investing research, exploring innovative approaches to catalyze climate finance for cities.
• Dusseldorp ForumcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2021Dusseldorp Forum initiated the Storytelling for Systems Change project, engaging Hands Up Mallee and CPI to explore what enables communities to better tell stories of their systems change work.
• Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation at Johns HopkinsflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2021The Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation at Johns Hopkins partners with CPI to deliver the Innovation Training Program to city governments. The Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative Innovation track is also delivered by this center in partnership with CPI.
• UNDPcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUNDP is featured in CPI's 'We've worked with' logo section, indicating a recognized working relationship at the global development level.
• Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoseph Rowntree Foundation is listed in CPI's partner logos, indicating collaboration on UK-focused social challenges and poverty reduction.
• Beeck Center for Communication at Georgetown UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBeeck Center at Georgetown University is listed as a partner organization, indicating collaboration on social innovation and public impact topics.
• Dusseldorp ForumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDusseldorp Forum partnered with CPI on the Storytelling for Systems Change project, exploring how communities can better tell stories of their systems change work.
• CPI's Collective: Latin America — Partner organizationscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCPI's Collective for Latin America involved multiple partner organizations across 6 countries: +CostaRica, Democracia en Red, Politize!, Socialab, Huella Local, Laboratorio de Gobierno Chile, Red de Innovación Local, VelezReyes+, Extituto de Política Abierta, Instituto Update, and Democracia+, working on democratic innovations in Costa Rica and Colombia.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Nesta: UK-based innovation foundation working on government innovation, public services, and social change with a research and convening model similar to CPI's. Particularly relevant as a UK/European peer in the same funding ecosystem (philanthropic foundations, government partners).
• Brookings Institution: Large US think tank conducting policy research and government innovation studies, including participation in CPI's Data for Equity program. Comparable as a research-driven, mission-focused institution producing reports and frameworks for government decision-makers, though operating at much larger scale and across many policy domains.
• Urban Institute: US nonprofit research organization that partners with CPI in the Data for Equity program, providing data and analytical support to US cities. Comparable as a research-driven, mission-focused organization partnering with governments on equity and inclusive growth topics.
• McKinsey Public & Social Sector Practice: Global management consulting practice advising governments on transformation, public service delivery, and AI adoption. Comparable as a large-scale advisory provider to government leaders and a potential competitor for CPI's larger strategic mandates.

Direct peers

• Apolitical: Global learning platform and community for government officials, offering courses, research, and a network to upskill public servants. Closest comparable as a digital-enabled learning and community platform targeting the same government audience as CPI's training and community of practice work.
• The GovLab at NYU: NYU-affiliated research center focused on how technology and data can improve governance, including collaborative programs with cities on open data and democratic innovation. Highly comparable in mission, academic affiliation, and audience (city and national governments experimenting with new governance approaches).
• Results for America: US nonprofit that partners with city, county, and state governments to use evidence, data, and evaluation to improve public outcomes. Directly comparable in mission (evidence-based government improvement), customer base (US local governments), and delivery approach (cohort-based learning programs).
• Behavioural Insights Team: Social-purpose consultancy applying behavioural science to government policy and service delivery. Directly comparable as a mission-driven advisory organization working with governments on innovation, evaluation, and better public services, often in partnership with philanthropic funders.
• Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation at Johns Hopkins: Johns Hopkins-affiliated center that partners directly with CPI to co-deliver the Innovation Training Program and the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative Innovation track to city governments. Operates in the same public-sector innovation niche with the same target buyer (city halls) and similar cohort-based delivery.
• Tony Blair Institute for Global Change: Global advisory organization that partners with political leaders and governments on policy reform, institutional capacity building, and government modernization. Highly comparable in mission and target audience (heads of government and senior public servants) to CPI's work with national leaders.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeopen.spotify.com/show/50t6sKx8Mg22QqtOJjTaFn
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/centre-for-public-impact

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Centre for Public Impact