Development Partner Institute
Development Partner Institute is a 501c6 non-profit that convenes mining companies, governments, Indigenous communities, investors, and academia around its Development Partner Framework, delivering programs including the Catalyst Series, RESCO, MIRB, and Youth Salon.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2017
- HeadquartersChicago, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Development Partner Institute does
Development Partner Institute (DPI) is a 501c6 non-profit organization founded in January 2017 and headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, that operates as a global coalition-building and convening platform for the mining sector. The organization's core offering is the Development Partner Framework (DPF), a principles-based methodology built on three pillars (Shared Purpose, Flourishing Ecosystems, and Competitive Communities, Companies and Countries) that guides mining companies and their stakeholders to move beyond extractive operating models toward integrated development partnerships. The DPF was first developed in 2012, formally launched in December 2014 at a Ford Foundation-hosted event attended by over 100 leaders, refreshed in 2020, and has been credibly cited as a 10-year strategic influence on major miners including Anglo American.
DPI delivers its mission through a portfolio of programs: the Catalyst Series, which convenes regional multi-stakeholder dialogues using a four-step Scope-Sprint methodology; the Responsible Sourcing Coalition (RESCO), launched in September 2021 with the Rockefeller Foundation to address structural inequality across the minerals value chain; the Mining Innovation and Research Battlefield (MIRB), a competitive research-to-industry platform piloting innovations for sustainable development challenges; the Youth Salon, a monthly virtual convening connecting Indigenous youth across Canada, Australia, and the US; and the Deep Dives podcast for industry thought leadership.
DPI operates with a lean team (1-10 employees) distributed across Australia, Canada, and the United States, governed by a board chaired by co-founder Peter Bryant with co-founder Mark Cutifani (former Anglo American CEO) as Non-Executive Director. The organization's go-to-market is community-led rather than commercial: DPI engages through partnerships, events, content marketing, and direct convening rather than traditional sales. Its revenue model is partnership and membership-based, supported by Core Partners (Vale, ARCA), foundation grants (Rockefeller), program partners (Amira Global, Claro, FNMPC), and Innovation Grant sponsorships (Anglo American, BHP Xplor), with most programs offered free to participants.
Development Partner Institute firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Development Partner Institute
- Legal name
- The Development Partner Institute
- Website
- https://dpimining.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2017
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Development Partner Institute is a 501c6 non-profit that convenes mining companies, governments, Indigenous communities, investors, and academia around its Development Partner Framework, delivering programs including the Catalyst Series, RESCO, MIRB, and Youth Salon.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Development Partner Institute industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Mining Industry Convening
- NAICS
- Environmental Consulting Services (54162), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133), Business Associations (813910)
- SIC
- Services-Management Consulting Services (8742), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Stakeholder Engagement, Indigenous/Tribal Consultation & Social Impact (SIA) (EUAHAAAH)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Community Engagement & Participatory Planning (BPAHAKAO)
Keywords
Where Development Partner Institute is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Chicago
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
Development Partner Institute business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Partnership and Membership Funding: DPI operates as a for-purpose, not-for-profit organization funded by partners who invest in DPI's goals with funding commitments. Organizations can become funding partners to support DPI programs and initiatives.
- Innovation Grant Program Sponsorship: Companies sponsor the Mining Innovation and Research Battlefield, providing innovation grants (e.g., US$25,000) to winning researchers. Sponsors include Anglo American, BHP Xplor.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels7 records
Development Partner Institute product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Development Partner Institute (DPI) convenes multi-stakeholder dialogues across the global mining value chain—mining companies, Indigenous communities, governments, investors, and academia—anchored by its proprietary Development Partner Framework (DPF). It delivers this through structured programs: regional Catalyst Series events, the Mining Innovation and Research Battlefield (MIRB) innovation competition, the Responsible Sourcing Coalition (RESCO), the Youth Salon for Indigenous youth, and the Deep Dives thought-leadership podcast.
Product overview
Development Partner Institute (DPI) is a global 501c6 non-profit organization that operates as a coalition-building and dialogue facilitation platform for the mining industry. Rather than a single software product, DPI offers a portfolio of programs centered around the Development Partner Framework (DPF), which is a principles-based approach guiding mining companies toward sustainable development partnerships. The core product is complemented by several program offerings: the Mining Innovation and Research Battlefield (MIRB) for connecting academia with industry through innovation competitions; RESCO for responsible sourcing coalition activities; Youth Salon for engaging Indigenous and youth voices; and the Catalyst Series for regional multi-stakeholder dialogue initiatives. Additionally, DPI produces the Deep Dives podcast for thought leadership dissemination.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- RESCO: The Responsible Sourcing Coalition - a coalition and platform for deep engagement, learning and discovery to accelerate mining's transformation from extractive industry to development partner.
- MIRB
- Youth Salon
- Country Catalysts
- Deep Dives
Products and services
- Development Partner Framework (DPF) A principles-based methodology with three pillars (Shared Purpose, Flourishing Ecosystems, Competitive Communities, Companies & Countries) that guides mining companies to become integrated development partners delivering economic, environmental, and social value. Used by mining majors like Anglo American for over a decade.
- Mining Innovation and Research Battlefield (MIRB) An annual global competition that bridges research, academia, and the mining industry by inviting researchers and entrepreneurs to pitch solutions to sustainable development challenges. Winners receive innovation grants (e.g., US$25,000) sponsored by partners such as Anglo American and BHP Xplor.
- RESCO (Responsible Sourcing Coalition) A coalition and engagement platform bringing together value chain stakeholders from communities to consumer-facing companies (e.g., Tiffany, BMW) for deep engagement, learning, and discovery to enable responsible sourcing beyond compliance.
- Youth Salon Monthly virtual events connecting Indigenous youth and First Nations people aged 18-35 to discuss challenges facing them regarding energy expansion and mining community development, with participants primarily from provincial Canada, Australia, and the USA.
- Catalyst Series Regional Catalyst events that convene government agencies, community leaders, mining companies, and small businesses to tackle specific, complex regional or national mining value chain challenges using an inclusive, four-step sprint process.
- Deep Dives Podcast A podcast featuring interviews with mining leaders, academics, Indigenous voices, and innovators on topics related to sustainable mining, responsible sourcing, and development partnerships.
Quantifiable outcome
- DPI's influence on Anglo American's strategic development over 10 years led directly to the development of Impact Catalyst in South Africa and Anglo American's industry-leading Social Way approach.
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use Development Partner Institute
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Development Partner Institute technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Development Partner Institute partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, program and implementation.
- Rockefeller FoundationcorePartnership formed in September 2021 to launch RESCO - The Responsible Sourcing Coalition. Rockefeller Foundation provides funding and strategic support for the coalition's vision of a minerals value chain free from structural inequality.
- ValecoreVale is a Core Partner of DPI, providing funding and strategic alignment with DPI's goals for sustainable mining transformation.
- ARCAcoreARCA (mineral carbonation technology company) joined DPI as an Associate Partner in February 2025, ensuring Traditional Owners and stakeholders are engaged from the outset in designing carbon removal projects. Partnership involves work with Tjiwarl Aboriginal Corporation on carbon removal on traditional lands in Western Australia.
- First Nations Major Projects Coalition (FNMPC)coreFNMPC is a Program Partner working with DPI on the Youth Salon initiative. They co-convene monthly virtual sessions and delegate programs connecting Indigenous youth to discuss mining community development challenges.
- Amira GlobalprogramAmira Global is listed as a Program Partner supporting DPI initiatives.
- ClaroprogramClaro is listed as a Program Partner supporting DPI initiatives.
- Colorado School of MinesprogramColorado School of Mines is partnered with DPI to develop an online course on the Development Partner Framework, planned for 2026 launch.
- Hyve GroupimplementationImplementation partner for the Mining Innovation and Research Battlefield, providing conference hosting and event management support.
- Brunswick GroupimplementationImplementation partner for the Mining Innovation and Research Battlefield, providing communications support.
- Tjiwarl Aboriginal CorporationcoreDPI, in partnership with ARCA, works with Tjiwarl Aboriginal Corporation on Regional Catalyst work exploring turning mine rehabilitation into a carbon removal industry on Tjiwarl lands in Western Australia.
- Climate Recovery InstituteprogramARCA announced partnership with Climate Recovery Institute (a not-for-profit working with governments, industry and communities) as part of carbon removal industry development in Australia.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Development Partner Institute competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- World Benchmarking Alliance: WBA publishes rankings and benchmarks of company performance on the SDGs, including in extractives. Comparable to DPI on producing assessments and convening stakeholders around corporate sustainability performance.
- MiningWatch Canada: MiningWatch Canada is an advocacy organization promoting socially and ecologically responsible mining. Overlaps with DPI's work on Indigenous rights and community engagement in mining regions, but from an advocacy rather than convening lens.
- Rocky Mountain Institute: RMI is a clean-energy-focused research and convening organization that co-hosted the 2019 Accelerating Towards a Cleaner Energy Future Spark Forum with DPI. Comparable as a non-profit convener at the intersection of energy transition and resource industries.
- Sustainable Minerals Institute: SMI at the University of Queensland conducts research and convening on sustainable mining. Comparable to DPI on multi-stakeholder engagement and research dissemination; Florence Drummond has prior association with SMI.
- International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD): IISD is a research and policy institute focused on sustainable development, including extractive industries governance. Overlaps with DPI in convening multi-stakeholder dialogue on mining policy and sustainability standards.
- Earthworks: Earthworks is a U.S. NGO focused on mining's impacts on communities, water, and climate. Overlaps with DPI in addressing mining's social license and community impacts, particularly through reform of hardrock mining practices.
Direct peers
- International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM): ICMM is the global industry association for mining and metals, convening major mining companies around sustainable development, ESG standards, and stakeholder engagement. Directly comparable to DPI as a multi-stakeholder mining convenor and standards-setter.
- Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA): IRMA develops and operates the leading independent standard for responsible mining, convening industry, NGOs, communities, and unions. Shares DPI's mandate of independent, multi-stakeholder oversight of mining's social and environmental performance.
- Responsible Minerals Initiative (RMI): RMI is an industry coalition addressing responsible sourcing of minerals from conflict-affected areas, with member companies across the supply chain. Closely comparable to RESCO on responsible sourcing of minerals.
Regional players
- First Nations Major Projects Coalition (FNMPC): FNMPC is a Canadian Indigenous-led organization partnering with DPI on the Youth Salon. Comparable as an Indigenous-advocacy and convening body in mining, though its geographic and stakeholder scope is narrower than DPI's.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Development Partner Institute social profiles
Digital presenceDevelopment Partner Institute financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Development Partner Institute leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles8 records
Development Partner Institute funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Development Partner Institute 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 Development Partner Institute
What does Development Partner Institute do?
Development Partner Institute (DPI) convenes multi-stakeholder dialogues across the global mining value chain—mining companies, Indigenous communities, governments, investors, and academia—anchored by its proprietary Development Partner Framework (DPF). It delivers this through structured programs: regional Catalyst Series events, the Mining Innovation and Research Battlefield (MIRB) innovation competition, the Responsible Sourcing Coalition (RESCO), the Youth Salon for Indigenous youth, and the Deep Dives thought-leadership podcast.
Is Development Partner Institute a public or private company?
Development Partner Institute is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Development Partner Institute founded?
Development Partner Institute was founded in 2017. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Development Partner Institute based?
Development Partner Institute is headquartered in Chicago, United States, in the North America region.
How does Development Partner Institute make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Partnership and Membership Funding is the primary driver. The others are innovation Grant Program Sponsorship.
Who are Development Partner Institute's main competitors?
Emerging players on record are World Benchmarking Alliance, MiningWatch Canada, Rocky Mountain Institute, Sustainable Minerals Institute, International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and Earthworks. Direct peers are International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM), Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA) and Responsible Minerals Initiative (RMI). First Nations Major Projects Coalition (FNMPC) is listed as a regional player.
Does Development Partner Institute have an API?
No public API is recorded for Development Partner Institute.
What industry is Development Partner Institute in?
Development Partner Institute's product category is Mining Industry Convening. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EUAHAAAH, Stakeholder Engagement, Indigenous/Tribal Consultation & Social Impact (SIA), with a secondary code of BPAHAKAO, Community Engagement & Participatory Planning. Its NAICS code is 54162 and its SIC code is 8742.