14 Oct Social Impact Partners and Clean Air Network join hands
Hong Kong, 14 October 2015. Social Impact Partners (“SIP”) today announced it will provide Clean Air Network (“CAN”) with grant funding of HKD 2.55 million over the course of three years (2015-2017) combined with hands-on management support and in-kind business expertise. SIP, along with its affiliates, will focus in particular on helping to build a long-term and sustainable fundraising platform that can support CAN as it now enters a critical phase of its growth.
“We are delighted that SIP has joined us in our mission to clean the air of Hong Kong,” said Stephen Wong, Chairman, Clean Air Network. “Since starting this journey six years ago, we have become the principal voice and recognized authority for clean air in our city. As we now actively work to raise the level of our operation, we are confident that together with SIP, we will have the resources and momentum to drive clean air further up the civic and corporate agendas of Hong Kong.”
Clean Air Network is a Hong Kong-based independent NGO that encourages the public to speak out on the issue of air pollution. In 2014 alone, air pollution in the city was estimated to have resulted in HKD 33 billion in economic losses and to have driven an increasing trend of talent drain, as well as ever-growing health concerns for the broader populationi. Focused on raising public awareness of these long-term and systemic risks, CAN brings together and amplifies the voices of individuals, groups and organisations in urging the Government to take immediate action to clean the air. Media, local communities and academics all turn to CAN for its civic action and educational programs, timely analysis of government policies, and abundant resources on air pollution, public health and policy information.
As it drives multiple and increasingly high-profile educational campaigns in the coming years, CAN will be internally focused on building the organisational infrastructure that can support this expansion. To this end, SIP will help to position CAN long-term for cultivating strategic relationships with flagship corporate partners; securing endorsements; and maintaining a diversified fundraising network.
Roy Kuan, Chairman, SIP, said: “Improving the air quality of Hong Kong is a fundamental priority for both the health of its people and the competitiveness of the city itself. It affects all of us, and we are proud that SIP will be able to help Clean Air Network to raise this issue in the minds of all citizens —both individuals and corporates alike.”
“Through this collaboration, we are setting out to mobilise the business community in Hong Kong to become a force for cleaner air,” added Lindy Lek, Executive Director, SIP. “We are eager to activate our full network of partners in equipping CAN to make an even deeper and more meaningful impact on our city.”
Value Added Support
In supporting CAN’s development and implementation of a comprehensive corporate engagement and fundraising strategy, Social Impact Partners will be working with advisory firm Brunswick Group on an ongoing basis. As part of its earlier due diligence on CAN, SIP has also already secured the expert counsel of other professional service providers in its network: Clifford Chance advised on legal and compliance due diligence; PwC conducted a financial review, and SS Plus Limited drove an internal management audit for CAN and subsequently led the recruitment of its Corporate Development Manager. In kind support of expanded office space has also been secured from the Wyng Space program to accommodate the expanded CAN team.
“Already, the access to SIP resources and counsel is helping us to better engage new partners, raise funds and increase public awareness,” said Sum Yin Kwong, CEO, Clean Air Network. “Clean Air Network looks forward to significantly advancing our long-term fundraising and development goals over the term of our collaboration with Social Impact Partners.”
About Clean Air Network
Clean Air Network (CAN) is an independent NGO that educates the public about the health impacts of air pollution. CAN aims to be a network that amplifies the voices of individuals, groups and organizations so that together we can urge the Hong Kong government to take immediate action to clean our air. CAN has become the principal voice for clean air. It is widely known for its civic action, education programs targeting schools, politicians and the general public, as well as timely analyses of government policies. All have helped build public and media understanding of the need for more effective air quality policies.
About Social Impact Partners
Social Impact Partners (SIP) is a venture philanthropy fund that provides human, financial and intellectual support to social purpose organisations (SPO). As a registered charity in Hong Kong (IR File No. 91/13550), SIP seeks to create sustained change and to achieve long-lasting impact for Hong Kong’s most vulnerable people and communities through partnership and collaboration.
SIP investees or grantees include both non-profit organisations and social enterprises, which are selected based on the social impact created by their solutions, their growth potential as an organisation and the leadership and capability of the management. SIP provides funding and management advice by utilising its expertise and network in the business sector to support the SPOs’ sustainable growth in the mid-long term. On average, SIP provides financing in the amount of 2.5 million HKD to SPOs over three to four years subject to performance milestones, and it also offers strategic counsel and guidance supported by its network partners, most of whom contribute their expertise on a pro bono basis.
SIP is supported by donations from high net worth individuals and the foundations of private equity funds, including CVC Asia Pacific Limited and Baring Private Equity Asia.
i According to the 2014 Hedley Environmental Index, compiled by the School of Public Health at the University of Hong Kong. The report also found that last year, air pollution in Hong Kong resulted in 174,926 hospital stays and 4.3 million doctor visits.