ImpactCollab is a digital platform developed by AVPN, one of Asia’s better-known networks of social investors. It helps members and grantmakers discover and evaluate verified social purpose organisations across the region. The platform offers tiered access to standardised profiles, governance assessments and due diligence tools to support informed decision-making, particularly for new and cross-border donors. Unlike platforms such as the Community Foundation of Singapore, Asia Philanthropy Circle and The Majurity Trust, which focus on community engagement and capacity building, ImpactCollab targets the needs of financial institutions. It focuses on governance and compliance requirements that can discourage client participation in philanthropy. Designed for integration with wealth advice ImpactCollab addresses a gap in advisory services. Kevin Teo, chief technology officer at AVPN and head of ImpactCollab, noted that while Singapore has over 5,000 private banking relationship managers, fewer than 10 serve as full-time philanthropy advisors. Most clients initiate giving conversations themselves, often without structured guidance. ImpactCollab provides simplified organisational profiles and clear, jargon-free resources that make it easier for relationship managers to introduce philanthropy within broader wealth planning. “If we reach even 1% of Singapore’s relationship managers, that is already far more than what the philanthropy advisory community currently serves,” said Teo. Barriers to effective giving persist despite rising wealth While private wealth is growing, many high-net-worth individuals find it difficult to give effectively due to limited access to reliable information and regulatory complexity. At the same time, reductions in public development aid have widened funding gaps. Teo pointed to the decline in Official Development Assistance (ODA) as a significant concern. ODA refers to financial aid from wealthy countries for development and humanitarian needs in lower-income nations. In 2024, ODA from Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) members fell by 7.1%, the first drop in five years. Further reductions are expected, increasing pressure on private capital to help close funding gaps. Despite this urgency, philanthropic activity remains concentrated among a small group of active donors. ImpactCollab seeks to lower the entry barrier by offering more structured pathways and credible, accessible information. “With ImpactCollab, AVPN lays the foundation for a more accountable, accessible and effective philanthropy ecosystem across Asia,” said Teo. “The platform supports both the aspirations of funders and the capabilities of local social impact organisations.” Built with financial institutions in mind The platform’s development included consultations with major private banks, including Citi, DBS, HSBC, Standard Chartered, OCBC, UOB, BNP Paribas, Deutsche Bank, UBS, J.P. Morgan, Julius Baer and LGT Bank. “We consulted closely on what is needed to activate wealth holders towards social impact,” said Teo. These consultations helped shape features aligned with institutional standards and paved the way for early adoption. Citi Private Bank and LGT Private Banking are among the platform’s initial users. LGT Private Banking contributes through its ongoing partnership with AVPN, facilitated by LGT Venture Philanthropy. In March 2025, Citi launched new philanthropy advisory services in Asia, including donor-advised funds (DAFs) established in collaboration with AVPN. Governance framework enables informed giving These services reference ImpactCollab’s Governance Maturity Framework, developed by AVPN and the Lien Centre for Social Innovation at Singapore Management University (SMU). The framework provides a consistent method for assessing whether organisations meet baseline governance standards, which may help banks manage reputational risk when presenting philanthropic options to clients. “None of our principles contradict local laws, and they offer a common benchmark for assessing organisational integrity,” said Steve Loh, executive director of the Lien Centre for Social Innovation at SMU. He added that in countries without formal charity laws, the framework references existing company and civil society laws to ensure relevance across jurisdictions. AVPN has implemented this framework across its 18 Asian markets to assess organisations that meet both governance and contextual criteria. Over 400 organisations currently feature on the platform with standardised profiles designed to improve visibility and streamline reporting. Backed by financial and philanthropic institutions ImpactCollab has received support from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and the Gates Foundation. Gillian Tan, assistant managing director for development and international and chief sustainability officer at MAS, said, “In line with our vision to strengthen Singapore’s role as a trusted and responsible financial centre, the launch of ImpactCollab equips wealth managers with crucial tools for measuring the impact of social programmes in Asia.” Hari Menon, director for South and Southeast Asia at the Gates Foundation, added, “The Gates Foundation supported the design of the platform to help ensure it meets global standards for reliability and impact management, so more capital can reach the organisations delivering real results on the ground.” Next phase: outcome-based funding Co-developed with Tri-Sector Associates, the Outcomes Marketplace will introduce tools such as standardised contracts and third-party validation to support capital allocation linked to measurable social outcomes. ImpactCollab aims to help mobilise up to $100 million for the social sector by 2030. ImpactCollab supports more informed engagement between funders and social purpose organisations. While its focus on compliance may limit its reach into grassroots collaboration, it addresses persistent trust and transparency issues and encourages more private wealth to contribute to social impact across Asia.
