Investing in Impact: Philanthropy, Social Entrepreneurship & Scale
Lunch with Jim Bildner
The Harvard Club of Australia invites you to join us for an intimate lunch and conversation with Jim Bildner, CEO of the Draper Richards Kaplan (DRK) Foundation and a faculty member at Harvard Kennedy School, during his visit to Sydney in September.
Jim is one of the world’s leading voices in venture philanthropy and social impact. Through DRK, he works with social entrepreneurs and organisations tackling some of the world’s most pressing challenges, using a distinctive model that combines funding with intensive, long-term support. He is a highly regarded speaker and brings deep experience across philanthropy, social entrepreneurship and the scaling of organisations capable of creating lasting change.
Jim will share insights from his work supporting inspiring social entrepreneurs tackling issues such as homelessness, recidivism, youth mental health and healthcare, and reflect on the role philanthropy can play in helping these organisations grow their impact. The conversation will also address impact investing and catalytic capital, and the importance of building capability to support scale."
Jim has recently written a book A Matter of Hope which you will be able to purchase and have signed by the author.
Jim will be in Australia to present at the Philanthropy Conference in Brisbane and will be in Sydney for one day only. We are very pleased to have the opportunity to bring together a small group of our partners and donors to hear from Jim, learn from his experience and take part in an informal discussion about philanthropy, impact and the role that ambitious social entrepreneurs can play in addressing complex social challenges.
DATE: Thursday, 10 September 2026
TIME: 12.00 pm – 2.00 pm
WHERE: Perpetual, Angel Place, Level 18, 123 Pitt Street, Sydney
TICKET: $25 Guests | $35 Members
We very much hope you can join us for what promises to be a fascinating and thought-provoking conversation.
Please RSVP to admin@harvardclub.org.au by 3 September.
You can read some of Jim's perspectives here:
https://ssir.org/articles/entry/instead_of_disruption_leverage_what_already_exists
https://ssir.org/articles/entry/impact_investing_cant_deliver_by_chasing_market_returns