We sat down with Bhanvi Kapoor Anand, Portfolio and Partnerships Manager at Snow Foundation, to explore how Snow Foundation and Sefa collaborate to support impact-led organisations across different stages of growth – and how partnerships like this can amplify impact for everyone involved.
Over the years, this relationship has supported ventures like Clean Slate Clinic, RoboFit and Tender Funerals, blending grants, investment and debt in ways that reflect each organisation’s journey. It’s a partnership built on shared values, trust and a clear understanding of what different forms of capital can unlock when used well.
Where philanthropy meets investment
Founded in 1991, the Snow Foundation is a leading family philanthropic organisation committed to achieving meaningful social change in Australia. It supports transformative initiatives with a focus on women and girls, First Nations communities, LGBTIQ+ people, youth, the community where the family live and work, and the broader for-purpose sector ecosystem.
Snow Foundation offers early support through multi-year growth grants and practical capacity building, assisting organisations to establish strong foundations and, where appropriate, prepare for investment. It then offers catalytic debt or equity investments to drive community-led innovation. As organisations mature, Sefa steps in with further investment-readiness support and flexible finance, enabling growth while keeping impact at the centre.
Clean Slate Clinic is a strong example of grant, capacity building and investment. They were accepted into the Snow Foundation’s Snow Entrepreneurs program which provided an initial grant and capacity building support allowing co-founder Pia Clinton-Tarestad to focus full-time on developing the model. A subsequent growth grant supported user acquisition to demonstrate traction, while capacity-building strengthened the business model, governance, and marketing. With this groundwork, Clean Slate raised seed capital, led by Snow Foundation, to expand its reach and prepare for international growth. Once ready to scale, Sefa provided a working capital loan, to boost operating capacity.
The loan came from the Growth Capital allocation within the $5 million Sefa Loan Fund –dedicated to higher-risk, high-impact investments specifically designed for impact-led organisations on the cusp of profitability or poised for expansion.
“We’ve often journeyed alongside the founder for a couple of years,” Bhanvi says. “So, by the time they connect with Sefa, there’s already a clear understanding of the model, the risks, and the potential – and importantly, a foundation of trust.”
Matching capital to context
Snow Foundation and Sefa work with each organisation based on where they’re at and what will support them best.
“What I love about both Snow Foundation and Sefa is the level of flexibility,” says Pia of Clean Slate Clinic. “We’re not a DGR not-for-profit, and we’re not a traditional for-profit. We’re impact first. Having funders who can work in that space made all the difference.”
RoboFit followed a slightly different route. Snow Foundation supported the team with early-stage grant funding and wrap-around support, then introduced them to Sefa when they needed growth capital to open new sites.
“It’s about building something sustainable,” says RoboFit Co-Founder, Maryanne Harris.
“Accessing the right support at the right time gave us the stability to focus on our impact and move beyond just getting by.”
Debt as a tool for sustainability
Debt isn’t always the first or most suitable option for impact-led organisations. But some founders are starting to explore its potential as part of a broader financing strategy.
“We are seeing more openness to different funding pathways,” Bhanvi says. “It’s still a learning curve for both funders and founders, and it requires honest conversations to identify what truly aligns with an organisation’s goals – whether that’s debt, equity or a blend.”
“When structured appropriately, debt can offer clarity and predictability, helping organisations plan and grow.”
It may also reduce long-term reliance on grants and support financial sustainability.
For some social enterprises, working with a values-aligned finance partner can make a difference. “What’s helpful is when finance is structured around the organisation’s needs,” Bhanvi adds. “That kind of flexibility can support growth without compromising purpose.”
Debt isn’t for everyone, and it’s important to approach it with care. For founders worried about losing ownership or control, it can offer a non-dilutive path—but only when it’s the right fit.
A collaborative model for funders
This approach may not suit every foundation, but there are ways to engage without managing direct investments. Partnering with intermediaries like Sefa can allow funders to support impact-led organisations while staying aligned with their own capacity and strategy.
“When funders are aligned, it creates more coherence for social enterprises and helps them move through stages of growth without starting from scratch each time.”
“It can be better for the founder, better for the funder and better for the ecosystem.”
If you're a funder or foundation looking to support impact-led organisations throughout their growth trajectory, we’d love to hear from you.
At Sefa, we know that the right kind of capital, at the right time, can help impact-led organisations grow their impact sustainably and confidently.
