MAKING AN IMPACT: REAL SOLUTIONS FOR COMPLEX PROBLEMS
WE HELP YOU CREATE REAL IMPACT
OUR STORY
RIA /ˈriːə/ adjective
INDONESIAN, MALAY definition:
cheerful, joy
Real Impact Advisors (RIA) is a philanthropy and impact advisory that aims to help communities thrive, create systems that work, and ensure lasting sustainability in Asia.
We work with funders to create strategies that suit them, and support their partners with capacity building for transformational change and growth. We help international foundations and NGOs to navigate the Asian markets, connecting them with the right partners through our extensive network, and effectively maneuver the cultural and regulatory landscape. RIA also designs, catalyses and creates new initiatives and solutions to address broken systems and complex issues in the social and environment sectors.
OUR CREED
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We are committed to ‘doing things right’
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We are professional, practical and efficient
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We work on trust
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We aim for catalytic transformation
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It’s not about ‘us’
OUR VISION
Influencing an Impact sector in Asia that creates catalytic transformation with Real Impact
OUR MISSION
Solving Real problems for communities by ‘Doing Things Right’
WHO WE ARE
Real Impact Advisors was co-founded by Stacey Choe and Natalie Kennedy, who collectively have more than 20 years’ experience in the philanthropy and impact sector in Asia. What they realised in their many years of working with Asian philanthropists, international foundations and Asia-based NGOs is that whilst there are many who want to contribute, many are often unsure about where and how to deliver real impact. Now we, Real Impact Advisors, are here to help.
We are an action-oriented team that will help you cut through the noise of the impact space and Asian landscape with our decades of experience in the sector and region. We understand the gaps in the regional ecosystem, the concerns and aspirations of philanthropists, plus the needs of the organisations working on the ground. We also love the blank canvas that comes with building something new, and we have experience working at multiple tempos -- whether this means a patient, iterative approach or delivering on a timeline with a blaring sense of urgency. We aim to help communities thrive, create systems that work, and ensure lasting sustainability in the region.
We help you create Real Impact that makes a difference.
OUR SERVICES
ADVISORY
ADVISORY
Strategic review and planning, research, partnership development, programme evaluation, and other advisory support, for:
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Individual philanthropists
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Families and family offices
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Institutions and foundations
MARKET ENTRY AND PROJECT DEVELOPMENT
MARKET ENTRY AND PROJECT DEVELOPMENT
Support for launch of new initiatives in the region for:
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Ex-Asia orgs seeking to build presence or programming in Asia
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Newly established regional/local entities seeking upstart or ongoing sector expertise support
PROGRAMME DESIGN, MANAGEMENT AND ASSESSMENT
PROGRAMME DESIGN, MANAGEMENT AND ASSESSMENT
Landscape studies, iterative programme design, and/or implementation support, for:
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Early stage initiatives seeking strategy and implementation capacity
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Organizations seeking initial leadership, management or longer-term support
CAPACITY BUILDING
CAPACITY BUILDING
Programme evaluation, strategic review and design, partnership development / fundraising and other capacity building, for:
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Grant partners of funders in the region seeking to grow their impact
WHO WE WORK WITH
Stacey and Natalie are experienced working with global foundations, international NGOs and multilaterals like Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, MacArthur Foundation, GAVI, European Climate Foundation, UNHCR, UNDP and UNICEF, in helping them connect with the right partners in Asia.
They also support families and foundations across Asia to build up their strategy, recommending and partnering organizations on the ground, whilst building up the capacity of these grassroots charities and social enterprises for greater impact.
HOW WE WORK
We work behind the scenes with organisations and funders seeking to grow their impact in Asia
We are big believers in building and facilitating stronger infrastructure for philanthropy and impact in Asia
We love the blank canvas that comes with building something new, and we have experience working at multiple tempos - whether this means a patient, iterative approach or delivering on a timeline with a blaring sense of urgency
We are engaged on a project-, retainer-, or secondment/consultancy basis
WHO WE WORK WITH
Ex-Asia organisations seeking Asia-based expertise and support for new activities in the Asian ecosystem
Asia-based entities building new initiatives or programmes seeking to augment in-house capacity or tap into our proven launch support capabilities, from ideation to implementation
Individual philanthropists or foundations seeking advisory, partnership development or implementation support
Grant partners of any of the above stakeholders, seeking strategy or capacity building support
OUR TEAM
Our founding team is made up of passionate and experienced consultants who are dedicated to creating real impact for our clients.
OUR FOUNDERS
Stacey Choe and Natalie Kennedy draw on a breadth and depth of experience to build bespoke programs for RIA clients and expand existing frameworks for greater impact.
Passionate about ensuring their clients’ giving has the greatest impact possible, they often share their knowledge in interviews and writing, including as co-editors of the well-regarded A Philanthropist's Guide to Giving (March 2023).
They’ve been tapped as subject matter experts for research by AVPN, Asia’s leading social investor network; National Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre (Singapore); Climate Leadership Initiative; FSG, a global non-profit consulting firm; Give2Asia; Bridgespan; Cambridge Centre for Strategic Philanthropy; and Social Innovation Exchange.
Stacey and Natalie have both moderated and been panellists at a variety of industry events including AVPN Global Conference on Unlocking Cross Border Philanthropy; Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy's Philanthropists Insights for the Institute for Environment and Sustainability; Fireside Chat: Live from COP26 at APC's annual summit; Monetary Authority of Singapore Family Office Circle Webinar; Sustainable Finance Initiative Family Impact Summit (Hong Kong); Volunteerism Movement in Singapore at Global Pro Bono Summit; and Corporate Volunteering at the American Chamber of Commerce Singapore.
See Stacey's bio here
See Natalie's bio here
OUR TEAM MEMBERS
Elysia Chan - Associate
See Elysia's bio here
Kristy Gammell - Administrative Executive
See Kristy's bio here
Jarel Ang - Intern Associate
See Jarel's bio here
GET IN TOUCH
Are you interested in working with us at RIA? Learn more about our work culture and current opportunities by clicking here. For anything else, please drop us a note using the form below!
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Interested in working with us? Contact us via email or fill out the webform.
Real Impact Advisors
