Gerhart Talks Series

The following research brief explores how the African Venture Philanthropy Alliance (AVPA) is reimagining sustainable development finance across Africa through innovative models including blended finance, impact investing, and catalytic philanthropy. Drawing on insights from AVPA CEO Frank Aswani, the brief examines how mobilizing public, private, and philanthropic capital together can help address Africa’s growing development financing gap while advancing locally led, long-term solutions.

Citation:

Shoair, K. (2026). Mobilizing the capital continuum: The African Venture Philanthropy Alliance's framework for social investment. In Creative finance for social impact (Vol. 1, Chapter 3). Gerhart Talks Research Briefs, The American University in Cairo, Onsi Sawiris School of Business.

This research brief is based on a Gerhart Center conversation with Paul Ronalds, CEO of Save the Children Global Ventures (SCGV). It examines how SCGV serves as a model for NGOs to move beyond grants, reconfigure investment capital, and ultimately develop new impact finance architectures.

Citation:
Shoair, K. (2026). Can NGOs scale innovative finance for social impact? Exploring Save the Children’s Venture Fund. In Creative finance for social impact (Vol. 1, Chapter 2). Gerhart Talks Research Briefs, The American University in Cairo, Onsi Sawiris School of Business.  

Webinar Recording

This research examines Acumen’s innovative model of patient capital and its role in creating dignified, resilient livelihoods in under served communities.

Citation:
Gerhart Center for Philanthropy. (2025). The Promise of Patient Capital: Understanding Acumen’s Impact Investing Approach in Gerhart Thoughts Research Briefs (Vol. 1: Creative Finance for Social Impact).

Webinar Recording