A new player in Philippine social finance expects that technology and tighter guardrails can fix the trust deficit in grassroots fundraising.
Initiate Global Foundation (IGF) officially launched on Feb. 16, positioning itself as a sustainability and social impact arm of Initiate PH. The group claims to be the country’s first social fintech enterprise of its kind, aiming to professionalize how Filipinos fund advocacy, nonprofit and community-driven projects.
Rather than simply hosting donation drives, IGF says it will equip non-government organizations, social enterprises and local advocates with structured funding tools designed to produce measurable outcomes. Campaigns will undergo vetting, and partners will be guided in crafting sustainable financing models — a shift from episodic charity to longer-term capital formation.
The timing is strategic. As Initiate PH awaits its secondary license from the Securities and Exchange Commission to expand public fundraising services, IGF will act as a conduit for grassroots initiatives. That dual-track approach allows the broader platform to build credibility and pipeline while regulatory approvals are pending.
“IGF proves that real change isn’t just a dream — it’s possible when technology, responsibility, and compassion come together,” said chairman Bertln Batiancila.
The foundation also rolled out Initiate 2030, aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, to channel funding into education, health, livelihood and climate action projects.
More broadly, IGF expects transparency will unlock more capital. In a market where informal giving dominates and reporting standards vary widely, IGF’s pitch hinges on accountability as a competitive advantage. If it can deliver clear impact metrics and enforce governance standards, it could help formalize a fragmented sector — and turn goodwill into a more disciplined asset class.
