Intermediaries Matter: The Hidden Infrastructure of Social Impact

​Event Description

Much of the social sector conversation focuses on funders and frontline organizations. But in between sits a critical, often overlooked layer: intermediaries. These organizations provide the infrastructure that enables funding to flow, compliance to be met, partnerships to function, and impact to be measured.

Too often, this layer is dismissed as overhead. Yet without it, systems struggle to operate effectively, especially across borders and in complex environments. As aid budgets shrink and funding becomes more constrained, this “invisible infrastructure” is often the first to be cut, despite being essential to the stability of the entire ecosystem.

This discussion explores the role of intermediaries as core system enablers. What does it take to build a well-resourced, globally connected infrastructure that supports civil society organizations to do their work effectively and accountably? How can funders rethink their approach to supporting this layer, moving from cost-minimization to strategic investment?

Grounded in practical examples, this session will examine what is working, what remains fragmented or underfunded, and how intermediaries, including those rooted in the Global Majority, are adapting in a changing funding landscape.

Speakers

• ​Bonnie Chiu is Managing Director of The Social Investment Consultancy, leading a global network influencing capital flows through strategy, evidence, and innovation for equity and inclusion.

• ​Caroline Burrage is Co-Founder of Latitude Global, advancing cross-border philanthropy through practical systems, transparency, and due diligence.

• ​Chris Jochnick is CEO of Landesa, a global land rights organization, with a background in human rights, corporate accountability, and law.

• ​Josephine Mejia Johnson is a Development Officer at Planet Indonesia, focused on shifting power to local communities to protect ecosystems and shape sustainable futures.

• ​Helen Olowofeso is Grants Manager at Business for Health Solutions, supporting funding initiatives that strengthen health outcomes and development impact.

• ​Disha Sughand is Co-CEO of Womankind Worldwide, with over 25 years advancing social justice, women’s rights, and feminist leadership.

• ​Elaine Gibbons is Chief Impact Officer at Panorama Global, bringing cross-sector leadership in philanthropy, global health, and financial services.

​Discussion Questions
What roles do intermediaries play that are currently undervalued or misunderstood?
How does underinvestment in this layer affect the effectiveness of the broader system?
What would it take for funders to treat intermediaries as strategic infrastructure rather than overhead?
How are intermediaries evolving in response to shifting funding models and increased demand for accountability?