Role of Rally Philanthropy in the funding ecosystem
Rally Philanthropy is an educational foundation established and initially funded by Upkar Arora, CEO of Rally Assets. It operates as a registered Canadian charity with a mandate to advance education in responsible investing, impact investing, social finance, social entrepreneurship, conscious capitalism and community development. While Rally Assets is a for-profit impact investment manager, Rally Philanthropy is its philanthropic arm, designed to channel charitable resources into research, education and training that strengthen the impact investing sector.
The foundation works in partnership with other charities, nonprofits and aligned organizations to design and deliver educational initiatives. These collaborations can include research projects, training programs and other sector-building activities that help investors, practitioners and communities better understand and apply impact investing approaches. Funds for these activities come from donations, grants and fees, and Rally Assets has committed to donating up to 5% of its profits on a rolling three-year basis to Rally Philanthropy to further this work and, where appropriate, to support the broader impact investing ecosystem.
Public benefit and areas of support
With a stated commitment to the public good, Rally Philanthropy aims to share the results of its work widely so that large audiences and multiple stakeholders benefit. Its focus is not on running retail investment products but on strengthening the knowledge and practices that underpin responsible and impact investing. This includes contributing to research on market trends, publishing educational resources, and supporting training that equips asset owners, fund managers and community organizations to mobilize capital in line with social and environmental goals.
Partnerships and sector impact
The foundation’s activities are closely linked to Rally Assets’ broader efforts to “activate capital” in support of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and justice-oriented outcomes. By working with partners across the charitable and nonprofit sectors, Rally Philanthropy helps to grow a more informed and resilient impact investing ecosystem in Canada. Its discretionary, partnership-based approach allows it to respond to emerging needs in the field rather than operate only through rigid grant programs.