The business landscape is evolving, with Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) goals becoming an obligation and an attractive business proposition. This shift is demonstrated by the rise of corporations like Inspired Adventures, a B Corp-certified and carbon-neutral enterprise, transforming how businesses perceive and cultivate their company culture.

Inspired Adventures, a pioneering female-founded charity challenge agency, has been at the forefront of orchestrating corporate philanthropic expeditions since 2004. The agency’s expeditions are designed to blend the business world and philanthropy, fostering team spirit while contributing to societal causes. With $45 million raised via 741 successfully completed challenges by nearly 8,000 participants over 19 years, the enterprise has experienced an increased demand from businesses seeking innovative ways to boost their ESG impact.

An enlightening study conducted by Oracle in 2022 revealed that 69% of Australians would willingly leave their current employer for a company demonstrating a more substantial commitment to environmental and social causes. Additionally, 83% would invest in entities showing tangible progress in these areas. Similarly, Handshake’s survey revealed a noteworthy increase in job listings incorporating terms like “sustainability,” “climate pact,” and “climate corporate responsibility” between mid-2020 and late 2022, further validating the growing emphasis on ESG goals.

Inspired Adventures

“As the B Corp community expands and carbon neutrality becomes the standard, employees seek more profound, hands-on impact experiences from their employers,” states Justine Curtis, Founder and CEO of Inspired Adventures. Curtis indicates a surge of businesses approaching them to provide their employees with tangible, action-oriented exemplifications of their ESG commitments.

With a network of 339 Australian and New Zealand charities, Inspired Adventures offers businesses an immediate investment opportunity to enhance their ESG impact while enriching their employees’ life experiences. The firm’s offerings also create a significant financial impact, with the average attendee raising $5,400 for their selected charity.

Earlier in 2023, DUAL, an insurance agency prioritising sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), participated in the Three Peaks Victoria challenge facilitated by Inspired Adventures. They raised a commendable $39,000 for Black Dog Institute, an organisation aiming to reduce the incidence of mental illness and the stigma around it.

As Head of CSR at DUAL, Emily Coates lauded the efforts, stating, “The amount we raised for the Black Dog Institute exceeded our expectations. The DUAL team, though based in different offices, connected as if we’ve known each other for years. All thanks to the Inspired Adventures team for making this possible.”

These charitable expeditions resonate with the emerging trend of impact investing, as per data from the Responsible Investing Association of Australasia (RIAA), Australia’s impact investment sector reportedly represents 43% of the total market. The number of investment managers reporting social and environmental outcomes of investments has grown from 21% in 2019 to 45% in 2022, a growth of over 50%.

Through initiatives like those of Inspired Adventures, businesses enhance their ESG goals and company culture and invest in their employees’ development. As organisations increasingly recognise the value of ESG commitments, initiatives like philanthropic expeditions are becoming a novel route to achieving these goals. With Inspired Adventures, businesses can successfully navigate this journey, turning fundraising adventures into a powerful tool for positive impact.

Written by: My Thanh Pham

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