Inside the Top 1%: Ambitious Impact's approach to a progressive workplace

Looking for a workplace that truly puts people first? Escape the City's Top 1% Employer Certification is setting a new gold standard for progressive organisations. The campaign launched in January 2025 with 15 trailblazing companies making the cut - and now we are excited to announce that Ambitious Impact has joined this community of change-making organisations!

Purpose-driven, ambitious, and people-first - these organisations represent the future of work. The Top 1% Employer Certification isn’t just an accolade; it’s a statement. It’s a new benchmark for progressive organisations that are leading the way in creating exceptional workplace cultures.

So as Ambitious Impact joins this special Top 1% community, we spoke to their Recruitment Manager, Crystal Lam, to tell us more about the organisation and their team!

Could you briefly introduce yourself and your organisation?

Hi there! I’m Crystal, a Recruitment Manager at Ambitious Impact. We’re known for our Charity Entrepreneurship Incubation Program - the bootcamp for people who want to start high-impact nonprofits that actually work. Think of us as the launchpad that helps ambitious do-gooders turn research-backed plans into real, funded charities. This program has incubated more than 40 organisations launched, together reaching over 35 million people and 1 billion animals!

Beyond that, we’re building a whole ecosystem within the effective philanthropic space, running programs like AIM Research, which equips researchers with the skills to evaluate charitable interventions, the Grantmaking Program, which supports grantmakers in achieving the highest impact with their grants, and more. Basically, we are passionate about making the world better in the smartest way possible!

What makes you proud to be part of the Top 1%?

Being in the top 1% isn’t just a badge of honor for us - it’s a mindset. At Ambitious Impact, we’re not here to be good; we’re here to be the best. Research has shown that the best charities are more than 100 times more effective than average ones. The world has many problems, and there’s a lot of work to do. But we can’t do everything - so we have to be smart about what we take on. That means being razor-sharp about what matters most and how to tackle it in the most resource-efficient way possible. 

That’s why everything we do - our research, our programs, and the charities we help launch - is built around maximizing impact. And it works. Within just a few years of launching, our incubated charities have been recognised as some of the best in the world, attracting support from major funders like the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, USAID, and GiveWell.

Take the Lead Exposure Elimination Project (LEEP), for example. Founded through our program in 2021 by Lucia Coulter (a former doctor) and Jack Rafferty (a former consultant), they started with just £50,000 in funding. Fast forward to today, and they’re operating in more than 20 countries, working with governments from Malawi to Pakistan. Their impact? An estimated 46 million children protected from lead paint exposure in the coming decades.

So, being in the top 1% isn’t just about having great ideas - it’s about having the talent, ambition, strategy, and drive to turn those ideas into world-changing reality. And that’s exactly what we are dedicated to doing! 

Could you tell us what you are most proud of about your workplace culture and what your most impactful people policy has been?

What I’m most proud of about our workplace culture is how we’ve managed to blend an intense focus on maximising impact with a genuinely light and informal atmosphere. My favourite part of the culture here is that while we take our work very seriously, we definitely don’t take ourselves too seriously! It creates a space where we can collaborate, innovate, and have fun along the way, all while aiming to make a real difference. We trust people to take ownership of their projects, make bold decisions, and challenge each other - all while staying grounded in a culture that values humility and flexibility.

As for our most impactful people policy, it would probably be our charitable donation scheme. After a year with us, employees are eligible for an annual £800 allowance to donate to causes they care about, up to £3,200 over four years. The best part? The allowance rolls over each year, so it’s a fantastic way for us to support important causes - both professionally and personally.

What are you excited to bring to your team in 2025?

In 2025, I’m excited to explore more creative and innovative ways of outreach with our team. One of my top priorities is to reach even more incredible talent from LMICs (Low- and Middle-Income Countries). There’s so much untapped potential out there, and I’m really looking forward to expanding our reach, connecting with diverse voices, and bringing in fresh perspectives that will make a huge impact on our work!

Find out more information on how your organisation can join the Top 1% community here!