Charities and social investment

This research into social investment was carried out by IVAR on behalf of the Charity Commission. It aimed to explore the regulatory risks, challenges and opportunities facing charities in this field and gain an insight into the likely development of the social investment market over the next five years.

It found that charities need three things: simple social investment products; neutral advice from organisations that are not market competitors; bespoke and financial support with business planning and preparing for investment. The charity sector (and others) could also benefit from enhanced communication and trust between charitable and non-charitable organisations engaged in social investment.