A brief round-up of developments in the social investment world

Prepared by the UK Social Investment Forum (UKSIF)

Social Enterprise Loan Fund launch

The Social Enterprise Loan Fund is the new name for the Local Investment Fund which has lent £7m to social enterprises over the past 14 years. It is a joint venture between Communities and Local Government and NatWest. It has plans to double the size of its loan portfolio over the next three years. www.tself.org.uk.

Futurebuilders announces mission investor plan and launches tender fund

Futurebuilders England has published its new Investment Plan, outlining investments to 2011. The plan describes the organisation as a ‘mission investor’. It has also launched a £1m interest-free loan fund for third sector organisations struggling to meet the cost of public sector tendering. www.futurebuilders-england.org.uk.

Charity Bank launches Asset Finance service

The service is aimed at charities and social enterprises that are struggling to obtain finance for equipment purchases that could transform their ability to deliver services. www.charitybank.org.

CAN Breakthrough announces sixth investment – in Speaking Up

Breakthrough social investment fund, run by CAN with private equity firms Permira and SVG, has announced a £175,000 investment in disability advocacy service Speaking Up. www.can-online.org.uk.

CDFA consults on performance and effectiveness of community finance

The Community Development Finance Association (cdfa) has launched a public consultation on its Change Matters performance framework for community development finance institutions (CDFIs). The aim is to further improve efficiency, transparency and impact of CDFIs. www.cdfa.org.uk.

Gates Foundation announces new focus on micro-savings

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has announced plans to direct hundreds of millions of dollars to promote savings programmes in the developing world. www.gatesfoundation.org.

Survey finds charities risk losing public support by not investing ethically

A survey by the EIRiS Foundation found that 83% of the general public would be less likely or unwilling to give to a charity if they found out it was investing unethically or in a way that was against its mission. www.eiris.org.

If you require further information on these stories or have a social investment news item, please contact Adam Ognall, UKSIF Deputy Chief Executive, at adam.ognall@uksif.org.