What's new in impact investing

Adam Ognal, UKSIF

A brief round-up of developments from the impact investing world.

JP Morgan, Rockefeller and GIIN estimate impact investment market of $400bn-$1tr

‘Impact Investments: An Emerging Asset Class’ assesses data collected from more than 1,000 impact investments and estimates a global investment opportunity of between $400 billion and $1 trillion over the next ten years.

 www.rockefellerfoundation.org

 Social Investment Task Force celebrates 10 years at House of Commons Reception

The reception included speeches from Civil Society Minister Nick Hurd MP and Task Force chair Sir Ronald Cohen. If followed the publication of the Task Force’s final report in 2010. 

 www.socialinvestmenttaskforce.org

Charity Commission proposes revised guidance on impact investing

The Charity Commission has launched a public consultation on revised guidance on investment matters for charities. The new guidance proposes to bring together all investment guidance and includes new approaches and definitions for ‘social investment’; including for ‘mission connected’ and ‘programme related’ investment. It also introduces the concept of ‘mixed purpose investment’. The consultation is open until 28 February. 

 www.charity-commission.gov.uk

Charity Bank receives ifs Award for Outstanding Innovation

Charity Bank received the award from ifs School of Finance.

 www.charitybank.org

Triodos Bank breaks £300m lending barrier in UK

Triodos grew its UK lending by 20% in the first three quarters of 2010 and expects by early 2011 to have reached half a billion pounds of lending and commitments. Triodos only finances enterprises which create social, environmental or cultural added value.

 www.triodos.co.uk

Citylife launches pilot multi-charity bond

The bond allows investors to raise funds for several charities such as Tomorrow's People and Community Links.

 www.citylifeltd.org

Oikocredit formally launches in the UK and Ireland

Oikocredit, the worldwide financial cooperative that provides sources of private funding to the microfinance sector, has held its launch event for UK and Ireland.

 www.oikocredit.org

Big Issue Invest raises £3m for its Social Enterprise Investment Fund

Big Issue Invest provides a range of finance options from loans to equity from £50,000 to £500,000. It funds socials enterprises that typically already have a trading history. 

 www.bigissueinvest.com

Annual survey finds 77% rise in community development finance

‘Inside Out 2010’ gives the result of the cdfa’s annual survey of the community development finance sector. CDFIs lent £200 million, with the value of CDFI loan applications rising to £437 million, (from £360 million previously).

 www.cdfa.org.uk

Nesta announces shortlist for financial solutions that could be offered by the Big Society Bank

Nesta has selected 22 proposals that will receive up to £10,000 each to complete a final stage of research and due diligence. The awards are for products and services that could be offered by the Big Society Bank which the government plans to launch in April 2011. 

 www.nesta.org.uk

 In the next issue, Lisa Wooton, project manager at UKSIF, will be compiling this column. If you require any further information on these stories or have an impact investing news item please contact Lisa Wootton.

 lisa.wootton@uksif.org