In 2020, the Archbishops’ Council set up a Social Impact Investment Programme, funded by the Church Commissioners, to deploy social investment capital to advance the Church’s missional objectives. The programme is designed to support projects which share the Church of England’s Christian values and benefit society.
Through this programme, the Church of England is making £25 million available for a social impact investment portfolio, which will seek investments targeting deep positive impact. The project is managed by, and works closely with, the Faith and Public Life department.
The portfolio will focus on investments that address housing need, that support vulnerable communities, as well as investments that focus on protecting and sustaining the environment. The portfolio will be invested primarily through investment funds and similar investment vehicles and will have a geographic focus in England.
The programme has been designed to complement the Five Marks of Mission and to complement the work of the Archbishops’ Council, set up to co-ordinate and further the work and mission of the Church of England both on a local and national level.
The programme will align with the wider Ethical and Responsible Investment policies and guidelines of the Church’s Ethical Investment Advisory Group.
An Investment Committee has oversight of the social investment programme and the programme is managed by the Head of Social Impact Investment.
The Programme's first Impact Report was published in May 2023 outlining investments made by the Social Impact Programme in its first two years.
The Programme has published its most recent 2023-2024 Impact Report, highlighting how investments made in its first four years of operation are addressing its key impact goals.