03/05/2023
The Church of England’s Social Impact Investment Programme, established in 2020 to direct capital towards new solutions to deep-rooted social challenges, has invested £5.7m in its first two years, according to its 2023 Impact Report.
The programme aim is to support vulnerable people and communities, while generating sustainable returns that preserve the capital for future impact.
“It’s a privilege to support the Church of England’s wider mission through this innovative programme,” said Vanessa Morphet, Head of Social Impact Investment at the Archbishops’ Council. “We work with excellent investment managers who have deep knowledge of the UK charity and social enterprise sector, and we’re confident our capital will have a real, lasting impact where it counts most.”
The programme has so far made four investments.
One of the investments is in the Women in Safe Homes fund, which buys houses and leases them to grassroots organisations that provide refuge to vulnerable women and their children. The programme also made a £1.1m equity investment to take a 3.6% stake in Charity Bank, which can unlock new loans to charities, social enterprises, and faith-based organisations.
In total, the Church Commissioners for England has allocated £25m to this programme through a grant to the Archbishops’ Council, a charity that supports the work and mission of the Church of England.