Free social investment guide published by Cass Business School

11 May 2016 News

The Centre for Charity Effectiveness at Cass Business School has published a free beginner's guide to social investment, after finding that many charities "do not understand what it is".

The Centre for Charity Effectiveness at Cass Business School has published a free beginner's guide to social investment, after finding that many charities "do not understand what it is".

Forming part of its Tools for Success pack, the guide aims to help charities understand social investment, and how it can be used as part of a funding mix to “deliver sustainability and impact”.

Mark Salway, director of social finance and joint author of the report, said: “Having spent 16 months looking at social investment, the clear problem has been understanding. Many charities and not-for-profits do not understand social investment, so the toolkit is just a simple guide to help people understand."

The toolkit, which was published this week, is being formally launched at the World Humanitarian Summit on the 25th May, and at Honorary Treasury’s Forum symposium on the 5th July.

The guide is split into sections; what is social investment, becoming aware of social investment, engaging with and preparing for social investment, using social investment, and delivering impact.

It also includes a 26 question diagnostic tool to help charities think about social investment, and work out if it is right for them.

Cass is asking charities to complete a short questionnaire in exchange for the free toolkit.

The toolkit can be downloaded here.

  • Mark Salway wrote in this month's Charity Finance magazine about the potential development of the social investment market. Read the article here.