Understanding impact in social investments

Thames Rivers Trust / The Rivers Trust (Paul Colley)

Understanding the impact of our social investments is critical for our learning and ensuring that we are an effective investor. In a new report, we outline how we assess the difference each social investment is intended to make, how we track its progress over time, and how that shapes our learning as an investor.

View the report in full-screen or click the button in the top left hand corner to download.

By sharing our thinking and learning so far, we hope other social investors considering similar questions will find it useful. We are still at an early stage of this work and would welcome feedback, as well as the opportunity to learn from others about what they're doing on understanding impact.

Do get in touch by emailing: communications@esmeefairbairn.org.uk.

Learn more

Latest

You might be interested in

  • BGHUK-GreenandAway-Photobylaurelle-97

    New Connections – challenging the way we fund

    New Connections is supporting 20 organisations working for racial or migrant justice in the UK arts, community, environment and social justice sectors. As the learning Network comes to a close, we are sharing useful insights for funders who want to support grassroots and founder-led organisations, and for organisations that need their support but are frustrated with the funding system.

    Read more
  • Daniel

    Holding power as a member of the Involving Young People Collective

    Daniel Mapatac from Esmée’s Involving Young People Collective (IYPC) shares his reflections on the impact ‘holding power’ as a young consultant has had on him and why shifting power to young people is important for creating long-term systems change.

    Read more
  • RE-PEAT - Rowtor Dartmoor workshop September 2025 credit Jim Wileman Peat-Fest South-West

    Pre-application Q&A webinar: 3 June 2026

    We're hosting a pre-application Q&A webinar on 3 June at 2pm for organisations interested in applying to Esmée for support who have questions about our application process or guidance.

    Read more