Esmée Fairbairn Foundation’s first social investment was made in 1997. Since then we have formalised and grown our social investing. We have made over 150 social investments through our £45m social investment fund, the returns of which are recycled.
Social investment
P3
Our approach
We believe that social investment is a powerful and financially sustainable tool we use, alongside grants and our own actions, to achieve our impact goals.
Find out moreWhat we invest
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£100k
Minimum investment
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£2m
Maximum investment
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£437k
Average investment
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Social investment portfolio
Stories of our social investment in action and a breakdown of our active and total social investment portfolio.
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Environmental Finance and Learning Fund
Together with the Environmental Funders Network (EFN), we have launched a collaborative Environmental Finance and Learning Fund to help unlock significant new funding for nature recovery.
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New £10m allocation for impact investing
We’re delighted to announce a new £10m allocation to impact investing, which will be in addition to our £45m allocation to social investment.
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Insights and Learning
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Building an impact-first social investment strategy
We outline what our impact-first approach to social investment means in practice, and we share what we’ve learned, both the challenges and opportunities, from its evolution.
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Impact-linked finance: what do we know about it so far?
A new report by Investing for Good, and commissioned by Esmée, provides a global review of impact-linked finance and explores the potential for adaptability for the UK social and impact investment market.
Read more -
How our impact-first approach led us to our first Perpetual Bond
We share our learning from our social investment into Fair for You and our first Perpetual Bond along with how it could open up finance options for social purpose organisations looking for equity-like investment.
Read more
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Insights in Brief: Social Investment and COVID-19
A new report sharing what we've learned from our social investments in light of Coronavirus, and how we could use this to inform the stages of rescue, recovery and revival.
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Emerging funding opportunities for the natural environment
We are pleased to share a new report: Emerging funding opportunities for the natural environment, which we commissioned to review the current landscape for innovative funding of environmental enhancement across the UK.
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Evolution not revolution, 10 years of social investment
To mark the 10th anniversary of our Social Investment Fund, we’ve written a report reflecting on the achievements, insights and lessons learned to date.
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Latest
You might be interested in
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15 December 2021Environmental Finance and Learning Fund
Together with the Environmental Funders Network (EFN), we have launched a collaborative Environmental Finance and Learning Fund to help unlock significant new funding for nature recovery.
Read more -
Building an impact-first social investment strategy
We outline what our impact-first approach to social investment means in practice, and we share what we’ve learned, both the challenges and opportunities, from its evolution.
Read more -
New £10m allocation for impact investing
We’re delighted to announce a new £10m allocation to impact investing, which will be in addition to our £45m allocation to social investment.
Read more -
Woodland Trust: restoring nature for people and planet
We visited Smithills Estate in Bolton to learn about the work the Woodland Trust is doing to restore nature for both people and the planet, and how doing so can also support the local economy.
Read more -
Impact-linked finance: what do we know about it so far?
A new report by Investing for Good, and commissioned by Esmée, provides a global review of impact-linked finance and explores the potential for adaptability for the UK social and impact investment market.
Read more -
Innovative funding to restore nature
Watch our webinar to learn about the challenges and opportunities of innovative finance models for restoring nature from Devon Wildlife Trust, Moors for the Future, National Farmers Union, The Rivers Trust and Triodos Bank.
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Q&A on Esmée's new strategy and how we make decisions
Watch our webinar on our new strategy and how we make decisions. The Esmée Team also share more detail around our impact goals and priorities under each aim.
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Caroline Mason awarded a damehood in New Year's Honours list
Our Chief Executive, Caroline Mason CBE, has been recognised with a damehood in the New Year's honours list
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New strategy
Esmée Fairbairn Foundation has launched a new strategy focusing on our natural world, a fairer future and creative, confident communities.
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How our impact-first approach led us to our first Perpetual Bond
We share our learning from our social investment into Fair for You and our first Perpetual Bond along with how it could open up finance options for social purpose organisations looking for equity-like investment.
Read more