Skip to main content

Social investment

Our social investment is flexible repayable finance that supports charities and social enterprises aligning with our vision for a poverty-free future.

Our flexible repayable finance helps charities and social enterprises achieve their mission and increase their impact.

Why we make social investments

Since 2015, 5% (currently set at £20 million) of JRF’s endowment has been allocated to social investment. Our social investments are a mix of direct investments (from JRF to charities and social enterprises) and indirect fund investments (from JRF to fund managers, who then invest on to charities and social enterprises).

Through these investments, we support organisations that further JRF’s overarching mission to speed up and support the transition to a future free from poverty, in which people and planet can flourish.

Woman pouring a drink and smiling in a kitchen.

Apply for social investment

If you have any questions about social investment at JRF, please contact the team at socialinvestment@jrf.org.uk

Or discover more about the process, timelines and eligibility criteria for applying for social investment.

How to apply for social investment

How our social investments align with JRF’s work

In line with JRF’s focus on specific directional change, we have advocated and promoted the real Living Wage within the social investment sector, resulting in an extension of the Living Wage Funder accreditation to include social investors. 

To contribute to systemic change, we have funded organisations creating deeper, more foundational shifts needed for a more equitable and just future. This includes our investments in BelleVie and the Resolution Foundation’s Workertech Partnership. We also recognise the need to build much-needed infrastructure for change in the social investment sector, and in 2023 we invested in Pathway Fund.

Alongside meaningful social impact, social investments are also expected to deliver a modest financial return with the minimum expectation that money can be returned so that it can be invested again. However, the overriding purpose of the investment is to contribute towards the achievement of JRF’s vision and mission.

Our current social investments

Policies and statements