Aligning Values and Value: Charities Step Up Their Investment Game
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Charities & Endowments Investment Focus – 18 November 2025 BFI Stephen Street, London
Yesterday, we welcomed back our Charities & Endowments community for the second time this year for a morning of thought-provoking discussion, expert insight, and shared learning. The sessions brought together senior leaders, trustees, and asset managers to explore the evolving role of investment in delivering mission-aligned, resilient, and future-ready portfolios.
From system-level thinking to climate investing in emerging markets, the morning delivered a strong message: long-term impact and financial rigour are not mutually exclusive. Thank you to all who attended, asked questions, and challenged perspectives – your engagement made this event one to remember.
We began with a powerful fireside chat between Anita Bhatia (Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) bfinance) and Sandra Wolf (mallowstreet), exploring the move toward mission-aligned investing. Anita shared her experience leading an 18-month strategy review that resulted in a 100% mission-aligned portfolio. She addressed the practicalities of integrating private markets, shifting to active stewardship, and balancing the need for both innovation and portfolio resilience. Delegates joined in to discuss how trustees can manage the tension between aspiration and fiduciary responsibility.
Masterclass Sessions
Throughout the morning, delegates broke out into focused Masterclass sessions to explore specific investment themes and strategies for the charitable sector:
- BNY Investments Newton – Above the Noise: Long-term Return Expectations and the Investment Environment for Charities A forward-looking session examining long-term return projections, inflation resilience, and the macro trends shaping future investment strategy for charities with enduring missions.
- Natixis Investment Managers – How Can Foundations and Charities Invest for Meaningful Climate Impact in Emerging Markets? This masterclass showcased real-world examples of climate and biodiversity financing in emerging markets, exploring both the risks and the outsized impact potential of nature-based solutions.
We were delighted to welcome Natalie Yapp and Alex Geere from Mercer UK to the screening room, who presented exclusive findings from their latest global survey of endowments and foundations. Risk management, liquidity planning, and asset diversification were key themes. UK organisations are increasing their exposure to private markets and fixed income, with large institutions leading the way. Smaller charities remain more constrained by operational and governance hurdles, but the appetite for impact and resilience is growing across the board.
Thank you again to all our speakers, sponsors and attendees for bringing so much energy and openness to the discussion.
We’ll be back with our next Charities & Endowments Investment Focus on 16th June 2026 – register now to secure your place: mallowstreet.com/Event/30109
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