Craig Kensley’s Post

🚀 The start of a new year presents an opportunity to reflect on the progress we’ve made with our partners and explore how we can achieve even greater impact together. Since 2012, we've helped the social impact investment market grow to £10 billion. This capital has financed social purpose organisations tackling critical issues from homelessness to mental health and fuel poverty. 🌱 Our Theory of Change underpins our commitment to help improve impact practice beyond our own operations. It defines how our impact and system change activities aim to break down barriers for investors, social enterprises, policymakers and others. Our approach includes catalytic investing, which strengthens communities and fosters social innovation, and market-building, which creates an environment that channels more capital to impact-driven organisations. 🔎 Learn more about the role we are playing in advancing impact and systems practice across the impact investing community: https://lnkd.in/eknhn8S3

Social Impact Funding Community ENABLE Funding (CEF) Programme - British Business Bank Great news for social impact companies seeking investment from British Business Bank https://lnkd.in/eRe7_T9q

From Justice Funders: a Just Transition Investment Framework that offers a strategy for how philanthropies can shift capital and power to frontline BIPOC communities who are building local regenerative economies. https://lnkd.in/guNDbjte

Channeling imagination, passion, and energy towards solving social issues is vital. Embrace corporate social investment for lasting change, not just philanthropy. Let's cultivate a culture where profit aligns with positive impact, driving sustainable solutions for a better world. #CorporateSocialInvestment #SocialImpact #SustainableSolutions #Imagination #Passion #Energy #PhilanthropyAlternative #LongTermImpact #SunilTolani #PrinceOrganization

How can impact investing kick-off a European affordable housing boom? Our Director Rolf Bastiaanssen will moderate an expert panel on affordable housing at Europe's leading impact investment conference this week. At Impact Europe's Impact Week in Bilbao, the panel - hosted by Erste Social Finance - will discuss how impact investment funds can speed up the building of high-quality affordable housing. Affordable and social housing remain existential challenges to Europe. 1 in 10 city-based Europeans live in a household spending more than 40% of income on housing costs. Around 900,000 people are experiencing homelessness. More affordable housing is needed, and quickly. Learn more about Impact Week ➡️ https://lnkd.in/ewUkUiq3 #ImpactWeek

We’re pleased to support Proper Good’s impact report, which reflects the programme's first two years of delivery across Greater Manchester. We funded the programme as part of the national Local Access Programme, to pioneer blended finance social investment and boost local social economies. The results highlight how connecting social enterprises with the right support and investment is helping to build stronger, more resilient and sustainable communities. Key achievements between 2022 and 2024: 📈 £1,287,571 in social investment awarded across Bolton, Oldham, Stockport & Wigan. 🎯 424 social-purpose organisations supported across these areas. 💡 1,276 interventions delivered, including clinic drop-ins, events, and workshops. Read the full report to explore Proper Good's Theory of Change and discover how the programme provides enterprise and investment support to social enterprises: https://lnkd.in/eKhN5SiA

Alternative investments are becoming powerful tools for achieving sustainable and impactful outcomes in social and environmental spaces. 🔹 Impact Investing Investing in enterprises that tackle global challenges like poverty, inequality and climate change. 🔹 Blended Finance By combining public and private funds, blended finance unlocks investments in projects aligned with sustainable development goals. Philanthropic capital is often a motivation, reducing risks for private investors and scaling impact. 🔹 Social Impact Bonds (SIBs) A performance-driven approach where private investors fund social initiatives and are rewarded based on outcomes. This shifts financial risk from the public to the private sector, creating innovation and ensuring every dollar drives real results. These strategies are mobilizing private capital for the public good. By integrating financial objectives with societal goals, philanthropy is addressing complex challenges while ensuring sustainable returns. 💡 How do you think alternative investments are bringing social change? #ImpactInvesting #Philanthropy #SocialImpact #Avestix #AVXI

For funders who are really looking to make an impact in issue areas, these organizations are working with partners to maximize their impact and reach more people. Funding these organizations often means strengthening the entire ecosystem and movement of the issue. Learn how your investment can strengthen the social impact ecosystem: https://bit.ly/48QFUAq #FundWhatWorks

🌟 Last week, MP Stewart Andrew joined us at our meet and greet event in Parliament, celebrating the vital role of community enterprises in creating a positive impact for local residents. He gave a special mention to the Dormant Assets Scheme, which has unlocked over £800 million to drive social and environmental impact across the UK. Since the Scheme’s inception, the social impact investment market has grown twelvefold over the past decade to £10 billion. This growth has empowered smaller enterprises to secure the capital they need to grow and scale, enabling them to tackle some of the most pressing social issues we face today. Watch the full video below, where Stewart shares his thoughts on how Government can support social and community enterprise 👇 #CommEnt2025 #SocialImpact

Want to shape the future of social investment in Aotearoa? Here's your chance! Bring your voice to the table, submit your questions when you register or ask them live during the webinar.