We have joined a group of leading UK charitable foundations to launch the Endowments Investing Challenge, with an investment mandate in the tens of millions available. We’re calling upon the investment industry to develop an investment portfolio that’s fit for future generations – putting impact investing principles front and centre.
The project was first run by Friends Provident Foundation, The Blagrave Trust and Joffe Trust in 2020. It challenges investment service providers to create a bold portfolio that prioritises long-term positive impacts on future generations, as well as financial returns.
We are working alongside The Blagrave Trust, The Children’s Society, Cripplegate Foundation, Friends Provident Foundation and the Joseph Rowntree Foundation on the renewed initiative. And we have support from ShareAction’s Charity Responsible Investment Network, the Impact Investing Institute and Redington, a Gallagher company. As an endowed charity, we are keen to support the project, which aims to bring increased transparency and scrutiny to the investment decision-making process.
An open call for proposals will be announced in September 2025. Shortlisted entrants will present their ideas at a live event at London’s Barbican Centre in March 2026.
Raising young voices
The group are working with an advisory group of young adults – the Future Generations Panel – to ensure that the voices of those most impacted by investment decisions are heard loudly and clearly by the industry.
Danielle Walker Palmour, Director of Friends Provident Foundation, says: “The interest in the Future Generations Panel has blown us away: over 750 young adults applied. They told us that they want our investments to help tackle issues including climate emergency, youth mental health, lack of community, housing, education, and inequality, to name but a few. Through the advisory panel and a survey, we’re bringing the opinions of those normally excluded from decision-making to the table.”
Building a legacy
With a combined investment of up to £50 million already committed, the group aims to exceed the positive social and environmental impact achieved since the 2020 event.
Our Chief Investment Officer, Andrew Gnaneswaran, says: “Endowed charitable foundations in the UK represent over £50bn in assets which are often invested in opaque ways that at best, may not align with the charity’s mission – and at worst, actively work against it. This initiative seeks to increase the transparency involved in the investment decision-making process, issuing a call to action for those responsible for stewarding capital on behalf of foundations, to consider the impact created by their investment portfolios.”
Get involved
Investment service providers can register their interest now to receive the Request for Investment Proposals when it’s published in autumn 2025.