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Social Finance
Good practice, case studies, expert advice and tips on social finance for voluntary sector leaders, managers and finance professionals.
Could social investment be the answer to your funding crisis?
Only 4,000 or so charities and social enterprises have accessed social investment, but the experts claim there is much more money to be had. Andy Ricketts reports
Seb Elsworth: Championing equality and diversity through social investment
Social investment can help equalities organisations, but has to do more to address diversity in the social investment sector
Seb Elsworth: Six signs that social investment is working for charities
There are six reasons why charities and social enterprises will own the next chapter in the development of social investment, says our columnist
Social investment: the good and not so good
Social investment has yet to justify the bold claims once made for it, but has it proved to be a failure? Liam Kay canvasses opinion from the sector
A turbulent end to The Body Shop Foundation
A dispute between the cosmetics firm and its associated foundation led ultimately to the closure of the charity
Tim Jones - The man who is trying to give SIBs a good name
The chief executive of Allia believes social impact bonds can help to democratise society
Don Bawtree: Charities should report on culture
Whether or not a social investment is being made is determined by the motivation of the charity, so the definition is wide, writes our columnist
Cliff Prior: Thinking Big
Social investment has been much hyped in recent years, but it remains an enigma to many. The new chief executive of the social investment wholesaler Big Society Capital tells Liam Kay how he intends to demystify this market
What is the truth about social investment, asks Craig Dearden-Phillips
Despite limited success so far, the sector should hang in there with social finance, argues the founder of Stepping Out
Social Investment: Is it going to thrive?
The Conservative Party made much of its plans for social investment in its election manifesto - so how is that coming along? Sam Burne James and Stephen Cook examine the state of play
Tim Wilson's tips on social investment
Clarify your aims, involve the trustees and use intermediaries, says the grants and social investment officer at the City Bridge Trust
'Profit with purpose': the dispute over doing well while doing good
Is it possible to lock social goals into the structure of for-profit businesses? The questions has polarised opinion among proponents of the social economy, as Stephen Cook reports
Legal Update: New scheme for social investment tax relief
Adrian Pashley provides an overview of recent developments in voluntary sector law, on behalf of the Charity Law Association
Rodney Schwartz: How mainstream investors react to talk of social impact
The notion that a fund might deliver social returns can lead to suspicion about its financial performance - so sometimes it pays to keep quiet about them, writes our columnist
Rodney Schwartz: A funny thing happened at the conference in Monaco
An announcement from the Swedish government on pension funds and carbon footprints came as a surprise, writes our columnist
Social investment: Nick Hurd says the aim is 'turn reality to mainstream'
Sam Burne James assesses the political status of social investment and how the market can move forward
Points of law: Clarity on social investment
Legal experts, including Jonathan Brinsden of Bircham Dyson Bell, have generally welcomed the Law Commission's proposal for a new power to guide trustees on tax matters - but there are still questions to be answered, finds Sam Burne James
Why the social impact bond at Peterborough prison is being halted
The decision not to continue the pilot scheme for reducing reoffending has put SIBs under fresh scrutiny. Edward Lander and Stephen Cook report
Has the social investment flagship sailed off course?
The Peterborough social impact bond pilot achieved much of what it set out to do, but the main failure has been in influencing the commissioners, writes Nick Temple
Tempted by banks? Social investors are the better bet
To build a new financial market means supporting investors who take a long-term, values-oriented and client-centred view. Not-for-profits should resist the temptation of attractive rates at high-street banks, writes Rodney Schwartz
Social investment's future will be more cross-sectoral
There seems to be to be an increasing understanding that tackling large, intractable problems relies on previously siloed sectors working together, writes Nick Temple
Investors' motivations are not what you might expect
Social impact can be just as important as the bottom line, says the chief executive of ClearlySo, which helps social entrepreneurs raise capital
Social investment should break through this year
There has been some progress in making social investment less London-centric, writes Nick Temple
Social finance works when building skills is included
Charities don't seem to be convinced of the potential social finance presents, writes Caron Bradshaw
Two very different events show strength in breadth
This mix of inclusivity and meaning is the key to democratising social investment, writes Nick Temple
Weighing the pros and cons of 'supping with the devil'
Rodney Schwartz asks how entrepreneurial a social entrepreneur can be
Let there be light on the world of social enterprise
Transparency can help us all to see our own areas to improve, as well as those of others, writes Nick Temple
Analysis: Social impact bonds take small steps in early years
Fledgling projects such as Teens and Toddlers might be a template for funding of work by smaller charities
Angel investors will tide us over as institutions grow
There are thousands of high net worth people ready and willing to back social entrepreneurs, writes our columnist
Interview: David Hutchinson
The chief executive of Social Finance says it is developing more than just social impact bonds
Charity Finance Skills Zone
Expert advice and tips on specialist areas of charity finance.
Case Studies
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Business Model: Hexham Community Partnership
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Business model: Seahouses Development Trust
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Business Model: Star Wards
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Business Model: Croydon Appliance Reuse Centre
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Business model: Stramash
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Business Model: The MicroLoan Foundation
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Business Model: SCA Healthcare
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Business Model: Expert Patient Programme
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Next government 'must have clear policy on cooperative business model'
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Business Model: Humantics
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Business Model: Meanwhile Space
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Business Model: Green Valley Grocer
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Business model: Rise Computers
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Business Model: Oromo Coffee Company
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Business Model: The Grow Organisation
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Business model: Belu Water
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Business model: Bikeworks
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Business Model: The Healthy Hub
Third Sector Insight
Sponsored webcasts, surveys and expert reports from Third Sector partners
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How charities can make the right impact
For charities today the challenge is that...
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How charities’ workplace culture can prevent controversies
The third sector has never been under such...
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Cyber and data security - how prepared is your charity?
This report provides an overview of the current...