Utilising Whole Endowments for Mission

Join us for the fourth Utilising Whole Endowments for Mission conference — a day of peer-to-peer learning and honest conversation about how charities and foundations can make their investments work for their mission.

This unique event brings together charity and foundation staff and trustees to share real experiences, explore new ideas, and learn from each other across the full spectrum of responsible, ethical, sustainable and impact investment.

Whether your organisation is just starting to think about responsible investment or has a well-developed mission-aligned approach, this event offers practical insights, inspiration and connections to support your next steps.

Hosted by the EIRIS Foundation, in partnership with Friends Provident Foundation and Access – The Foundation for Social Investment.

Agenda:

09:15 – 09:45 | Arrival & Registration

Tea, coffee and time to connect with fellow charity and foundation colleagues.

09:45 – 10:15 | Welcome & Setting the Scene

An introduction to the day, its purpose and structure, and the evolving context for responsible, ethical and impact investment by charities.

We’ll reflect on:

• Why “whole endowments for mission” matters now
• What we’ve learned from previous events
• How to make the most of the day’s peer learning opportunities

10:15 – 11:15 | Strategy & Governance: Renewing Purpose and Policy

Reimagining Endowments for Mission — what does good look like now?

This opening session explores how charity investment strategy and governance are evolving, and what a modern responsible investment policy should cover in today’s context.

Topics include:

• Moving from intent to implementation
• Updating and future-proofing policies to remain relevant in a changing world
• Risk, return and responsibility
• Social and environmental considerations, including climate and nature
• Trustees’ duties in a changing legal and societal landscape

11:15 – 12:30 | Parallel Breakout Discussions

Participants choose one of two facilitated peer-to-peer sessions, designed to support different stages of practice.

Track A – Getting Started

From Policy to Practice: First Steps Toward Mission Alignment

For charities newer to responsible investment:

• Simple frameworks and practical starting points
• What “good enough” looks like
• Common challenges and how others have approached them
• Clear, realistic next steps

Track B – Going Further

Beyond Exclusions: Impact, Stewardship and Complex Portfolios

For charities with more established approaches:

• Moving beyond exclusions
• Stewardship, engagement and voting
• Making sense of impact and ESG data
• Integrating mission across asset classes

Each group will identify key insights to share with the wider room.

12:30 – 13:30 | Lunch

A chance to continue conversations and learn informally from peers.

13:30 – 14:45 | Plenary Workshop

Inclusive Investment: Power, Participation and Decision-Making

A highly participatory workshop exploring inclusive finance through a power-sharing investment model.

The session focuses on how impact can be built through the investment process itself, not only through outcomes, and invites participants to experience shared decision-making in practice.

Participants will:

• Explore the “why–what–how” of inclusive investment
• Take part in a simulated investment decision-making exercise
• Reflect on power, participation and perspective
• Consider how inclusive approaches could apply in their own contexts

No prior experience is required.

14:45 – 15:00 | Afternoon Break

Refreshments and a chance to recharge.

15:00 – 15:50 | Partnership & Collaboration: The Power of Collective Action

This session explores how collaboration between charities can build confidence, capability and influence.

Topics include:

• Learning through partnership
• Collective investment approaches
• Shared due diligence and knowledge
• Collaboration for influence and engagement

The focus is on what works in practice and what charities can learn from one another.

15:50 – 16:20 | Taking a whole-endowment approach - Systems Change, Stewardship & the Future

A reflective, forward-looking conversation exploring how charities can align their entire endowment with mission priorities. The session will highlight practical examples of integrating financial stewardship, impact, and systemic change, and encourage discussion on lessons for embedding mission-driven investment across portfolios.

16:20 – 16:30 | Closing Reflections & Next Steps

Key takeaways from the day, reflections from participants, and what comes next for the community.