Access endowment delivers strong returns and deep UK social impact

Access – The Foundation for Social Investment has published its latest Endowment Impact Report, showing how its mission-aligned approach continues to deliver both market-rate returns and meaningful social impact.

Strong financial performance alongside mission alignment

In 2024, 62% of the Access endowment was invested in organisations delivering social impact, including 42% directly in UK charities and social enterprises. These investments support organisations providing social housing, disability services, community energy, elderly care, microfinance and more.

Overall, the Access endowment has delivered a 17.18% return after fees from the inception of the portfolio in July 2016 to the end of 2024, demonstrating that mission-led investment can perform strongly even in challenging conditions.

Access was given a £60 million endowment by Government in 2015 to spend over ten years on funding programmes which help charities and social enterprises to engage with the social investment market and become investment-ready. It is now overseen by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

Total impact in practice

Access manages the portfolio in line with its “total impact” strategy. This approach looks at all the ways to achieve impact, including aligning their asset management with their broader charitable mission.

Access applies a “bull’s eye” model to ensure capital is directed to organisations most closely aligned with its charitable mission, embedding impact into investment decisions through a “bull’s eye” model that:

• Ensures every financial decision is aligned with Access’s charitable objectives.
• Prioritises investments that deliver tangible social and environmental benefit in the UK.
• Examines and evidences the impact of every pound.
• Works with managers to strengthen transparency and long-term outcomes.
• Builds a clearer picture of both positive and negative impacts, including climate effects.

Impact where it matters

Access’s investments continue to support a wide range of mission-driven organisations. Case studies in the report highlight how endowment capital is improving access to safe, affordable housing, strengthening community infrastructure, reducing carbon emissions and supporting people facing disadvantage. 

The report also reflects our commitment to net zero, outlining the portfolio’s carbon footprint and steps toward long-term climate alignment. This sits alongside a transparent impact methodology, with a breakdown of sustainable development themes and investment classifications to support clear and comparable decision-making.

Emilie Goodall, Chair of the Endowment Investment Committee, said:

“Our approach is about integrating our purpose into every financial decision, demonstrating that returns and social impact can go hand in hand. By exploring the impact of every pound, we ensure our endowment is actively advancing our mission. We hope this report gives other foundations the confidence and practical insight to align their own investments with their purpose.”

Looking ahead

Access is working closely with a group of foundations to deepen understanding, share practice and build confidence around mission-aligned investing. This forms part of a broader effort to help the UK foundation sector consider the impact of all its assets.