Corporate Social Impact Investing Network joins Funders Together

CSIIN is a new network bringing together corporate philanthropy, CSR, sustainability and impact practitioners to explore the potential of social impact investing.

The two-year pilot is funded by Access – The Foundation for Social Investment, Macquarie Group Foundation and Collective Futures.

With growing pressure on grant funding, there is increasing interest in how corporates can use alternative models to provide sustainable, affordable finance to charities and social enterprises, alongside associated grants and pro bono support.

CSIIN provides a space for corporates to learn from peers, share experiences and explore what social impact investing could look like in practice. The network is open to corporates at different stages of their journey, from those beginning to explore social impact investment to those with established programmes.

From interest to action

The network builds on the findings of Driving Impact: Unlocking Corporate Social Impact Investment in the UK, commissioned by the Macquarie Group Foundation. The research explored how concessionary, catalytic and impact-first investments can support social purpose organisations to create lasting change, and identified education, collaboration and experimentation as important ways to help corporates move from interest to action.

The findings also helped shape the development of CSIIN, creating a practical space for corporate practitioners to learn from peers, share experiences and explore how social impact investment can work in practice.

Through network learning events, peer sharing and focused workstreams, members can explore practical questions, share resources and develop approaches that can be tested and applied within their own organisations. The network will also connect corporate practitioners with wider social investment networks, intermediaries and other relevant resources.

“The Driving Impact research highlighted the value of bringing corporate practitioners together to learn from one another and address the practical barriers to social impact investment. CSIIN provides a space to share experience, build confidence and turn growing interest into practical action.”

Access – The Foundation for Social Investment is supporting the pilot as part of its wider work to develop the social investment ecosystem and increase access to finance for social purpose organisations.

“We want to see more social purpose organisations able to access the finance they need to grow and create lasting change. Bringing corporate practitioners together to share learning and explore new approaches can help unlock more capital and build a stronger social investment ecosystem.”

Collective Futures is also supporting the two-year pilot, helping create the conditions for greater collaboration and experimentation across corporate philanthropy and investment.

“Lasting change requires organisations to think differently and act collectively. CSIIN brings corporates together to turn shared ambition into practical approaches, learn from one another and share insights that can unlock greater investment into the sector.”

A new space for collaboration

The partnership reflects Funders Together’s wider ambition to create spaces where funders, investors, businesses and communities can learn together and explore how different forms of capital can contribute to social change.

Funders Together already hosts a range of member-led and external networks, bringing people and organisations together around shared challenges and opportunities. CSIIN adds a new dimension to this work, connecting corporate philanthropy and investment with the wider social investment ecosystem.

Funders Together will provide fiscal and project hosting, communications and network support, alongside learning expertise.

“Corporate social impact investment has the potential to bring new resources and expertise into the social purpose sector, but unlocking that potential requires collaboration. We’re delighted to host CSIIN and create a space where corporate practitioners can learn together, build relationships and explore what is possible.”

A new chapter for corporate social impact investment

CSIIN marks the beginning of a two-year pilot designed to build a strong and connected network of corporate practitioners, while exploring what is needed to support greater corporate social impact investment over the longer term.

CSIIN is open to corporate representatives with an existing social impact investment programme or an interest in developing one. During the two-year pilot, participation is free, with the network exploring a sustainable membership model for the future. Network meetings are suitable for those starting out as well as more experienced practitioners.

The network is convened by Gail Cunningham, who authored the Driving Impact report and brings experience of social impact investment, corporate philanthropy and network development.

Want to learn more?

To find out more about the Corporate Social Impact Investing Network and how to get involved, please contact Gail Cunningham at Gail.Cunningham@csiin.org.uk