Introduction: Mission and Money—You Don’t Have to Choose

For charities, every pound matters. Whether it’s donor income, legacy gifts, or long-held reserves, funds must be stewarded wisely. But too often, investment decisions are made in isolation from the charity’s mission.

At Epworth Investment Management, we believe that your money should work for your mission—not against it. And that it’s entirely possible to pursue long-term returns without compromising your values.

Step One: Understand the Role of Investment in Your Charity’s Strategy

Investments play several key roles for charities:

• Protecting long-term sustainability
• Funding future programmes and capital projects
• Smoothing income during periods of donor volatility
• Safeguarding legacies or restricted gifts

Yet many charities underinvest their reserves or leave them in cash accounts earning little to no return because of concerns around complexity, risk, or ethical compromise.

The truth is: with the right guidance and governance, investing responsibly can strengthen both your financial and social impact.

Step Two: Align Your Investment with Your Mission

As a charity, you already have a clear purpose. Your investments should reflect it.

That means:

• Avoiding industries or activities that undermine your values 
• Prioritising transparency, accountability, and sustainability
• Engaging actively with the companies you invest in
• Choosing a manager who shares your ethical vision

At Epworth, 100% of our clients are charities, churches, or faith-based organisations. We understand the ethical, reputational, and regulatory expectations you face - and we manage money accordingly.

Step Three: Choose the Right Investment Vehicle

Every charity is different. The best structure depends on your size, liquidity needs, and governance capacity. Here are some common options:

Multi-Asset Funds

A ready-made, diversified portfolio designed for long-term growth. Ideal for small to medium-sized charities seeking simplicity, access to different asset classes, and professional oversight.

➡️ Explore the Epworth Multi-Asset Fund

Charity Deposit Funds and Cash Solutions

A place to hold short-term reserves with ethical screening and competitive rates - great for fee income, bursary funds, or bridging capital.

➡️ Learn more about our Cash Plus Fund

Discretionary Portfolios

For larger charities or religious orders with more complex needs, we offer tailored investment strategies with ethical screening and governance support.

➡️ See how Epworth DSC supports strategic planning and sub-accounting

Step Four: Strengthen Your Governance

Investing responsibly also means governing responsibly. Here’s how trustees can do that:

• Develop or update your Investment Policy Statement (IPS)
  Ensure your IPS reflects your mission, ethical values, risk appetite, and spending plans.
• Clarify your time horizon and liquidity needs
  Investing is not one-size-fits-all. A clear understanding of your funding timeline helps avoid forced withdrawals or overexposure to risk.
• Schedule regular reviews and reporting
  Stay informed about both financial and ethical performance. Transparent reporting supports internal governance and external accountability.

Step Five: Partner with the Right Manager

The right investment manager will:

• Understand the regulatory environment for charities
• Offer ethical clarity, not just vague ESG claims
• Provide regular, tailored reporting for your board and auditors
• Be accessible and transparent, not hidden behind jargon

At Epworth, we don’t just overlay ethics onto generic portfolios. Our approach is built from the ground up - rooted in our Christian values, shaped by decades of experience, and tailored to the needs of UK charities.

Performance Without Compromise

There’s a common myth that investing ethically means sacrificing return. But that simply isn’t true.

Numerous studies show that well-governed ethical portfolios can deliver competitive returns while avoiding exposure to future liabilities and reputational risk. Charities should not have to choose between doing good and doing well. 

Conclusion: Put Your Capital to Work—Faithfully

You’ve worked hard to raise these funds. Now let them work hard for you and for your mission. Whether you're a small church trust or a major charitable foundation, it's never been more important to invest with clarity, integrity, and purpose.

👉 Contact us today to explore how we can help your charity invest without compromise.