Schools and colleges
Ethical Investment for Education Providers
Helping schools and colleges manage their funds with clarity, responsibility, and values-led stewardship.
At Epworth Investment Management, we specialise in investment management for schools, academies, colleges, and trusts that want to manage their financial reserves responsibly and in line with their values. We understand the importance of protecting and growing educational funds while ensuring investments are ethical and aligned with your educational purpose.
Whether you are maintaining operational reserves, planning for capital projects, or seeking long-term financial growth, our ethical investment solutions for schools and colleges provide clear, values-driven strategies that support the stability and future of your institution.
Hear from our clients to understand what Epworth can offer you.
Why Epworth?
Responsible Financial Stewardship
Our investment approach helps educational institutions manage their resources wisely, with a strong focus on security, transparency, and long-term planning.
Aligned with Educational and Ethical Values
We understand that schools and colleges seek to avoid investments that contradict their ethos. Our solutions reflect a commitment to human dignity, sustainability, and social responsibility.
Clear Ethical Boundaries
We screen out harmful sectors — including armaments, fossil fuels, gambling, and companies with poor labour or environmental practices — and engage with companies to raise standards.
Trusted by Faith-Based and Non-Faith Institutions Alike
We work with a wide range of schools, academies, and colleges across the UK, providing tailored investment support that respects your governance structure and risk appetite.
Investment Options
The WS Epworth Multi Asset Fund is an all-in-one investment fund solution for charities, seeking to deliver an attractive level of income and long-term capital growth.
The Fund is designed for charities of all sizes and invests both directly and indirectly in a balanced portfolio of ethically screened equities, bonds, property, cash, and alternative assets.
Our Discretionary Service for Charities (DSC) provides an investment management service whereby portfolios are constructed to meet the specific objectives and risk tolerance of each charitable organisation.
We work in collaboration and partnership with trustees to actively manage the organisation’s investments on their behalf.
The Epworth Cash Plus Fund is designed to help charities manage their liquid assets efficiently. It offers same-day access to deposits* while aiming to deliver a competitive interest rate (currently 4.07% A.E.R.).
Charities’ funds are pooled and invested through diversified, high-quality financial instruments across multiple banking counterparties. Epworth actively manages these investments based on the outlook for interest rates and counterparty suitability.
Ethical Approach
As part of the Central Finance Board of the Methodist Church, Epworth follows a robust ethical framework shaped by long-standing Christian principles. We believe that investment decisions should reflect integrity, care for creation, and a commitment to the common good – values that many schools and colleges share, regardless of religious affiliation.
Speak to us today
Feel ready to explore what Epworth can offer your School or College? Click the button opposite to book an introductory call with our Head of Business Development, Simon Woolnough. Alternatively, click the button next to it to request a brochure of one or more of our products.
Simon Woolnough
Head of Business Development
s.woolnough@epworthim.com
07584 142 438
020 7496 3639
FAQs for Schools & Colleges
Why should a school or college invest ethically?
Ethical investment aligns reserves with your values, models positive citizenship for students and parents, and aims to deliver prudent, long-term financial outcomes that support your educational mission.
Is there a minimum investment size suitable for smaller schools?
Yes. Our funds are accessible from £1,000, so smaller schools and academies can participate without large entry thresholds.
Do you offer liquidity if we need funds for capital projects?
Yes. Our cash solution offers same-day or short-notice access to deposits, giving bursars flexibility for projects, maintenance and unexpected costs.
How do you make sure our investments set a positive example?
We publish clear screening thresholds and conduct-based exclusions:
- 0% (zero-tolerance): controversial weapons; fossil-fuel extraction/refining (thermal coal; oil & gas; tar sands; Arctic drilling); tobacco manufacture; production of pornography; predatory/high-interest lending; animal testing for cosmetics/household products (pharma law exception only); fur & exotic skins.
- 5%: strategic & combat weapons; civilian firearms & ammunition; tobacco-related products; distribution of pornography; recreational cannabis; gambling; fossil-fuel power companies expanding coal or lacking a credible net-zero plan; breast-milk substitutes where WHO Code/ATNI standards aren’t met; for-profit incarceration.
- 10%: alcohol (manufacture & wholesale; retail only as a minor part of a broader non-alcohol business); regulated non-cosmetic animal testing with a commitment to the 3Rs.
We also apply conduct-based exclusions (e.g., UNGC/UNGPs/ILO breaches, severe environmental harm, climate misalignment) and may exclude certain sovereign bonds.
Can students learn about ethical finance through our relationship with Epworth?
We can provide real-world examples of ethical investment in practice, along with reporting and case studies that help illustrate how values inform financial decisions.
*We reserve the right to require 7 days’ notice of withdrawals in exceptional circumstances but typically provide same day access. Full details and terms, including the Scheme Particulars, can be found at www.epworthim.com.