GIIN Launches Annual Impact Investor Survey 2016

Wednesday, May 18, 2016

The Global Impact Investing Network (GIIN) today published the sixth edition of its Annual Impact Investor Survey, which signals continued market growth and an increasing interest in impact investing opportunities. With a sample that comprises 158 of the world’s leading impact investors, the survey provides detailed insight into investor perceptions and a number of key market variables such as types of investors, the number and size of investments made, target returns, and impact measurement practices. During 2015, respondents committed a total of $15.2 billion to impact investments and, as of year’s end, managed over $77 billion in impact assets. Impact investments continue to be made across different geographies, a range of sectors, and multiple asset classes.

Some key findings from this year’s survey:

  • Survey respondents committed a total of $15.2 billion to impact investments in 2015 and plan to increase capital committed by 16% to $17.7 billion in 2016
  • Impact investors surveyed committed capital to 7,551 deals in 2015 and plan to commit capital to 11,722 deals in 2016
  • Fund managers, who play a critical role in the market, raised $6.7 billion in 2015 for impact investing and plan to raise $12.4 billion in 2016
  • Nearly 90% of all respondents said the financial performance of their investments was in line with or above expectations (with 19% reporting outperformance), and 99% reported impact performance in line with or better than expectations (with 27% reporting outperformance)
  • The most commonly targeted social impact themes were access to finance, employment generation, and health improvement, followed by education and income growth/livelihoods support
  • Top targeted environmental impact themes were renewable energy, energy efficiency, and clean technology

“We are encouraged to see the development of a truly diverse and global impact investing market,” said Amit Bouri, GIIN CEO. “This survey highlights a thriving market being built across geographies, sectors, and asset classes. As the practice of impact investing continues to grow and mature, the GIIN is committed to working with our Network to accelerate the market’s development so we can realize our collective potential to positively change the world.”

The findings are based on a survey of 158 separate impact investing organizations that includes fund managers, foundations, banks, development finance institutions, family offices, pension funds, and insurance companies. Respondents indicated a variety of motivations for allocating capital to impact investments, with the top three choices reflecting a commitment to responsible investment, a desire to meet impact goals, and response to client demand.

J.P. Morgan is an anchor sponsor for this year’s survey. The study was also produced with support from the U.K. Government through the Department for International Development’s Impact Programme.

About GIIN
The Global Impact Investing Network (GIIN) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing the scale and effectiveness of impact investing. Impact investments are investments made into companies, organizations, and funds with the intention to generate social and environmental impact alongside a financial return. Impact investments can be made in both emerging and developed markets, and target a range of returns from below market to market rate, depending upon the circumstances. The GIIN builds critical infrastructure and supports activities, education, and research that help accelerate the development of a coherent impact investing industry. For more information, please visit www.thegiin.org.

Source: Press Release (link opens in a new window)

Categories
Impact Assessment, Investing
Tags
impact investing