About
Environmental Impact Investing Group
The Environmental Impact Investing Group (EIIG) supports trusts, foundations and individuals to learn more about environmental impact investing and develop their work in this area. Environmental impact investments are investments made with the intention to generate positive, measurable environmental impact alongside a financial return.
There are many different types of investment finance which can have a positive environmental impact and trusts, foundations and individuals have an important role in making a difference in this field.
About the EIIG
The EIIG completed its pilot year in 2024 with a programme of learning events, live market information days and networking with fellow members and investors. Participants learnt about a wide range of issues related to impact investing and attended three market information days to help build a pipeline of investment opportunities.
In 2025 and onwards, we are running phase two of the EIIG, which builds on the successes of the pilot and offers tailored support for the funders interested in impact investing. The aim of the new phase is to increase the confidence and knowledge of funders around environmental impact investing and to increase funders using all aspects of charitable funding to increase environmental outcomes.
Activities will include:
- Deep Dives: one-to-one consultations with foundations and investors to explore barriers and opportunities in environmental impact investing.
- Pipeline development: sourcing and assessing investment opportunities with presentations at market information days.
- Learning programme: online learning sessions, peer learning circles, and tailored follow-up to address members’ challenges.
- Knowledge sharing: documenting insights from this six-month programme to inform and strengthen the field.
Join
Environmental Impact Investing Group
The EIIG is open to previous EIIG members (regardless of how involved they were) and any funders that are interested or want to learn more about environmental impact investing. To join, please fill in the short form below.
EIIG Team
Jo Heywood is a social enterprise and impact investment specialist with 20+ years’ experience supporting charities, foundations, and social enterprises to achieve innovation, growth, and measurable impact. At Better Society Capital, she chaired the 40-member Social Impact Investors Group and co-founded the Responsible Investment Network for UK Universities. She has advised over 200 foundations, corporates, and charities on impact strategy, exits, and measurement. Jo currently serves on the Postcode Innovation Trust’s Social Investment Panel and previously led impact investment programmes at Oxfam and Christian Aid.
Gail Cunningham is an independent consultant working with foundations and networks on impact investing and investment governance. Current roles include leading the Charity Investment Governance Principles project and working as an advisor to Better Society Capital on foundation impact investing. She was previously head of investment learning at the Association of Charitable Foundations, leading the Social Impact Investors Group between 2018-2023; and country-lead for the Macquarie Group Foundation in the UK and Canada.
Oscar Brennecke-Dunn, Event Programme Manager, is the EFN lead on this project.
Our thanks go to Jenny Sansom, who led the EIIG pilot programme and review.
Next EIIG events
EFN’s Environmental Impact Investing Group: Phase 2 Launch
Learn more about Phase 2 of the Environmental Impact Investing Group (EIIG).
Watch | Environmental Impact Investing Group learning programme
EIIG members can find all the recordings from the learning programme here.