Increasingly, ‘social investment’ means more than just philanthropy, with investors seeking to promote social and environmental ends through their investment in companies. Paying a fair amount of tax is increasingly seen as a sign of responsible corporate behaviour and the rise in global equity impact funds means multinational public businesses are increasingly under greater scrutiny, including when it comes to their tax behaviour. So how can investors check that companies are ‘playing fair’? Tax contributions …

It may seem like the ultimate insider topic, but thanks to a new Australian report, debates about how philanthropy is regulated just got interesting. Most policy chat in recent years has focused on the US. The country’s 1969 policy settlement – which lays out rules for the management of endowed philanthropy – faces unprecedented challenge. Industry bodies like the US Council on Foundations are desperately trying to navigate a path through major political turbulence, while …

Much has been written about Melinda French Gates and what she calls her ‘new chapter’ – her philanthropic plans following her separation from Bill Gates and subsequent departure from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation – now to be known as the Gates Foundation. Most commentary has been positive. No longer second among equals to Bill Gates, Melinda French Gates is deepening her focus on opportunity and equality for women – all with $12 billion …

Impact investors have united to voice concerns about the European Union’s Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR), saying the regulation doesn’t recognise the difference between positive impact investment and investments in sustainable practices. The SFDR was created to enhance transparency around sustainability-related investment claims, prevent greenwashing and to channel capital flows toward sustainable economic activities. But it needs more clarity, according to our survey of 21 impact fund managers. Late in 2023, along with the Global Steering …