Scope: a pioneer of social investment

Today the Prime Minister made a speech calling for the growth of a global social investment market. Scope has pioneered this approach with its Bond. Today also sees the launch of the Social Stock Exchange (SSE), which gives investors access to publicly listed businesses with strong social and environmental purpose, and guarantees full and transparent disclosure on the impact of those businesses. Check out this blog to find out more about social investment.

Richard Hawkes, chief executive of the disability charity Scope, said:
"Social investment is vital. Charities can't just rely on traditional donations. More and more investors are looking for ways to invest their money that has a social as well as financial return. We need to bring them together; and we need to encourage more charities and investors to follow suit.

"It's great that the PM is championing social investment and the launch of the Social Stock Exchange is good news. We know how difficult it can be for social investors to find appropriate social businesses or charities to invest in and vice-versa.

"As the first traditional charity to list a corporate bond, we know social investment works. We launched the Scope Bond in 2011, which offered investors a return of 2% and the opportunity to support our work making this a better place for disabled people.

"We raised £2 million, which we used to fund the opening of new charity shops and seeking new regular donors, which both provides the income to repay investors and a sustainable income for our network of parents befriending groups and information and advice service.

"We hope this is the catalyst for a growth in the market, building on the recently proposed consultation on tax relief for social investment, which will let more charities, social enterprise and companies to deliver a social impact and make our society a better place for everyone."