Impact Investing: A Guide for Community Foundations is a resource provided by a New Zealand-based legal firm to support philanthropic organisations in navigating the legal and practical complexities of impact investment. It serves as an educational tool to help foundations move beyond traditional grant-making by deploying capital into initiatives that generate both financial returns and measurable social or environmental outcomes. Finance professionals, particularly those advising non-profits or managing philanthropic assets, may find it relevant for understanding the structural and legal frameworks required for impact-driven portfolios.

Organisation behind the tool

The guide was developed by Parry Field Lawyers, a legal firm with a specialised team focused on impact law and social enterprise.

What the tool does

The guide provides a comprehensive overview of how community foundations can integrate impact investing into their operations. Key features include:

• Detailed outlines of the legal considerations for impact investments.
• Methodologies for aligning investment strategies with a foundation’s specific purpose.
• Guidance on navigating the journey from learning and design to active implementation.
• Access to a broader information hub containing free resources, legal templates, and event updates.

Target audience

The primary audience includes community foundations, philanthropic organisations, and not-for-profit boards. It is also highly relevant for lawyers, financial advisers, and investment managers working within the charitable sector.

Relevance to finance professionals

Finance professionals can apply this resource to various aspects of sustainable finance, including:

• Risk assessment – Understanding the legal and fiduciary risks associated with non-traditional investment structures in a philanthropic context.
• ESG analysis – Implementing frameworks that allow for the tracking of social and environmental performance alongside financial returns.
• Investment context – Exploring long-term economic trends regarding the shift from pure philanthropy to sustainable, return-generating social investments.