The challenge invited investment firms to propose fresh approaches to managing a potential £50 million mandate, with a strong emphasis on long-term benefit for future generations. Interest was high: 60 organisations applied, with five finalists selected to present their strategies at a live event attended by charities, impact investors and young people.
After a series of presentations and a live audience vote, Triodos came out on top.
James Anthony, Social Investment Portfolio Manager at Friends Provident Foundation, said the winning proposal stood out because of its “child-lens investing” framework, designed to prioritise outcomes for younger and future generations alongside financial returns.
For Triodos, the win represents validation of a growing movement in ethical investing.
Hadewych Kuiper, Managing Director of Investments at Triodos Investment Management, described the result as “an incredibly proud moment”, adding that the firm’s Future Generations strategy puts the wellbeing of tomorrow’s society at the centre of every investment decision.
A new voice in investment decisions
One of the most striking aspects of the initiative was the role played by a Future Generations Panel, a group of seven young adults from across the UK who were involved throughout the process.
After reviewing the five shortlisted investment strategies, the panel recommended that the audience vote for Triodos, a recommendation that was ultimately backed in the live vote.
For organisers, the moment highlighted the value of giving younger voices real influence over decisions that will shape their future.
Panel member Izzy explained the group had set clear criteria from the start: they wanted an investment approach that avoids harm but also actively contributes to positive outcomes for future generations.
Triodos impressed the panel with both the clarity of its strategy and its transparency during questioning.
A collaborative push for change
The Endowments Investing Challenge was organised by six foundations: The Blagrave Trust, The Children’s Society, Cripplegate Foundation, Friends Provident Foundation, the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and the Vivensa Foundation. Supporting partners included the John Ellerman Foundation, the Robertson Trust, the Impact Investing Institute, Gallagher and ShareAction.
Together, the group hopes the project will encourage a wider shift in how charitable capital is invested.
Jaspal Sian, Investment Portfolio Manager at the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, said collaboration is key to transforming the sector. By working together, foundations can build an ecosystem that treats wealth as a tool for tackling society’s biggest challenges rather than reinforcing them.
What happens next?
The process is not quite finished. Advisory firm Gallagher will now conduct further due diligence on Triodos Investment Management. Final investment decisions will then be made by the trustees and investment committees of the participating foundations.
If approved, the initiative could unlock up to £50 million in impact-focused investments, setting a powerful precedent for how charitable endowments might be deployed in the future.
For the investment industry, the message is clear: the next generation is ready to have a say in how capital shapes their world.
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