NAVIGATING UNCERTAINTY
BNY Investments Newton 2025 Investment Survey for Charities, Endowments and Foundations
Charity investing is changing. Are you keeping pace with what comes next? Our latest survey explores how UK charities, endowments and foundations are navigating today’s pressures from economic uncertainty to rising demand while adapting investment strategies for a more complex future.
Key Topics Covered
1
Demand remains high, even as pressures ease
Charities are operating on firmer ground, but demand for services continues to rise, creating ongoing strain even as the direct impacts of recent crises recede.
- 65% of charities report increased demand for their services year on year - the highest level on record.
- Growth in demand is coming from both new and existing beneficiaries.
2
Risk and resilience move centre stage
As immediate economic shocks fade, charities are increasingly focused on managing emerging and long‑term risks to their operations and reputations.
- 47% of charities cite cybersecurity and online threats as very concerning, up from 39% in 2024.
- Cyber risk is now the single most pressing concern across the sector.
3
Stronger governance and more professional investment oversight
Investment practices continue to mature, with charities sharpening governance frameworks and aligning policies with regulatory expectations.
- 80% of charities have reviewed their investment policy statement following CC14 guidance.
- Many reviews have led to material policy changes, including greater consideration of non‑financial factors.
4
Investment performance supports confidence and impact
Another year of solid returns has helped charities meet obligations and, for some, consider increasing charitable spending.
- 84% of charities say investment returns met the level required to support their commitments.
- 59% achieved total returns between 3% and 9%, well above most post‑pandemic years.
Source: Dataset based on 60 charities with a combined £41.9 billion in assets where fieldwork took place October – December 2025.
BY THE NUMBERS
BNY Investments Newton’s Investment Survey for Charities, Endowments and Foundations explores key themes in charitable portfolio management and provides a clear industry benchmark, helping you see how your investment experience and future intentions compare with those of your peers.
60
CHARITIES SURVEYED
£41.9bn
COMBINED ASSETS UNDER MANAGEMENT ACROSS PARTICIPATING CHARITIES
12th
EDITION OF THE SURVEY
These opinions should not be construed as investment or any other advice and are subject to change. This document is for information purposes only. Any reference to a specific security, country or sector should not be construed as a recommendation to buy or sell investments in those securities, countries or sectors.
Issued in the UK by Newton Investment Management Limited, 160 Queen Victoria Street, London, EC4V 4LA. Registered in England No. 01371973. Newton Investment Management Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, 12 Endeavour Square, London, E20 1JN and is a subsidiary of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation. ‘Newton’ and/or ‘Newton Investment Management’ and/or ‘BNY Investments Newton’ is a corporate brand which refers to the following group of affiliated companies: Newton Investment Management Limited (NIM) and Newton Investment Management North America LLC (NIMNA). NIMNA was established in 2021.