When most people think about philanthropy, they imagine giving money away—writing a check, making a grant, maybe setting up a foundation or a donor advised fund. That traditional model still plays a big role in charitable giving, but there’s a new approach that’s reshaping how many families think about their philanthropy. It’s called impact investing, and it’s changing how donors use their wealth to do good in the world.
At Crewe Foundation Services, we work with individuals and families who want their charitable dollars to be thoughtful, strategic, and meaningful. For many of the families we serve, impact investing isn’t just a trend—it’s a natural extension of how they want to use their resources to create lasting change.
Let’s break down what impact investing is, how it works, and how it can fit into a broader giving strategy that includes things like donor advised funds and private foundations.
Making Money Do More
Impact investing is the idea that you don’t have to choose between doing well financially and doing good in the world. You can invest in businesses, projects, or funds that aim to create positive outcomes—whether that’s in clean energy, affordable housing, education, global health, or dozens of other areas—and still earn a return on your money.
What makes impact investing different from traditional investing is the intention behind it. You’re not just hoping a company happens to do some good. You’re selecting investments because they align with the causes and values you care about.
It’s also different from traditional charitable giving, where you give a donation and don’t expect anything back. Impact investing lives in the space between those two worlds—it’s active, intentional, and designed to create both financial and social value.
How This Fits into Philanthropy
One of the most common questions we get is, “Can I use my foundation or donor advised fund for impact investing?” The short answer is: yes, and in many cases, you should be.
Whether you’re managing a private foundation or a donor advised fund, those dollars are often sitting in an investment account until you’re ready to make a grant. Instead of leaving those funds in a generic portfolio that may not align with your values, impact investing gives you a chance to be more thoughtful about where those assets are placed.
For example, if your family foundation is passionate about early childhood education, it might make sense to invest in a fund that supports charter schools or ed-tech startups focused on literacy. If you’re supporting environmental causes, you could invest in renewable energy projects or companies focused on sustainable agriculture.
We’ve helped clients take a closer look at how their invested charitable assets are being used and ask an important question: Does our portfolio reflect our mission?
What It Looks Like in Practice
Impact investing can take different shapes depending on your goals and comfort level. Some families want to stay close to home, supporting local initiatives that offer both community benefit and financial return. Others are drawn to global issues like water access or microfinance.
The key is clarity. You’ll want to decide whether you’re aiming for market-rate returns or whether you’re open to more modest gains in exchange for deeper impact. You’ll also need a way to measure what success looks like—not just financially, but socially.
That’s where we come in. At Crewe Foundation Services, we work alongside your financial advisors, attorneys, and family members to make sure your investments are aligned with your broader giving strategy. We help you identify opportunities, vet them properly, and make sure the impact you’re aiming for is being tracked in a real, meaningful way.
This isn’t about guessing. It’s about being intentional, thoughtful, and clear on what kind of change you want to be a part of.
Donor Advised Funds, Foundations & Impact
Both donor advised funds (DAFs) and private foundations offer pathways to integrate impact investing. For DAFs, the process is often more streamlined—you can recommend how the assets are invested while keeping the flexibility to grant funds when you’re ready. Foundations offer more control, especially for families who want to build a legacy and have a say in both how funds are invested and how grants are distributed.
In both cases, we’ve seen families take what used to be a passive investment approach and turn it into something far more aligned with their values. Imagine your entire charitable portfolio—grants, investments, and long-term planning—working together to support the causes you care most about. That’s the power of integrating impact investing into your philanthropic toolkit.
So, Is Impact Investing Right for You?
Not everyone needs to go all in on impact investing. Some families want to start small, allocating a portion of their charitable assets to mission-aligned investments and seeing how it goes. Others dive right in and shift most of their charitable capital into impact-first strategies.
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach. The right path depends on your goals, your timeline, your comfort with risk, and your vision for the future.
What we do know is this: when donors are thoughtful about how their dollars are used—from the grants they make to the investments they hold—amazing things can happen. Communities get stronger. Innovations get funded. And legacies take on deeper meaning.
Let’s Talk About Your Goals
Impact investing isn’t just about finding the right fund or screening your portfolio. It’s about rethinking the role your wealth can play in the world. Whether you’re just getting started with charitable giving or already managing a foundation or DAF, we’re here to help you explore what’s possible.
At Crewe Foundation Services, we help you design a giving strategy that reflects your values, supports the causes you care about, and makes every dollar work harder. If impact investing feels like something worth exploring, let’s start a conversation. Together, we can build a strategy that’s not just generous—but powerful.
