Featured GIIN Publication

Annual Impact Investor Survey 2018

Global Impact Investing Network June 6, 2018 Abhilash Mudaliar, Rachel Bass, Hannah Dithrich

The GIIN’s 2018 Annual Impact Investor Survey signals a diverse and dynamic impact investing market. The report findings are based on survey responses from 229 of the world’s leading impact investing organizations, including: fund managers, banks, foundations, development finance institutions, pension funds, insurance companies, and family offices. In total, respondents collectively manage over USD 228 billion in impact investing assets, a figure which serves as the latest best-available ‘floor’ for the size of the impact investing market.

In its eighth edition, this year’s survey provides in-depth analysis of market activity and trends, covering topics such as: capital allocations by sector and geography, indicators of market development and industry challenges, approaches to impact measurement and management, and satisfaction with financial and impact performance. For the first time, this year’s report includes a five-year trends analysis of growth and changes in the industry. The report also presents extensive information on many aspects of today’s impact investing market and sheds light on investors’ perspectives on a variety of current market topics such as: strategies to preserve impact integrity, the level of importance of various technologies to the future of impact investing, the role of public policy, and the role of blended finance.

This report is made possible by the support of the American People through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The contents of this report are the sole responsibility of the Global Impact Investing Network (GIIN) and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government. The report was also produced with the support of the British people through the Department for International Development’s Impact Programme (DFID). The contents of this report do not necessarily reflect the views of DFID or the British Government.

Download the Executive Summary of the report here >

Download the full 2018 Annual Impact Investor Survey:

Interact with Data on Sub-Groups of Survey Respondents

In order to offer greater insight into findings from the GIIN’s 2018 Annual Impact Investor Survey, the figures below show how findings vary between different sub-groups of respondents that share certain characteristics. Examples of sub-groups are investors with the majority of their capital allocated to a particular asset class or geography. The table to the right details the sub-groups included and their defining characteristics.

Helpful hint: Hover over each chart to see precise figures.

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Helpful hint: Hover over each chart to see precise figures.

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Helpful hint: Hover over each chart to see precise figures.

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Helpful hint: Hover over each chart to see precise figures.

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Helpful hint: Hover over each chart to see precise figures.

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Sub-group of Respondents Description of the category
Emerging Market-focused Investors Respondents that allocate ≥ 75% of their current impact investment assets under management (AUM) to emerging markets
Developed Market-focused Investors

Respondents that allocate ≥ 75% of their current impact investment AUM to developed markets

Private Debt-focused Investors Respondents that allocate ≥ 75% of their current impact investment AUM to private debt
Private Equity-focused Investors Respondents that allocate ≥ 75% of their current impact investment AUM to private equity
Market-Rate Investors Market-Rate Investors
Below-Market Investors Respondents that principally target below-market-rate returns, some closer to market-rate and some closer to capital preservation
Impact-only Investors Respondents that invest only in impact investing strategies
Impact and Conventional Investors Respondents that invest in impact investing strategies in addition to conventional strategies
Small Investors Respondents with total impact investment AUM ≤ USD 100 million
Medium Investors Respondents with total impact investment AUM > USD 100 million and ≤ USD 500 million
Large Investors Respondents with total impact investment AUM > USD 500 million

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