Beyond Grants: Leveraging Your Endowment 2026

Philea and Impact Europe, through the joint “Beyond Grants: A Holistic Approach to Philanthropy” initiative will host “Beyond Grants: Leveraging Your Endowment 2026” online on 23 June.

This session opens the 2026 gatherings cycle of the Beyond Grants Community of Practice and introduces the key questions shaping how foundations are using endowment capital more intentionally in service of mission. Building on insights and practices emerging across Europe and beyond, the session will feature insights from the Endowments Investing Challenge, a collaborative initiative where six foundations have pooled a £50 million investment mandate and launched an open tender process to select an impact-led investment manager. The initiative stands out for its transparency and participatory approach, including the involvement of a youth panel (ages 18–25) in shaping the investment criteria and engaging directly with shortlisted providers.

Through this real-world example, participants will explore how endowments can move from being seen primarily as a financial backbone to becoming an active lever for impact, touching on governance, risk appetite, internal alignment, and practical first steps.

Charting the future of philanthropy will require thinking beyond the usual and getting holistic. We can no longer ignore the need for philanthropy and business to move in concert, nor the fact that a foundation’s impact comes not only from its philanthropic partnerships but also from its investment approaches and decisions. Beyond Grants calls for in-depth discussion on strategic and operational levels about the future of philanthropy and its core instruments. 

Impact Europe and Philea bring unique skills, knowledge and reach towards the goal of demystifying impact investing for philanthropic organisations. By working together, we seek to establish clear pathways for experienced, new and potential practitioners. The workplan is built by its practitioner community, guided by its needs and supported by a dedicated Advisory Committee.