Return v Impact: Philanthropy and Social Investment

By Steve Walker – Chief Executive, ART Business Loans
 
Down the years there have always been individuals and companies that are prepared to share their wealth to aid those less fortunate either locally, nationally or globally. At this time of global crisis and economic upheaval, Dr Steve Walker, Chief Executive of ART Business Loans, a social enterprise which has always relied on such support, reflects on how the mechanisms and rewards for philanthropy and social investment have changed and the opportunities available right now to those with some money they would like to put it to good use.
Having spent 29 years in a banking career, my own major introduction to philanthropy and social investment came 25 years ago, when I joined an emerging sector – social enterprise – initially as a secondee through Business in the Community.
As a co-founder of Aston Reinvestment Trust (now ART Business Loans), I was mentored by one of Birmingham’s greatest 20th century philanthropists, Sir Adria...