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Putting our money where their mouth is: Alignment of charitable aims with charity investments – Tensions in policy and practice

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  • Kreander, Niklas
  • Beattie, Vivien
  • McPhail, Ken

Abstract

Given the values-driven nature of the mission of most charities, it might be expected that investment behaviour would be similarly values-driven. This paper documents the ethical investment policies and practices of the largest UK charities and explores how these are aligned with the charitable aims, drawing upon accountability, behavioural and managerial perspectives as theoretical lenses. The study employs two distinct research methods: responses to a postal questionnaire and follow-up semi-structured interviews with selected charities. The evidence indicates that a significant minority of large charities do not have a written ethical investment policy. Charities with larger investments, fundraising charities and religious charities were more likely to have a written ethical policy. We suggest that there is a pressing need for improved alignment between charities' aims and their investment practices and better monitoring of investment policies.

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  • Kreander, Niklas & Beattie, Vivien & McPhail, Ken, 2009. "Putting our money where their mouth is: Alignment of charitable aims with charity investments – Tensions in policy and practice," The British Accounting Review, Elsevier, vol. 41(3), pages 154-168.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:bracre:v:41:y:2009:i:3:p:154-168
    DOI: 10.1016/j.bar.2009.06.001
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    2. Carolyn J. Cordery & Dalice Sim & Tony Zijl & Gary Monroe, 2017. "Differentiated regulation: the case of charities," Accounting and Finance, Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 57(1), pages 131-164, March.
    3. Philip D. Palmer, 2013. "Exploring attitudes to financial reporting in the Australian not-for-profit sector," Accounting and Finance, Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 53(1), pages 217-241, March.
    4. Connolly, Ciaran & Hyndman, Noel & McConville, Danielle, 2013. "UK charity accounting: An exercise in widening stakeholder engagement," The British Accounting Review, Elsevier, vol. 45(1), pages 58-69.
    5. Sofia Yasmin & Roszaini Haniffa & Mohammad Hudaib, 2014. "Communicated Accountability by Faith-Based Charity Organisations," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 122(1), pages 103-123, June.
    6. van der Heijden, Hans, 2013. "Small is beautiful? Financial efficiency of small fundraising charities," The British Accounting Review, Elsevier, vol. 45(1), pages 50-57.

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