Our Commitment to EDI
We recognise that fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace is an ongoing journey. In recent years, we have become increasingly aware of the importance of EDI. This page outlines our vision and the steps we are taking to promote equity, diversity, and inclusion within Charity Bank and beyond.
Creating an Inclusive Environment
“We are committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for everyone, regardless of their background, identity, or beliefs. Whether you’re a customer or team member, we want you to feel empowered to be your true self and know you belong at Charity Bank”
Ed Siegel, CEO, Charity Bank
Charity Bank Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Statement
At Charity Bank, our commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) goes beyond being just a part of our mission—it is ingrained in our values.
Our objective is to cultivate an inclusive workplace and contribute towards creating a more equitable society that values diversity, ensuring all individuals, regardless of their background, enjoy fairer access to opportunities, resources, and support to thrive.
EDI is not merely a positive change we pledge to drive within the UK and our team; it serves as the guiding force shaping how we operate and catalyse positive social change.
Equity
Equity acknowledges the diverse identities, starting points and needs of individuals, providing fair and just opportunities for all to thrive by eliminating barriers and systemic disadvantages. It also recognises the interconnected nature of identities, which overlap and shape one’s experience.
Diversity
Diversity is about respecting and celebrating human differences, both visible and invisible, bringing forth unique perspectives, experiences, and ideas crucial for innovation, growth, and social change.
Inclusion
Inclusion strives to construct a culture that fosters belonging to enable voices and participation for all. Through the promotion of inclusion, we harness the collective power and potential of our diverse workforce, savers, and borrowers.
Building an Inclusive Workplace
We are committed to building a workplace that nurtures inclusion, belonging, and psychological safety, creating an environment where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to contribute, thereby unlocking the full potential of our employees and driving organisational success.
Addressing Systemic Inequalities
To effectively address systemic inequalities and achieve EDI outcomes with our borrowers and partners, we are committed to building a diverse workforce reflective of the communities we seek to serve. With their lived experience, a diverse team will empower us to reflect on our biases and offer more accessible service and tailored support to diverse communities, removing barriers to partnerships with savers and borrowers. Through continuous learning and reflection on the EDI journey, our team will be more confident in making informed and inclusive decisions and creating a greater social impact.
Aspiration to Become a Trusted Ally
Our aspiration is to become a trusted ally for change and the lender of choice within the diverse communities of the social sector, allowing us to reach the most underserved communities, contribute to addressing systemic inequalities, and create a more equitable society. This is achieved through active engagement and listening to the communities we serve, developing products and services targeting organisations that historically faced barriers to accessing finance, and ensuring our services and processes are accessible, equitable, and inclusive. We seek to hold ourselves accountable by enhancing the transparency of our practices and how we invest the money from savers and investors.
Influencing the Social Investment Sector
We aim to influence the social investment sector in the UK to be more equitable and inclusive. By actively sharing learnings, reflections, and best practices with stakeholders and the wider community, we strive to be transparent and accountable to our clients, investors and partners while challenging biases and inequalities to drive systemic change. Through our products and communication efforts, we endeavour to amplify the voices of the minoritised communities we work with to inspire action and change.
Beyond the fundamental values and principles that define Charity Bank and guide our operations, EDI is our pathway to contributing to creating an inclusive and equitable society for all.
Our Pledge for Change: Manifesto 2.0
We’re proud to be a signatory to the Diversity Forum’s Manifesto 2.0. This signifies our commitment to fostering EDI within Charity Bank and actively participating in creating a more diverse social investment landscape.
Charity Bank Brighter Futures Fund
In 2024, we allocated part of our surplus to the Charity Bank Brighter Futures Fund, providing grants to enable impactful financing applications to go forward.
All initial funding will go to diverse-led organisations or those in the bottom 30% of deprived UK areas.
Lending Equal Access Programme (LEAP)
Our LEAP programme offered tranches of unsecured blended finance loans to smaller organisation that have historically struggled to access finance. The LEAP programme was particularly targeted towards diverse-led charities and social enterprises that have been excluded from both mainstream and social investment. The programme is currently fully committed but we intend to launch a new round of funding in 2025.