Social lending  

A new funding paradigm

Prospects for social lending and investment by foundations in New Zealand

Produced December 2009


In 2009 ASB Community Trust and The Tindall Foundation commissioned Glen Saunders to find out:

  • What are trusts and foundations doing overseas in social lending and investment?
  • What is happening in New Zealand?
  • What are the prospects for increasing this in New Zealand?


Glen Saunders' report, produced in October 2009, is now public and will be circulated widely. A number of trusts and foundations are interested in developing this activity and it is hoped that what is presented will be useful to them in taking this forward.

The report contains an overview of social lending and investment, the international and New Zealand experience of social lending and addresses whether foundations should undertake social lending. 

It is the first research completed for New Zealand on the emerging field of mission and programme-related investment, which aims to address issues through provision of support beyond only grants or donations.

We think it will be useful to those seeking new ways to achieve social and environmental improvements through the application of capital in the form of social investment and loans.

To help disseminate this information, a four-page summary think-piece is now available on our website, along with a full copy of the report.