Impact Investing Guide for Indian Family Offices

Refer this description - In a first of its kind study, Waterfield Advisors and the India Impact Investors Council (IIC) have come together to present a comprehensive picture on the state of impact investing practices amongst family offices (FOs) and high net-worth individuals (HNIs) in India.

This report attempts to answer a variety of key questions such as: Is impact investing a credible investment option? How do FOs/HNIs view the trade-offs between risk, return and social impact? What more can be done to catalyze larger flows into the sector?

Click here to download the report and find the answers to the above questions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is impact investing, in simple terms?

It's putting your money into businesses or funds with the specific intention of generating a measurable social or environmental benefit — alongside a financial return, not instead of one. It's not charity; you expect the money back, ideally with a profit, while also expecting to see real-world impact.

How is impact investing different from philanthropy or CSR?

Philanthropy and CSR are typically one-way — you give money away and don't expect it back. Impact investing is still an investment: you put capital in expecting both a financial return and a measurable positive outcome, and that capital can be reinvested again once it comes back.

How is impact investing different from ESG investing?

ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) investing is mostly about screening out companies with poor practices or favoring ones with better ones, but the primary goal is usually still just financial return. Impact investing goes a step further — the social or environmental outcome is an intentional, defined goal of the investment itself, not just a filter applied to a regular portfolio.