The social services non-profit industry in Europe focuses on meeting the varying needs of communities, including health care, housing, education, and youth services. Organizations work tirelessly to improve lives and advocate for underprivileged groups. This sector is comprised of charities, foundations, and community-based organizations that provide essential support services. In recent years, there has been a notable shift toward integrating technology and data analytics in service delivery, enhancing efficiency and outreach. As societal challenges like economic inequality and mental health issues persist, the industry is evolving, emphasizing collaboration and innovative approaches to create tangible impact across communities.


The investors in our list represent a mix of corporate, venture capital, and private equity firms, predominantly headquartered in the UK, with one based in Switzerland and one in Ireland. The size of these investors ranges from small teams of 11-50 employees to large organizations exceeding 10,000 staff, highlighting a broad spectrum of capacities within the investment community. Founded between 1987 and 2016, these entities actively engaged in 2024 with a variety of funding deals, underscoring their commitment to social impact. Notably, some investors made as many as 55 investments, revealing an i nsatiable appetite for driving change in the social services sector.


Top 12 Social Services Non Profit Investors in Europe


1. The National Lottery Community Fund


The National Lottery Community Fund is a not-for-profit organization based in London, England, that provides funding and grants to community projects across the UK. Founded in 2004, it aims to support initiatives that address social needs and improve community welfare, funded by contributions from National Lottery players. In recent transactions, the Fund has supported various organizations, including Toynbee Hall, which received £58,000 to help isolated older people and families during the Covid-19 pandemic. Additionally, Springaid International Development UK received nearly £10,000 for workshops aimed at children and young people, celebrating cultural heritage. The Fund also provided £49,711 to Midaye for a research project on the experiences of BME migrants during the pandemic, and a three-year funding award to SPEAR's Homeless Health Link Service to improve healthcare access for the homeless. These examples illustrate the Fund's commitment to enhancing social services and community welfare.


2. SBRI Healthcare

  • Website: sbrihealthcare.co.uk
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Twickenham, England, United Kingdom (UK)
  • Founded year: 2009
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 3
  • LinkedIn: sbri-healthcare

SBRI Healthcare is a not-for-profit healthcare innovation program founded in 2009, based in Twickenham, England. The organization provides funding and support to innovators and entrepreneurs who are addressing unmet health and care needs within the NHS and social care system. Their mission is to accelerate the development of innovative technologies and solutions that improve patient care and increase efficiencies in healthcare delivery. Notably, SBRI Healthcare has been involved in several significant transactions relevant to social services, including grants to organizations such as Barnardo's, which raised $122,941 in May 2022, and the Dorset Mental Health Forum, which secured $132,637 in October 2013. Additionally, they have supported Tellmi with grants totaling over $1 million in 2021 and 2022, further emphasizing their commitment to enhancing mental health services. These transactions highlight SBRI Healthcare's active engagement in the social services non-profit sector.


3. Bridges Fund Management Ltd.


Bridges Fund Management Ltd. is a private equity investment management firm based in London, England, founded in 2002. The firm specializes in sustainable and impact investing, focusing on providing investment solutions that address pressing issues such as climate change and social inequality. Bridges Fund Management targets institutional investors and organizations that seek to align their financial goals with positive social and environmental outcomes. Notably, the firm has been involved in several significant transactions within the social services non-profit sector, including investments in Action for Children, Community Links, St Basils, and Commonweal Housing. These organizations are dedicated to supporting vulnerable populations and improving social welfare, further emphasizing Bridges Fund Management's commitment to social impact through its investment activities.


4. AstraZeneca

  • Website: astrazeneca.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Cambridge, England, United Kingdom (UK)
  • Founded year: 1999
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 9
  • LinkedIn: astrazeneca

AstraZeneca is a prominent pharmaceutical and biotechnology company founded in 1999, headquartered in Cambridge, England. With a workforce exceeding 10,000 employees, the company is dedicated to developing and manufacturing a diverse range of medications and vaccines aimed at addressing major diseases. AstraZeneca's commitment to research and development is evident in its global operations, which focus on tackling pressing healthcare challenges. In addition to its core business, AstraZeneca has actively participated in social services through grant funding. Notably, in 2014, the company provided financial support to several organizations, including Manna Ministries, Sankofa Community Development Corporation, and Whittier Street Health Center, among others. These grants, totaling over $800,000, were aimed at enhancing community health and providing essential services, showcasing AstraZeneca's involvement in social welfare initiatives beyond its primary industry.


5. Arts Council England


Arts Council England is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting creativity and culture in England. Founded in 1940, it plays a crucial role in distributing lottery funding and developing initiatives that enhance the arts sector. In recent years, Arts Council England has been involved in several significant transactions that reflect its commitment to social services. For instance, it provided funding to The Reading Agency, which raised $378,380 to promote reading and literacy, and to Durham County Council, which received $1,817,043 to support community arts initiatives. Additionally, Arts Council England funded Maison Foo's 'Meet Your Neighbour' project, which connects audiences with refugee and asylum seekers through storytelling. They also supported Worcester Theatres' LGBTQ+ arts program, which fosters community engagement and inclusivity. Furthermore, Firstsite received £829,515 to transform lives through art and creativity in Colchester, showcasing the organization's dedication to social impact through the arts.


6. LGT Venture Philanthropy

  • Website: lgtvp.com
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
  • Founded year: 2007
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • LinkedIn: lgtvp

LGT Venture Philanthropy is a not-for-profit organization based in Zurich, Switzerland, founded in 2007. It is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for disadvantaged communities in Sub-Saharan Africa and India. The organization provides funding, business expertise, and access to networks to support local organizations in critical areas such as health, education, and environmental sustainability. LGT Venture Philanthropy has been involved in several significant transactions, primarily in the form of grants. Notable transactions include grants to mothers2mothers, which focuses on maternal and child health; The/Nudge Foundation, which aims to alleviate poverty; The Antara Foundation, which works on health and education initiatives; Last Mile Health, which provides healthcare solutions in remote areas; and the Financing Alliance for Health, which seeks to improve health financing. These initiatives reflect LGT Venture Philanthropy's commitment to creating lasting systemic change through collaborative partnerships in the social services sector.


7. Alkermes

  • Website: alkermes.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
  • Founded year: 1987
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • LinkedIn: alkermes

Alkermes plc is a biopharmaceutical company based in Dublin, Ireland, founded in 1987. The company specializes in developing innovative medicines for psychiatric and neurological disorders, focusing on conditions such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and addiction. In addition to their pharmaceutical endeavors, Alkermes has demonstrated a commitment to social services through their recent grant funding activities. In August 2023, they provided undisclosed amounts in grants to several organizations, including the CSG Justice Center, Caregiver Action Network, The Recovery Community Network, She Recovers Foundation, and 12-24 Club. These organizations are dedicated to supporting individuals affected by mental health issues and addiction, showcasing Alkermes' alignment with social service initiatives aimed at improving community health and well-being.


8. Global Innovation Fund


The Global Innovation Fund is a not-for-profit organization based in London, England, founded in 2014. It is dedicated to social innovation and aims to provide grants and risk capital to support entrepreneurs and innovators in developing countries. The fund focuses on improving the lives of individuals living on less than $5 a day by addressing critical development challenges and backing scalable solutions that foster impactful change. Notably, the Global Innovation Fund has been involved in several significant transactions relevant to the social services non-profit sector, including grants to Evidence Action and Development Media International, which aim to implement effective solutions for social issues. Additionally, they participated in funding rounds for WhereIsMyTransport, a mobility data company, indicating their interest in supporting innovative solutions that can enhance social services and infrastructure. Overall, the Global Innovation Fund's activities reflect a strong commitment to social impact and innovation.


9. BIO - the Belgian Investment Company for Developing Countries


BIO - the Belgian Investment Company for Developing Countries is a not-for-profit organization founded in 2001, based in Brussels, Belgium. It focuses on providing investment support and development financing to private sector companies in developing countries, aiming to facilitate access to growth and sustainable development resources. Notably, BIO has been involved in several transactions that align with social services objectives. For instance, they participated in a EUR 9.4 million capital raise for Kashf Foundation, which is dedicated to providing financial services to low-income communities, and supported Pact, an organization that works to improve lives through social and economic development. Other transactions include financing Banco VisionFund Ecuador and Proximity Finance, both of which have social impact missions. Through these investments, BIO demonstrates its commitment to fostering sustainable development and social services in the regions it operates.


10. DigitalHealth.London


DigitalHealth.London is a not-for-profit organization established in 2016, based in London, England. It serves as a connector between NHS staff, digital health companies, and academics, aiming to enhance health and care through digital innovation. The organization runs various programs, including the Accelerator and Digital Pioneer Fellowship, to facilitate the adoption of digital solutions in the NHS. In terms of transactions, DigitalHealth.London has been involved in several funding rounds, including the Seed Round for Tellmi in 2018, and various Non Equity Assistance transactions for companies like Mobilise, White Swan, Solutions4Health, and Joy. These transactions reflect their commitment to supporting innovative solutions that can address challenges in health care, which is closely related to social services.


11. Bgf

  • Website: bgf.co.uk
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: London, England, United Kingdom (UK)
  • Founded year: 2011
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 53
  • LinkedIn: bgfinvestments

BGF Investment Management Limited is a venture capital firm founded in 2011, based in London, England. The firm specializes in providing growth funding and value creation support to small and mid-sized businesses across the UK and Ireland. BGF addresses the funding gap in the market through minority investments and extensive support services. Notably, BGF has made several investments in the social services sector, including an £8.5 million investment in Antser, a social care business, and £3.85 million in Dolphin Homes, a specialist care provider for young adults with complex health needs. These investments are aimed at enhancing the capacity and quality of care services. Additionally, BGF invested £3 million in Kooth, a digital mental health platform, which highlights their commitment to supporting mental health initiatives. Through these transactions, BGF demonstrates its engagement in the social services non-profit context, making it a significant player in this field.


12. Nesta

  • Website: nesta.org.uk
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: London, England, United Kingdom (UK)
  • Founded year: 1998
  • Headcount: 201-500
  • Number of deals in 2024: 4
  • LinkedIn: nesta

Nesta is a not-for-profit innovation foundation based in London, England, founded in 1998. It focuses on social good by supporting various initiatives aimed at reducing inequality, improving health outcomes, and promoting sustainability. Nesta engages in research, funding, and the development of innovative solutions to address significant societal challenges. In 2019, Nesta provided grants to several organizations, including Khulisa, which raised $55,708, Football Beyond Borders (FBB) with $63,551, and Empathy Lab with $66,054. These transactions highlight Nesta's commitment to funding projects that align with social services and community welfare, making it a key player in the non-profit sector.



Social Services Non Profit Insights: Key Investors in Europe


InvestorHeadquarterSizeFoundedDeals 2024
The National Lottery Community FundLondon, England, United Kingdom (UK)501-100020044
SBRI HealthcareTwickenham, England, United Kingdom (UK)11-5020093
Bridges Fund Management Ltd.London, England, United Kingdom (UK)11-5020020
AstraZenecaCambridge, England, United Kingdom (UK)10001+19999
Arts Council EnglandManchester, England, United Kingdom (UK)501-100019403
LGT Venture PhilanthropyZurich, Zurich, Switzerland11-5020070
AlkermesDublin, Dublin, Ireland1001-500019870
Global Innovation FundLondon, England, United Kingdom (UK)11-5020141
BIO - the Belgian Investment Company for Developing CountriesBrussels, Brussels, Belgium51-20020014
DigitalHealth.LondonLondon, England, United Kingdom (UK)11-5020161
BgfLondon, England, United Kingdom (UK)51-200201153
NestaLondon, England, United Kingdom (UK)201-50019984


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