Investments
Sustaining our support for the Army community
The Army Central Fund’s investments provide the financial foundation for our grantmaking. By managing our endowment carefully, we are able to support serving personnel and their families not just today, but for generations to come.
Our approach is long-term. We balance current grantmaking with the need to preserve and grow our capital, ensuring that future generations benefit from the Army Central Fund in the same way as those we support today.
Our investment approach
Our investment strategy is designed to:
- Deliver real growth in capital over the long term
- Support a sustainable and predictable level of grantmaking
- Maintain the long-term value of our investments in real terms
We adopt a Total Return approach to grantmaking. Each year, the Board allocates funding equivalent to a percentage of the value of our investments (typically around 3–4%), averaged over a three-year period.
This approach provides stability in our funding while allowing investments to grow over time, ensuring that both current and future beneficiaries are supported.
How our investments are managed
The Army Central Fund’s investments are overseen by the Board, supported by professional investment advisers.
The majority of our capital is invested in diversified, multi-asset funds designed to deliver both growth and return over time. We also hold a smaller proportion of investments in property and other funds to support diversification and resilience.
This approach helps to manage risk, respond to changing market conditions, and support a stable and sustainable level of grantmaking.
Balancing today and tomorrow
Our investment model is designed to support both current and future beneficiaries.
By maintaining a disciplined spending approach and focusing on long-term growth, we are able to:
- Provide consistent, predictable funding each year
- Respond to emerging needs where appropriate
- Protect the Army Central Fund’s ability to support the Army community in the future
From time to time, where there is exceptional need and where financial conditions allow, the Board may also consider drawing on capital to support major or strategic projects.
Financial stewardship
We are committed to strong financial governance and transparency.
- Our finances are overseen by the Board of Directors of the Army Central Fund Trustee Ltd, our corporate Trustee
- An independent Treasurer monitors financial activity and reporting
- Our accounts are externally audited each year
- Robust financial controls are in place to safeguard assets and manage risk
This ensures that the Army Central Fund remains a responsible and effective steward of the resources entrusted to it.
Featured projects
Projects we’ve supported and the impact they create
Supporting confidence and resilience through the Warrior Programme
View Project
Supporting children and young people through Out of School Adventures
View Project
Supporting recovery and confidence through the Military Recovery Programme
View Project
Enabling Army young people to shape the Forces Children’s Rights Charter
View Project