Lender delivers four times return in social value on investment
A non-profit financial lender which specialises in lending to community groups, charities, sports clubs, and social enterprises, has announced that it delivered a social value worth an over 400% return on investment in 2025.
In its latest Social Return on Investment (SROI) analysis, Community Finance Ireland (CFI) found that for every €1 invested in 2025, it delivered €4.63 worth of social value.
Social value captures the real difference an investment makes in people’s lives and communities. It reflects the wider social, economic, and environmental benefits created beyond financial return.
The report was produced by Rose Regeneration in collaboration with CFI. It drew on desk research, stakeholder interviews with supported organisations in 2025, and the Social Value Engine, an established tool used by over 150 organisations across Ireland to measure and quantify social impact.
The report highlighted social impacts under a number of metrics, including helping to improve the health and wellbeing of local people and communities, and promoting increased social connection engagement among young people.
It also highlighted the support provided for economic growth with small businesses and social enterprises, and the facilitation of improved learning and training opportunities made available.
A number of the impacts were also measured against UN Sustainable Development Goals, including good health and wellbeing, industry, innovation and infrastructure, decent work and economic growth, peace, justice and strong institutions, and climate action and sustainable cities and communities.
A spokesperson for CFI said the findings underscore the significant and measurable impact of CFI’s work at grassroots level with volunteer-led community organisations, clubs, charities and social enterprises in local communities in Cork and across the island.
David Traynor, CEO of Community Finance Ireland said: “The result of this analysis reflects what we consistently hear from our clients, which is that, with the support of social finance, they are able to make significant strides forward and invest in enhancements, projects, and initiatives that would not otherwise be possible.”
Conor McGale of Rose Regeneration said: “The social value return on investment tells a powerful story about the tangible difference CFI is making in communities across the island. It provides a robust way of capturing real quality of life impacts across a range of measures, from health and wellbeing to social connection, economic growth, and access to learning and training,” he said.