IFSL CAF ESG Funds
In partnership with CFSL, IFSL and abrdn
Risk warning
The value of investments, and the income from them, can go down as well as up and an investor may get back less than the amount invested. Past performance is not a guide to future results.
Why partner with us for your investments
CAF's subsidiary CFSL and its investment partners IFSL and abrdn have developed a suite of solutions that aims to meet charitable investors’ competing needs for:
- robust investment returns
- cost efficiency
- investing integrity
The aim is to help investors make the most of their investments, empowering them to fund the causes they are looking to support.
abrdn have been investing for charities and donors for over twenty years and through these new funds we are bringing together the global investment capability of abrdn with the charity expertise of CAF extending the existing relationship.
ESG is highly important to CAF and abrdn as both believe investing responsibly is key to delivering sustainable, long-term returns, as well as helping to address the challenges offered by the world today.
These funds are offered to you by CAF Financial Solutions Limited (CFSL) which is a subsidiary of the Charities Aid Foundation (registered charity number 268369).
What is the fund range and how does it work
There are three IFSL CAF ESG Funds, each of which targets a different level of risk and return.
All funds are actively managed by abrdn, which means that the investment manager decides which investments to buy or sell and when. They will have exposure to ESG focused investments through a broad range of asset classes and investments across different industries and geographical regions, however not all asset classes may be held at all times.
The funds are all designed to be robust and backed by a dynamic responsible investment policy designed to be right for now, and the future.
Investment approach video
Explore the IFSL CAF ESG Funds
For more information on the Funds please view the brochures in the 'Key documents' section below.
IFSL CAF ESG Cautious Fund - (Medium-low risk)
The fund aims to deliver, over any rolling 5 year period, an average of at least inflation plus 1.5% per annum. Estimated income range 1.5%-2.5% per annum.
IFSL CAF ESG Income & Growth Fund - (Medium risk)
The fund aims to deliver, over any rolling 5 year period, an average of at least inflation plus 3% per annum. Estimated income range 3%-4% per annum.
IFSL CAF ESG Growth Fund - (Medium-high risk)
The fund aims to deliver, over any rolling 5 year period, an average of at least inflation plus 4% per annum. Estimated income range 1.5%-2.5% per annum.
Fund overview video
How to invest
Please complete our online enquiry form to register your interest in any of our ESG funds. After the form is submitted a member of our team will be in touch to support you. If you do not need any support and are ready to invest then you can provide your instructions in the following ways.
Charitable organisations
New to IFSL CAF Funds
- You can download an application form from the IFSL website. This will need to be completed and sent to IFSL along with the required identification documents.
- The link to the IFSL site can also be found in the Key Documents section below.
An existing IFSL CAF investor
- You can switch some or all of your existing investment to your choice of IFSL CAF ESG Funds by completing a Switch and Conversion form and returning it to IFSL.
- The form can be found in the Application forms section of your chosen IFSL CAF ESG fund.
CAF Charitable Trust customers
New and existing investmentsYou can ask CAF to consider the investment of capital from your CAF Charitable Trust by contacting your Private Client Manager.
Sustainable investing
CFSL and abrdn believe the consideration of ESG factors results in more constructive engagement and better informed investment decisions – helping our clients achieve their financial objectives.
All three funds share a responsible investment selection process which consists of selecting assets that have a strong focus on Environmental, Social and Governance (“ESG”) considerations along with the potential to grow in value.
The funds do not to invest in companies that generate more than a defined percentage of revenue from the following activities:
- Tobacco, gambling services and armaments (military weapons and equipment) and civilian firearms – maximum of 5% of revenue.
- Pornography – maximum of 3% of revenue.
- Predatory lending, cluster munitions and landmines – 0% of revenue.
- Coal, unconventional oil or gas extraction (e.g. tar sands and shale), or coal power generation – maximum of 5% of revenue.
The investment team then uses the abrdn group’s own extensive analysis and data from an independent ESG ratings agency to select investments that contribute to an overall high quality ESG rating for each Fund. This enables the right focus on ESG areas such as, but not limited to, climate change, the environment, labour rights, human rights and corporate behaviour.
The aim is for each fund to achieve a high ESG score from an independent ESG ratings agency. MSCI is currently used for this assessment and a “high” ESG score should be considered as AA or AAA.
Full Responsible Investing policy is available below.
Sustainable investing
What we invest in today will determine the world we live in tomorrow.
ESG House score
The abrdn ESG house score is designed to shed light on a company’s management of ESG risks. We designed a proprietary ESG house score to supplement our existing analysis.
Active ownership
abrdn has elevated its sustainability efforts across the company. That’s because we believe the consideration of ESG factors results in more constructive engagement and better informed investment decisions – helping our clients achieve their financial objectives.
Responsible Investing Policy
The IFSL CAF ESG range seeks to invest in companies and assets that are supporting the solutions to these challenges and uphold the highest standards of corporate governance.
Key documents
CAF Financial Solutions Limited (CFSL) is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority under registration number 189450. CFSL Registered office is 25 Kings Hill Avenue, Kings Hill, West Malling, Kent ME19 4TA. Registered in England and Wales under number 2771873. CFSL is a subsidiary of Charities Aid Foundation (registered charity number 268369).
abrdn Capital Limited, registered in Scotland (SC317950) at 1 George Street, Edinburgh EH2 2LL. abrdn Capital Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
Investment Fund Services Limited (IFSL) is the Authorised Corporate Director (ACD) for the IFSL CAF Investment Funds. IFSL is registered in England No 06110770 and is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered office: Marlborough House, 59 Chorley New Road, Bolton, BL14QP.