In 2015, investors committed $15.2 billion to impact investments and planned to increase capital committed this year by 16%, the Global Impact Investing Network found in its sixth annual survey.
According to GIIN, impact investors make investments into companies, organizations and funds, aiming to generate measurable social and environmental impact alongside a financial return.
Last year, impact investors in the poll committed capital to 7,551 deals, and said they would commit capital to 11,722 deals in 2016.
GIIN's survey, which was conducted between December and February, included responses from 158 impact investment organizations, including fund managers, foundations, banks, development finance institutions, family offices, pension funds and insurance companies.
Forty-four percent were based in North America, 32% in Europe and 20% in emerging markets. Each respondent had committed $10 million in impact investments since its inception and/or had closed at least five impact investing transactions.
Respondents reported a variety of reasons for allocating capital to impact investments, the top three motivations being a commitment to responsible investment, a desire to meet impact goals and response to client demand.
At least half of investors in the poll said they targeted access to finance, employment generation and health improvement, education and income growth/livelihoods support.
