bcause impact
Impact investing within your foundation account
Donate first, invest optionally: With bcause Impact, charitable capital held in your foundation account can be invested with the aim of generating both financial returns and positive social and environmental impact.
You can decide which nonprofit organizations to support at a later stage, while potential investment returns may increase the funds available for future grants. All capital remains irrevocably committed to charitable purposes.
At a glance
What is bcause impact?
bcause Impact is the pooled investment portfolio of the charitable bcause trust foundation. Its purpose is to put charitable capital to work: generating potential returns for future grants while supporting positive social and environmental outcomes through the investments themselves.
The portfolio combines targeted investments in impact-driven companies and funds with broadly diversified, liquid assets. The aim is to balance long-term impact and financial returns with the need to keep capital available for charitable giving.
The Investment Approach
Impact and financial returns. One portfolio.
bcause Impact combines targeted impact investments with diversified assets designed to provide stability and liquidity. The pooled portfolio holds approximately 50 positions, ranging from impact funds and direct financing to sustainable ETFs and money market investments.
50 %
Investments in impact-driven companies and funds, including those focused on social innovation and mental health.
50 %
Diversified securities, money market investments and liquid assets to manage risk and help ensure capital remains available for future grants.
INSIDE THE PORTFOLIO
Where the Capital Is Invested
A selection of funds and investments through which bcause Impact finances companies, projects and infrastructure delivering positive social and environmental outcomes.
Venture Capital · Climate Technology
Invests in early-stage technology companies developing solutions to environmental challenges, from new materials to industrial decarbonization.
Impact Venture Capital · Social Innovation
Finances impact-driven businesses working across healthcare, education, climate and sustainable consumption.
Venture Capital · Impact-Driven Businesses
Backs high-growth companies addressing social and environmental challenges through scalable business models.
Infrastructure · Renewable Energy
Invests in wind and solar projects as well as electricity networks across Europe, combining investments in real energy infrastructure with a long-term investment approach.
HOW IT WORKS
Donate. Invest. Grant.
01
Charitable Contribution
Contribute to your digital foundation account and irrevocably commit the funds to charitable purposes. A donation receipt is issued.
02
Invest Optionally
Choose how much of your foundation account balance to allocate to the bcause Impact portfolio. Potential gains and losses are allocated proportionally to your account each month.
03
Support Non-Profits
Invested funds can be made available again for charitable grants. You decide which nonprofit organizations to support.
bcause Impact is available to Professional Foundation members. Your digital foundation account is held within the charitable bcause trust foundation, so there is no need to establish a separate foundation.
INVESTMENT TERMS
Returns, Liquidity and Transparency
bcause Impact follows a long-term investment approach aimed at generating financial returns for additional charitable grants. Return potential, investment risks and the availability of capital are considered together.
Returns and Performance
The portfolio targets a long-term net return of 4% per year. Since its launch in July 2025, it has generated a cumulative net total return of 6.66% through September 2026. Returns fluctuate, and past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results.
Liquidity
A portion of the portfolio is held in liquid assets. Transfers from the invested balance back to the available foundation account balance are subject to the applicable withdrawal conditions.
Fees
The annual management fee is 1% and is already reflected in the reported net performance. Additional cost components are explained in the investment documentation.
Taxes
The non-profit bcause trust foundation is exempt from capital gains tax (Kapitalertragssteuer). As a result, returns can be credited to the participating foundation accounts without deduction of capital gains tax.
Report
Q3 2026 Quarterly Report
Detailed information on portfolio composition, performance, and significant changes.
The annual management fee is 1% and is already reflected in the reported net performance. Additional cost components are explained in the investment documentation.
RESPONSIBILITY AND EXPERTISE
The People Behind the Portfolio
The portfolio is managed by bcause, with guidance from an investment advisory board bringing together expertise in asset management, foundations and sustainable finance.
Portfolio Management
Marvin Wiek
Head of Finance · bcause
As Head of Finance, Marvin oversees financial operations at bcause and manages the bcause Impact portfolio. Previously responsible for finance at Oxfam Germany, he has also supported several foundations in managing their assets.
Investment Advisory Board
Wiebke Merbeth
Partner · Monitor Deloitte
Wiebke is a sustainable finance expert with over 20 years of experience in the financial sector, including roles at HSBC and BayernLB. She previously served on the German government's Sustainable Finance Advisory Council and advises institutional investors on sustainable transformation.
Investment Advisory Board
Dr. Stefan Fritz
Dr. Stefan Fritz
Chief Financial Officer · Carl Friedrich von Siemens Foundation
A legal professional and recognized expert in foundation asset management and foundation law. Following positions in private banking and the management of church-affiliated foundations, Stefan became Chief Financial Officer of the Carl Friedrich von Siemens Foundation in 2025.
Investment Advisory Board
Christian Hammes
Founder and Managing Director · Eta Family Office
Christian specializes in strategic wealth management and risk management. Following senior roles in wealth management and family offices, he now advises families, foundations and institutional investors on investment strategy and asset allocation.
CONTACT AND RESOURCES
Learn More About bcause Impact
Have questions about the portfolio or how to participate? Our team is happy to help. You can also download the bcause Impact information document for a more detailed overview.
Marvin Wiek
Head of Finance · bcause
Get in touch
For questions about bcause Impact and participation through your foundation account.
Download Information Document
An overview of the investment approach, portfolio composition, return objectives, risks and investment terms.
Discover bcause impact in one of our webinars
In our regular webinars, we introduce the investment approach, share insights into the portfolio and answer your questions.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions about bcause Impact
What is bcause Impact and who can use it?
bcause Impact is the pooled investment portfolio of the charitable bcause trust foundation. Professional Foundation account holders can invest funds that have already been donated but not yet granted, with the aim of generating financial returns and positive social and environmental impact.
Personal assets cannot be invested directly. All capital remains irrevocably committed to charitable purposes.
Is bcause Impact an investment fund?
No. bcause Impact is not a standalone investment fund. It allows digital foundation accounts to participate in the investment portfolio of the charitable bcause trust foundation. Participating accounts share proportionally in the portfolio’s performance.
Do I need to establish my own foundation? How is this different from a traditional foundation?
No. A Professional Foundation is a digital foundation account held within the charitable bcause trust foundation. There is no need to establish a separate foundation.
Unlike traditional permanent foundations, which generally have to preserve their endowment capital, a Professional Foundation has no individually restricted permanent endowment. Both the original contributions and potential investment returns can be used for charitable grants.
How is bcause Impact different from sustainable ETFs?
Sustainable ETFs primarily invest in publicly traded securities selected according to sustainability criteria.
The Impact Core of bcause Impact includes targeted financing of impact-driven companies, funds and projects, including investments where new capital is directly provided. Sustainable ETFs are also part of the portfolio, primarily supporting diversification and liquidity.
What returns can I expect and what are the risks?
bcause Impact targets a long-term net return of 4% per year. This is an objective, not a guarantee. Actual performance depends on the underlying investments and market conditions.
Market fluctuations and investment losses may temporarily or permanently reduce the funds available for future charitable grants.
Can I access invested funds for charitable grants at any time?
You can request to transfer funds from bcause Impact back to your available foundation account balance at any time. Transfers are processed at the applicable monthly valuation.
Amounts in the six-figure range are generally available. For transfers of €1 million or more, bcause asks for prior coordination to ensure appropriate liquidity planning.
How are investment gains and losses allocated?
Ongoing investment income is credited proportionally to participating foundation accounts each month. Capital gains and losses are reflected in the value of each account’s participation and are realized when funds are transferred back to the available foundation account balance.
What fees apply?
bcause Impact charges an annual management fee of 1%, which is already reflected in the targeted net return. bcause does not charge additional transaction fees for participation in the portfolio.
A Professional Foundation membership is required, with an annual fee of €590. Additional costs may arise at the level of individual underlying investments.
What is the difference between bcause Impact and bcause grow?
bcause grow holds foundation account balances in interest-bearing, instant-access deposits. The interest rate follows the rate offered by the partner bank. It is available to all foundation accounts and is particularly suited to funds intended for near-term charitable grants.
bcause Impact follows a longer-term investment approach, combining impact investments with other asset classes. It is available to Professional Foundation account holders.
Can existing foundations or family offices participate in bcause Impact?
Yes. Charitable contributions from existing foundations, family offices and other donors can be made through a Professional Foundation, invested in bcause Impact and subsequently used for charitable grants.
However, the legally protected permanent endowment capital of existing foundations cannot currently be transferred into bcause Impact.
