Charity investment is a responsible business - judging how much to spend and how much to keep for the future is enough to keep you awake long into the night.

The first instinct of charities is to keep its money safe, spend with circumspection and ensure there is plenty in the coffers for a rainy day. A natural and vigilant approach but one that author - James Brooke Turner, Investment Director at the Nuffield Foundation - turns on its head.

In his innovative new book, he challenges conventional charity investment practice. Being over-protective of the capital, he argues, can thwart a charities spending plans and its ultimate mission, whereas the more a charity spends the more it can make a difference. Recognising the potential of investments and thinking clearly about financial goals frees charities to do more of what they are there for and that is to increase help to beneficiaries.

This is not a book for investment technicians; it is not a step-by-step how to invest book (there are plenty of those), but is based on sound general investment principles and will help ensure you make sound and well-informed investment decisions.

It covers:

Financial objectives and goals The investment market Spending policies Investment strategy Reserves policy The law and governance Responsible investing Investment in practice Performance management

This book is for anybody with responsibility for handling a charity's investments including trustees, CEOs and staff involved with their charity's financial strategy. No prior investing knowledge is assumed. Whatever the size of your charity, if you already have investments or are considering moving into this area, this book offers straightforward, pragmatic principles that you can put to use.