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CIFF Governance, Finance & Compliance

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ciff.org·ciff.org/about-us/governance/

This is the governance page for the Children's Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF), a major philanthropic organization. While not directly AI safety focused, CIFF funds climate and development initiatives and represents a significant philanthropic governance model relevant to understanding large-scale charitable funding structures.

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Summary

This page describes the governance structure of the Children's Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF), a $6.1 billion endowment charity founded by Sir Chris Hohn. It outlines the Board of Trustees' responsibilities, investment approach, risk management policies, and programme governance through independent committees.

Key Points

  • •CIFF is a privately funded charity regulated by the Charity Commission of England & Wales with a $6.1 billion endowment as of 2025.
  • •The Board of Trustees oversees strategy, grant-making, governance, risk, financial management, and endowment investment performance.
  • •Investment approach targets inflation-adjusted returns of at least 6% per year, with exclusions for arms, tobacco, fossil fuels, and breast milk substitutes.
  • •Endowment is managed by The Children's Investment Fund Management (TCI) with oversight from an independent Finance, Audit and Investments Committee.
  • •Two independent Programme Investment Committees comprised of external experts strengthen charitable programming governance.

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Finance, compliance & governance

 CIFF’s robust approach to governance ensures that compliance and financial security underpin everything we do.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 On this page 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 
 
 
 
 Introduction

 CIFF is a privately funded charity regulated by the Charity Commission of England & Wales. We are governed by our Board of Trustees and led by our charitable objectives, improving the world for children. Wherever we work, we abide by all relevant laws and regulations.

 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 2002 

 Year founded
 
 
 
 
 
 $6.1 billion 

 Size of endowment as of 2025
 
 
 
 
 
 5 

 Number of offices
 
 
 
 
 
 200+ 

 Number of staff
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 
 
 
 CIFF’s Board

 CIFF is led by our expert Board of Trustees who are committed to building a better world for children. The trustees are responsible for the oversight and governance of CIFF. They review and update strategy and areas of activity, including considerations of grant making, governance, risk and financial management, and endowment investment performance.

 Our trustees:

 
 Chris Hohn – CIFF’s Founder and Chair

 Ana Marshall

 Ben Goldsmith

 Marko Lehtimaki

 Masroor Siddiqui

 

 
 
 
 
 

 

 
 
 
 
 About Sir Chris Hohn

 Sir Chris Hohn is a committed philanthropist and successful hedge fund manager. He is considered one of the most generous people in Britain, frequently leading The Sunday Times Giving List. 

 Sir Chris is both the founder and the chair of CIFF. 

 
 
 
 
 “ The 'why' of philanthropy is simple – every child deserves to be healthy and happy. I stay motivated because it brings me a huge amount of joy to see children flourish."

 
 
 
 Sir Chris Hohn 
 
 Founder and Chair 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 
 
 
 
 CIFF’s endowment

 Over the past decade, CIFF’s endowment has grown to $6.1 billion after charitable activities and costs. The security and resources provided by this endowment uniquely position CIFF to make long-term investments in the interests of children worldwide.

 Determined by the Board of Trustees, with advice and review from the Finance, Audit and Investments Committee, our investment approach seeks an inflation-adjusted return of at least 6% per year over a 10-year rolling period, maintains appropriate liquidity and risk controls, and allows selective illiquid investments with high return potential.

 Our portfolio is diversified across asset classes and sectors, with exclusions for investments in arms, tobacco, fossil fuels and breast milk substitutes.

 The endowment investments are managed by The Children’s Investment Fund Management (TCI) in accordance with arrangements approved by the Board of Trustees, in line with Charity Commission guidance. The Finance, Audit and Investments Committee provides strategic oversight and review over these arrangements, while operational oversight is provided by an independent board made up of professionals from the asset management sector.

 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 
 
 
 
 Operational an

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