Take a look back at what the Intentional Endowments Network accomplished last year through the 2021 IEN Impact Report. While we grapple with global challenges, the endowment community continues to advance sustainable investment practices and strategies.
In 2021 the Intentional Endowments Network (IEN) continued to advance its mission of supporting endowments in adopting and implementing mission-aligned, sustainable investing strategies. 2021 was a challenging year, with the prolonged impacts of the pandemic combined with the cumulative impacts of climate change, racial injustice,
and economic hardships for millions. Nevertheless, momentum continued to grow, with more members joining the Network and dozens of new policies and commitments announced by endowments of all types and sizes. This report lays out IEN network highlights and last year accomplishments.
Achievements At a Glance
- WE HELD 27 CONVENINGS FOR JOINT LEARNING
The 2021 Climate Action Pursuit co-hosted with Second Nature was one of our major convening. The Pursuit brought close to 800 people together over the course of four milestone events to support the process of earning, planning, acting and leading on climate justice on our campuses, in our communities and across our society and economy.
“I think my biggest takeaway is that you need to focus on small actions toward equity and inclusion while push for the big systematic change that is necessary. We should never lose sight of the changes we know need to happen to build a truly equitable campus and achieve the future we want to see.”
—2021 Climate Action Pursuit participant
- 1,260 LEADERS TOOK ACTION THIS YEAR
Leaders and stakeholders in the Higher Education, business and non-profit sectors in the Network took action this year. The report highlights 15 universities initiatives and commitments made in 2021.
“IEN has been instrumental in helping our institution realign its investing practices with our mission.”
—MOZAIK Philanthropy
- DEVELOPED 27 RESOURCES TO ADVANCE THE FIELD:
We shared 9 reports and articles, 18 blogs and 53 Newsletter with 3934 subscribers and observe about 52,000 website visitors.
“We used IEN’s materials extensively in assuring the donor of our intentions. Being a member of IEN and having Brown Advisory bean IEN partner was very valuable in this process.”
—Scott Miller, President,Virginia Wesleyan University
- COORDINATED 6 WORKING GROUPS AND INITIATIVES:
The Network planned, coordinated and pushed forward 6 key focus areas through its working groups and initiatives by creating the Net Zero Endowment Initiative, the Sustainable Retirement Initiate, Launched the racial equity webinar series, engage in shareholder activism and organised a student corporate engagement competition.
- 4 FOUNDATIONS, 29 COMPANIES AND 1 DONOR PROVIDED CORE FUNDING TO SUPPORT SUSTAINABLE INVESTING INITIATIVES IN 2021:
We are grateful for the engagement of its 200+ members and the funding support from Ford Foundation, Litterman Family Foundation, Rockefeller Brothers Fund, Neda Nobari, Mashouf and the Generation Foundation and 29 companies. As we look to 2022, the Network will continue to engage its members to control climate risks and mobilize capital for an equitable society.
Learn more about the network and become a member here