We've had an eventful week with some great news to share! We've launched our Net Zero Endowments Roadmap, a resource for institutional investors keen on making and implementing a net zero commitment in their portfolio. We've also revealed the winners of the 2024 Student Corporate Engagement Challenge. Hampton University and the University of Southern California clinched the top spots in the graduate and undergraduate categories, respectively

In this week’s news, we invite you to join your peers at the Economist Impact's 4th annual Sustainability Week conference, Colorful Capital released a new report on the systemic risks of LGBTQIA+ inequities, NYU appoints a new CIO, and a responsible investment policy helps the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund orchestrate a turnaround.

In a new episode of Beyond Carbon, Chris Ito and Georges Dyer sit down with Heather Beatty, Founder of ScopeFourCapital. Beatty shares her journey in sustainable investing, her vision for ScopeFour Capital and the importance of focusing on scalable climate solutions beyond just renewables. Listen!

Please note that our offices will be closed on Monday, May 27 in observance of Memorial Day. 

In this week’s news, Minnesota will use a climate roadmap for state investments, CalPERS says it will vote against all ExxonMobil directors and its CEO, and a legal memo counters claims that considering climate risk violates fiduciary duty.

June 18, 2024 | 6 PM ET

Join us for a thought-provoking webinar, by the Belonging Collaborative, as we delve into the intersection of climate and racial justice. Investors are actively driving change by promoting diversity in asset management and pivotal decision-making positions, but the journey towards true climate and racial justice is far from over; it demands our immediate attention and concerted actions.

This crucial movement, pushing for equitable access to capital, diversity in asset management and decision-making roles within organizations, foundations, and endowments, not only sets the stage for social impact but also for financial success. However, we need to reflect on how our current practices may inadvertently perpetuate harm to BIPOC communities and explore how investment strategies can play a pivotal role in dismantling these destructive patterns and structures.

As we navigate the complexities of systemic racism, the racial wealth gap, and the disproportionate impacts of climate change on front-and fence-line communities, it becomes imperative to recognize, confront, and address these pressing issues head-on. How can we best identify and tackle these challenges?

During this Juneteenth season conversation, leaders from the Intentional Endowments Network and its esteemed partners will not only explore the above questions but also share ideas on how this network can effectively elevate the standards for endowments and foundations' racial equity efforts. Be part of this conversation that aims to drive tangible change within our current systems and advocates for the necessary transformations where the system falls short.

Recording:

How will the historic Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund impact public markets this year and beyond? Join our next climate solutions series with Sunwealth on May 22 at 1 pm ET to take a deep dive into investing at the intersection of climate and community via greenhouse gas reduction funds. Register now!

We’re excited to share our 2023 Impact Report, which summarizes our activities and achievements over the past year. The report highlights our convenings, resources developed, and the launch of IEN’s new initiative - the Endowment Impact Benchmark (EIB). 

In this week’s news, pension funds in Asia help to catalyze gender-lens investments, the McKnight Foundation explores how attacks on DEI can be countered, and the Financial Times explores the complicated relationship between American endowments and private equity. 

We’re a proud partner of the Impact Investor Global Summit, the leading conference for private market investors aimed at addressing the world's major social and environmental challenges through impact investing. Learn more and Join us Today!

In this week’s news, the SEC delays implementation of its climate disclosure rule, the University of Texas community pushes the school to consider social responsibility when investing, and SBTi announces its intention to extend the use of environmental attribute certificates for abatement purposes on Scope 3 emissions.

Trustees, investment committee members, and endowment representatives in the Boston area are invited to join our in-person Endowment Impact Benchmark workshop next Wednesday, May 15th at Amundi’s offices! Space is limited, so interested members of the Network are encouraged to reach out to a member of our team or respond to this email to RSVP.   

Also, partnership opportunities for the Endowment Impact Benchmark and our 10th Anniversary Gala are now available! Please contact Georges Dyer at [email protected] to become a sponsor.  

In this week’s news, the University of Pittsburgh publishes its most recent endowment ESG report, Schroders recaps a conversation with BlueMark on impact investing standards, and Georges Dyer provides insight into how endowments are structured for Vox.

Earlier this week, Hampton University, the University of Michigan, Central Washington University, and the University of Southern California were announced as the finalists of the 2024 Student Corporate Engagement Challenge. The winning teams will be revealed live on May 14 at 4 p.m. during the finalists’ presentations.  Register to join us for the final presentations and discover who will be the winner of this year's challenge. 

Also, the recording of the April installment of the Climate Solutions Investing Series featuring Terra Alpha Investments is now available for IEN Members to view.

In this week’s news, IDAC and IDiF announce a strategic partnership, University of Chicago alumni want the school's endowment to divest from fossil fuels, and anti-war protesters' calls for divestment at universities put a spotlight on endowments.

IEN is a proud partner of GreenFin 24 in New York City! Join us at the leading sustainable finance conference to learn about the latest ESG trends in finance and investing to accelerate climate strategy. Use the code GF24IEN to register at a 10% discount before rates increase on May 17

In this week’s news, Exxon’s board faces pressure from numerous shareholders, Louisiana State University lets oil firms influence research, and students at US universities file legal complaints over fossil fuel investments. 

We are excited to announce the results of the five-cohort Endowment Impact Benchmark pilot; you can read about the EIB in Chief Investment Officer, and read the results of the pilot on the EIB website. 

If your institution is interested in learning more or participating in the next EIB cohort, please reach out to Georges Dyer ([email protected]) and Nicole Torrico ([email protected]).

IEN Members, don’t forget to register for next week’s Climate Solutions Investing Series conversation with Terra Alpha Investments, who will explore the role of public companies in the energy transition. Register today!

In this week’s news, the HBCU Brilliance Fund is making the case for impact investing in HBCUs, Warren Wilson College engages with Lennar on emissions targets, and NYC pensions reach a climate disclosure deal with several major banks.

May 23 | 1:00 pm ET

In today's ever-evolving environment, mastering the nuances of transparency and disclosure is essential to upholding integrity and creating a meaningful impact in endowment management. The IEN JEDI Community Conversation, held as the ongoing demand for transparency transforms the landscape of endowment management in higher education, provided participants with the opportunity to learn how integrating Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) standards can evolve sustainable investing progress through the Endowment Impact Benchmark.

Call participants learned how to:

• Elevate their institution's impact
• Get valuable insights on improving sustainable investing policies
• Chart a course toward sustainability leadership

Recording

Slides

We’re delighted to host an information session on April 2nd at 1:00 p.m. ET on the Endowment Impact Benchmark (EIB), our new assessment and ratings framework for impact Investing recognition. Endowments and foundations are invited to register to learn more about the EIB, participation expectations, and its unique benefits. Register today!

The latest episode of Beyond Carbon is also available to stream. The winning graduate team from 2023’s Student Corporate Engagement Challenge sits down with Georges Dyer and Chris Ito to detail its investment pitch for First Solar and its groundbreaking thin-film cadmium telluride technology, offering a more sustainable alternative to traditional solar panels.

In this week’s news, Larry Fink releases his annual letter to investors (and Sierra Club releases a response), the Transition Pathway Centre assesses fossil fuel companies’ transition plans, and Dillard University releases its operational Carbon Neutrality Action Plan. 

As pressure mounts over the SEC's new climate disclosure rule, the Fifth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals temporarily halted its implementation. Meanwhile, industry experts suggest companies are likely prepared to comply with it. Read more insights on the rule in the "In Support of ESG" section.

IEN Members, remember to register for our March 2024 Climate Solutions Investing Series call with I Squared, on March 28 at 11 am ET! 

In this week’s news, Primestor goes big with its $150 million equity commitment project, Climate Finance Action releases its Investing in Our Future Guide, and Virginia Union receives a $40M investment to develop impact-focused real estate around the university. 

IEN is delighted to partner with NAIC to co-host the Institutional Investor Roadshow on Tuesday, April 30, at 11 am ET. We invite asset owners to sign up by completing this brief form to be matched for one-on-one meetings with investment-aligned managers.

Recordings of our past two Climate Solutions Investing calls are now available for IEN members to view. We’re also sharing recordings for the Endowment Impact Benchmark (EIB) information session for anyone interested in learning more about the EIB.

In this week’s news, AON shares its perspectives on the hidden truths of decarbonization, Wespath announces the expansion of its social values choice offerings, and Denmark’s P+ pension fund divests from oil and gas firms.

The Intentional Endowments Network (IEN) is pleased to host our Institutional Investor Roadshow with the National Association of Investment Companies (NAIC), on Tuesday, April 30^th, 2024, from 11 AM –2 PM EST.

The National Association of Investment Companies (NAIC) is the largest network of diverse-owned alternative investment firms. NAIC’s membership consists of over 190 firms representing over $405 billion in assets under management (AUM).

Through education, advocacy and industry events, the NAIC is focused on increasing the flow of capital to high-performing diverse investment managers often underutilized by institutional investors. Additionally, NAIC produces unique and compelling research on the performance of diverse managers and executes initiatives to strengthen and position the industry for future success.

We have provided an event agenda below. Attendees will learn about diverse manager performance, drawing on the NAIC’s most recent performance study, hear from others on asset allocation strategies and priorities and be matched for up to six (6) 15-minute one-on-one meetings with up to six diverse managers to build relationships.

NAIC Institutional Investor Roadshow

Host: The Intentional Endowments Network (IEN)
Date: Tuesday, April 30^th, 2024   Time: 11:00am – 2:00pm ET
General Session Zoom Link: Link will be sent ahead of the event

You can save your place for April 30^th by completing this Interest & Investment Criteria Survey which will be utilized to match you in one-on-one meetings with managers that align with your investment criteria.

We are looking forward to the next installment of our Climate Solutions Investing Series on March 28 at 11 a.m. ET! Infrastructure investing firm I Squared will join us to discuss the ways legislative and geopolitical action is driving renewable adoption. If you are an IEN Member, register to join the call!

In this week’s news, Proxy Preview 2024 is released, Yale commits $10 million to deepen partnerships with HBCUs, and BP’s carbon emissions rise. 

The Intentional Endowments Network (IEN) recently honored three sustainability champions for their contributions to climate justice and sustainable investing. Bhakti Mirchandani, Pedro Henriques da Silva, and Robert Litterman received the Awards in JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion) Investing, General Sustainable Investing, and Climate Investing Leadership categories, respectively. Awardees were recognized last month at IEN and Second Nature’s 2024 Higher Education Climate Leadership Summit.

The newly released SEC climate disclosure rule has been the focus in the sustainable investing space. We’ve included the rule and review statements from network members and partners under the 'In Support of ESG' section.

In this week’s news, Capricorn partners released a report to support foundation endowments in achieving greater impact, People’s Pension cuts the carbon footprint of its investments by 30%, and Brown University adds a ‘fossil fuel-free’ offering to faculty staff retirement plans.

When: April 2nd, 2024, 1:00 p.m. ET
Where: Virtually, via Zoom

This virtual information session provided background on the Endowment Impact Benchmark (EIB) -- an assessment and ratings framework that enables endowments and foundations to earn recognition for their commitment to sustainable and impact investing.

In 2023, IEN piloted the EIB with five leading endowments with assets under management ranging from $50 million to over $20 billion. In 2024, IEN will engage a second cohort of endowments and foundations to participate in the EIB, working with BlueMark to conduct the third-party verification process.

Participants learned more about the 2023 EIB pilot outcomes, delved into details on the assessment questionnaire participating endowments will complete in 2024 across four components: Strategy, Management, Governance and Transparency, discussed the timeline and expectations of participation, and learned more about the unique benefits of participation.

Recording:

To learn more about the Endowment Impact Benchmark, please contact Georges Dyer and Nicole Torrico at [email protected] and [email protected].

We are excited to share the summary of the impactful conversations that took place at the 2024 Higher Education Climate Leadership Summit. You can read the summary on our blog, which also includes the event album.

In this week’s news, the Climate Action 100+ responds to the departure of a number of high-profile members, Impact Engine closes its $85 million, second private equity fund, and CalSTRS publishes its 10th annual sustainability report.