The network works with and through the many organizations and initiatives in the investment and higher education sectors doing excellent work to promote sustainability in various ways. Highlights of specific partnerships and collaborations include:
Initiatives:
Climate Solutions Investment Initiative (CSII)
An investor-led collaboration supported by Ceres, ICCR, and IEN to advance learning and action by investors on opportunities to invest in climate solutions across asset classes and strategies
Sustainable Retirements: Integrating ESG Options into Higher Education Retirement Plans
IEN’s Sustainable Retirements Initiative aims to identify the barriers that must be addressed in order for institutions to provide retirement options that take material ESG factors into account and align with institutional sustainability goals.
The SIILK Network
The SIILK Network (Sustainable & Impact Investing Learning & Knowledge) is a peer learning network of students, faculty, and staff that are involved in the management and development of student-managed investment funds, as well as the teaching and development of sustainable investing curriculum. SIILK participants connect to share best practices and resources to advance sustainable investing strategies in student-managed funds and curricula.
The SRI Conference Scholarship
IEN and the Crane Institute are pleased to support and help administer The SRI Conference Scholarship. The scholarship was started and is coordinated by a group of First Affirmative Financial Network alumni and longtime affiliates, with the goal of offering full scholarships to a diverse group of qualified students and young professionals who are interested in a career as a sustainable investment professional.
Partnerships:
US Impact Investing Alliance Industry Advisory Council (IAC)
IEN is a member of the IAC, which brings together existing networks within the U.S. impact investing ecosystem to interact with and help shape the work of the U.S. Impact Investing Alliance and help catalyze market growth.
Second Nature
IEN works closely with Second Nature on range of activities, most notably in co-hosting the annual Higher Education Climate Leadership Summit. Second Nature is the coordinating body for the Presidents' Climate Leadership Commitments - a network of over 500 colleges and universities committed to achieving climate neutrality in campus operations and implementing comprehensive climate action and/or climate resilience plans.
HBCU Green Fund
IEN has joined forces with the HBCU Green Fund to launch an initiative aimed at improving endowment investment decision-making in higher education to better incorporate factors related to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). The central driving force of this initiative is a high-level Working Group of senior leaders from higher education, the investment industry, foundations, and nonprofit partners.
The Investor Agenda
Announced as part of the 2018 PRI in Person and the Global Climate Action Summit, this collaborative initiative seeks to support the goals of the 2015 Paris Climate Change Agreement by providing a way for investors to report, accelerate and scale-up their actions. With nearly 400 investors with $32 trillion in assets collectively under management, its launch demonstrates significant momentum in the transition to a low-carbon economy.
IEN Events
IEN partners with campuses, firms, and other organizations to co-host its events.
To get involved with the Intentional Endowments Network, please contact [email protected]. There are many ways to participate, including hosting a meeting or forum, subscribing to our newsletters, sharing resources, and contributing expertise. Reach out to find out how we can collaborate!