Over the past year, Metropolitan State University of Denver Foundation board members have engaged in a thoughtful and intentional education process focused on proactively aligning the Foundation’s investment strategy with the University’s core values as part of its diversity, equity and inclusion goals. The result is a new Investment Policy Statement, which will allow the Foundation to continue achieving investment–return goals while contributing meaningfully to the mission of the University.
“This IPS puts the Foundation in a position to align our investments in ways that are meaningful to our students and community,” said Lori Herrera, chief financial and operating officer of the MSU Denver Foundation and University Advancement. “Values-based investing is an opportunity to do our part in creating a job market that embraces our students and views them as valued employees and leaders.”
The Foundation will implement the updated IPS with the support of investment–management partner Syntrinsic, a Denver-based, employee-owned investment–advisory firm with $1.7 billion in assets under management for nonprofit organizations. Syntrinsic engages in an ethical, purpose-driven model for investing, using an environmental, social and governance lens to examine how corporations work on behalf of social goals beyond maximizing profits for shareholders.
“Syntrinsic’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion reflects MSU Denver’s values,” said Herrera. “We believe they are the right partner for the Foundation to guide us in making values-aligned investments.”
Foundation Treasurer Marti Awad, J.D., said that the board recognizes the importance of expressing the values of the University and Foundation at every level of the organization, including its investments.
“With this change, we can do the right thing without sacrificing returns,” said Awad. “In fact, by utilizing an ESG (environmental, social and governance) lens and focusing on diversity and inclusion, returns should exceed the traditional portfolio over the long term.
“Those of us who are part of the Foundation firmly believe we can ‘do well and do good.’”
For more information, contact Lori Herrera, chief financial and operating officer, University Advancement.