Start Now, Stop Climate Change: Leveraging Foundation Portfolios to Impact the Environment

As the climate crisis continues to accelerate and reach the forefront of our global conversation due to headline-dominating wildfires and ever more frequent hurricanes, many members of the philanthropic community have leveraged their grantmaking to support environmental stewardship. To maximize impact, funders are looking beyond their grantmaking and considering how to leverage the entirety of their philanthropic assets to combat the most damaging impacts of climate change.

In this discussion, Mark Hays will share the outcome of Glenmede’s research on incorporating climate change analysis into the asset allocation process. Additionally, John Church will illustrate how he has worked with investment committees toward addressing environmental objectives across asset classes in foundation portfolios. Through this conversation, we will seek to answer questions including:

1. How has the growing availability of climate risk data and analytical tools impacted a foundation’s ability to align their portfolio with environmental goals?
2. How can foundation investors leverage their investments to influence the environmental practices of publicly-traded companies?
3. How can foundations align their portfolio with environmental goals and still seek to achieve a competitive risk-adjusted return?

Though guided by a brief presentation, this session will provide a truly open forum during which participants can actively engage in discussion and Q&A. Registrants are highly encouraged to ask questions in advance and to arrive with any items they would like to discuss.

A recording of this program will be available to those who register.