How We Started Our Mission-Aligned Journey: Putting Our Money Where Our Mission Is

In recent years, mission-aligned investing has been a growing topic in the philanthropic community. However, it was at the 2015 PHILAnthropy Annual Conference that the Valentine Foundation board members first considered it seriously. Listening to another family foundation share how easily they had expanded the impact of their mission through strategic investments, we knew this was a direction worth exploring.

A Legacy Rooted in Change

The Valentine Foundation was founded in 1985 by Phoebe Valentine to support programs that create social change for women and girls. With a part-time executive director and a six-member voluntary board, our Foundation grants approximately $180,000 annually. While none of our board members are professional financial advisors, we work closely with a longstanding financial management company, led by a former trustee, to review our endowment’s portfolio. Together, we examine the performance of our equities, mutual funds, and cash holdings.

First Steps Toward Mission-Aligned Investing

By the fall of 2016, we realized that we could further align our financial assets with our mission. Our first step was simple but impactful: moving the Foundation’s 5% cash reserve from a large, prominent Wall Street bank to a local community bank. This shift not only allowed us to support local lending but also honored our commitment to empowering our local community. And because the credit union is a FICA-insured institution, this action carried very low risk.

Exploring Other Mission-Driven Investments

Inspired by this initial move, we began to consider other low-risk ways to use our cash. Although we wanted to avoid the volatility of the stock market, we were also cautious about locking up funds in a long-term CD. Around this time, we discovered an opportunity with Inter-faith Housing Alliance, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting individuals experiencing homelessness. They needed a loan to rehabilitate a property that would serve families in transition, and we were able to extend the support they needed.

Our Commitment to Mission-Driven Impact

This journey has been a rewarding expansion of our mission to advance social change for women and girls. By aligning our investments with our values, we continue to explore opportunities that not only further our financial goals but also empower the communities we serve.

We look forward to sharing more about our mission-aligned investment journey as we continue putting our money where our mission is.