Paradigm

Shifters

Unveiling, unpacking & unleashing foundation endowments

Edition #22

Winter solstice greetings,

Yes, this is the narcissistic issue. As Miss Piggy would say, this issue is about moi!

PHOTO:  Wearing my grandmother’s 100 year old bathing suit

It starts with this 4-minute film of audience feedback from the Environmental Film & Screenplay Festival about the 3-minute film I co-produced: “Dollars that Make Sense.” This film festival also bestowed us with awards for “Best Micro-Short” and “Best Music.”

And more about me…

Meet an Endowment Champion

Elizabeth Killough

Co-Executive Director, UnTours Foundation

Hal Taussig and Elizabeth showing off their neon yellow Wash Cylce Laundry hoodies they received as a gift.
PHOTO:  A precious and fun photo with Hal as we sport these wonderful gifts

At Work…

What finally inspired you to start aligning your endowment with your mission? I am merely a coattail’s rider. When I stepped into the UnTours Foundation over 20 years ago, it was already 100% mission aligned. Our founder, Hal Taussig (1924 – 2016), set the foundation in motion in 1992 using the full endowment as a revolving loan fund investing in really cool businesses addressing social and environmental issues. Hal and I had NO idea that he was performing  mission aligned investing (MAI) – there was no term or understanding of that concept then. But a dozen years ago, Laura Kind McKenna let us know about MAI, and told us to get out there and evangelize about it!  

What have been the biggest obstacles at your foundation for mission alignment? The low interest rates we charge on our loans do not cover our overhead and the technical assistance we offer. So, we have to fundraise, which takes time and effort.

How far along is your foundation in this journey? While we consider we are 100% mission aligned, there are always ways to raise the bar: how we source our supplies, switching to ever more progressive banks and credit unions, improving our due diligence related to both impact and financial performance, offering deeper reporting out on our impact – or lack thereof – etc.

What’s next in your mission alignment? We keep trying to inspire GuideStar and Charity Navigator to include endowments in their ratings. Foundations and all nonprofits can currently secure the highest rating on both sites and have all of their assets in armaments, tobacco, and oil. Yes, really!

What about perpetuity or spending/investing down? We are neither actually. We use our endowment to support world enhancing, problem-solver businesses AND to provide a model for other foundations to follow. We would like to grow our endowment to be an even more expansive model, and we’ll continue as long as we feel our work is impactful and inspiring. But I will say it…..many foundations are hoarding and not asking of themselves what they ask of all their grantees: How are you using all your assets at all times to fulfill your mission?  

What’s a favorite mission aligned investment of yours? (Did I really write this question? It’s mean!) I am wowed by all of our investees, but I do remain partial to Wash Cycle Laundry, a super green business that’s also a second chance employer.

Have you ventured into shareholder advocacy? How so?! Yes! We hadn’t owned any stock, but decided to buy some to try our hand in shareholder advocacy. Working with the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia (thanks to an intro by ImpactPHL), we did a shareholder resolution to remove PFAS from drinking water in 8 states. The company agreed and is on the path to PFAS-removal in 3 years. These resolutions are my newest favorite tool.  

What’s the most convincing thing to get others on board? Take a deep dive into your current portfolio looking through the lens of your mission. This inspires most to change. (We recommend the confidential Know-What-You-Own reports by Andorra.)

Elizabeth in a wetsuit cliff jumping into the ocean on an overcast day in England.
PHOTO:  Cliff jumping in England!

After Work…

Guilty pleasure: Equal Exchange Dark Chocolate Almond & Sea Salt

Kickback film: The Holdovers

Last series you binge-watched: Re-watched “Last Tango in Halifax”

Favorite caffeine sourceOrganic Assam Black tea by Young Mountain Tea  

Sweet or salty: Both! Note the chocolate bar above

Happy place: In any body of water, hot or cold

A favorite novel: Toss up between Cutting for Stone and The Goldfinch

Animal friends: All animals, said the vegan

Childhood ambition: Didn’t really have one and felt bad about that

Biggest challenge: Knowing when to speak up and when to keep quiet

Current pet peeve: Others taking up the whole sidewalk. And grammar…….don’t get me started!

Soundtrack of your life: The Broadway shows I went to sleep by as a tike

Music that lifts your spirits: Mary Chapin Carpenter, Jackson Browne, Gordon Lightfoot, and Mario Frangoulis to name a few  

Most unusual gift given: a stray cat

Most unusual gift received: a dumpster!

Last splurge: Ordering and eating every course at my favorite restaurant, Spring & Vine, plus ordering additional food to take home

Invest With Us

For as little as $250, you can join in an investment of ours in Young Mountain Tea. Learn about the crowdfunding raise.

Young Mountain Tea founder Raj Vable smiling while tasting tea with Indian tea farmers
PHOTO:  Young Mountain Tea founder Raj Vable tasting tea with Indian tea farmers