The Footprint Foundation below is a key example of a small but mighty foundation. With one employee – one! – it is now 100% mission aligned AND is bringing other foundations along for the ride.

Here’s to deep breaths and finding your bandwidth

–Elizabeth

Meet an Endowment Champion

At Work…

What finally inspired you to start aligning your endowment with your mission? I was new to the field and heard Peter Berliner of Mission Investors Exchange (MIE) speak about mission investing at a conference. I couldn’t shake the thought that 95% of a foundation’s corpus was not put to work. I thought it was a shame and a huge missed opportunity. It just didn’t make sense. Thankfully my trustees were interested in learning more.

What have been the biggest obstacles at your foundation for mission alignment? It took awhile to find a firm that was committed to impact/mission investing and could really demonstrate how values could be applied to investment opportunities. I think that might be a bit easier today than it was 10 years ago when we were just starting to make inquiries. I think the biggest challenge for our field is the value we place on financial returns. Of course, that’s where the traditional system puts the most value and it’s hard to unlearn the things we’ve been most accustomed to. But the field needs to think about social, environmental, and other returns as well. They are harder to measure but just as, if not more, important. At the very least we should not be doing harm with our capital, even better if we’re actually doing good with it – all of it.

How far along is your foundation in this journey? We’re 100% mission aligned!

What’s next in your mission alignment? We’re interested in place-based investing and want to invest our dollars locally. There are challenges in doing that as it’s harder to invest in Main Street than it is in Wall Street – the systems just aren’t in place to do that easily. We’ve been working with partners and foundations to test and create new systems that support local investing and create access to capital to those who typically haven’t had it. I’ve learned a lot from people I met in the BALLE (now Common Future) network – Deborah Frieze of Boston Impact Initiative, for example – and often circle back with them to brainstorm and get feedback.

What about perpetuity or spending/investing down? I wrestle with that question a lot. There are pros and cons to both. I am thankful that we’re doing some innovative and creative things with the foundation’s resources.

What’s the most convincing thing to get others on board? We work in a field that gives us a lot of leeway and flexibility. Ask yourself: Why wouldn’t I get on board? Is the traditional system working for everyone? Mission investing isn’t fringe anymore. The field has grown and proven that the financial returns are there – and there are other returns, too. Think of how much greater the impact if you used your “other 95%”. Win, win, win. What do you have to lose, really?

After Work…

Guilty pleasure: Black licorice and black jelly beans! And soft serve ice cream with jimmies/sprinkles.

Kickback film: Don’t have a specific film but I love period films and the quirky magic of Tim Burton’s movies.

Last series you binge-watched: The Bear

Favorite caffeine source: A dark roast, black or with a splash of almond or cashew milk

Sweet or salty: A mix of both!

Happy place: The woods

Animal friend(s): After losing both of my dogs last year (ouch), I recently adopted a 4 month old puppy from a rescue organization. She’s a lab mix. We named her Ruby (pictured above). She’s a sweetheart.

Childhood ambition: Math teacher

Biggest challenge: I’m a live-to-work kind of person and it’s really important to me to have fulfilling work. Sometimes it’s hard for me to step away from it and practice self care.

Soundtrack of your life: I’m a GenX’er and love music from the 80s, new wave and alternative rock in particular.

Music that lifts your spirits: I love all kinds of music. It really depends on the mood and if I need to be energized, surprised, or soothed.

Most unusual gift received: A piece of mixed-media art made in memory of my late mother. It was given to me as an oversized card but I had it framed – it was too special to put away in a memory box. So sweet, thoughtfully made, and unexpected. I’ll cherish it forever.

Last splurge: I’m transforming my yard into a kitchen garden and doing some foodscaping. It’s a big and exciting project. Long overdue!

Invest With Us

Premiums for the Planet is providing a revolutionary solution to a massive, hidden-in-plain-sight problem: The insurance industry has been inadvertently fueling climate change. By investing heavily in fossil fuels and underwriting projects that harm the environment, insurers are contributing to the very catastrophes your business dollars are paying them to mitigate. This not only exacerbates climate-related risks but also drives up insurance premiums for businesses, creating a vicious cycle.

But by leveraging the power of collective action, PFP is transforming the insurance industry from a climate change enabler to a catalyst for positive change. Their platform aggregates the insurance buying power of climate-conscious companies, enabling PFP to negotiate for more sustainable investment practices and underwriting standards on their behalf. This not only reduces environmental impact but also provides companies with enhanced brand value and equal or better insurance coverage at competitive rates. Through their  innovative model, they create a race to the top, incentivizing insurers to prioritize sustainability while delivering value to their customers. In essence, Premiums for the Planet is turning insurance into a force for good, driving systemic change and paving the way for a more sustainable future. And the best part? Unlike most sustainability initiatives, Premiums for the Planet doesn’t cost companies a dime beyond what they already spend on insurance.