| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 67.34 |
| Liaison | Jennifer Andrews |
| Submission Date | July 29, 2014 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
University of New Hampshire
PA-14: Sustainable Investment
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
0.47 / 4.00 |
Deborah
Dutton Vice President Advancement |
Total value of the investment pool:
Value of holdings in each of the following categories::
| Value of Holdings | |
| Sustainable industries (e.g. renewable energy or sustainable forestry) | 0 US/Canadian $ |
| Businesses selected for exemplary sustainability performance (e.g. using criteria specified in a sustainable investment policy) | 0 US/Canadian $ |
| Sustainability investment funds (e.g. a renewable energy or impact investment fund) | 3,462,804 US/Canadian $ |
| Community development financial institutions (CDFIs) or the equivalent | 0 US/Canadian $ |
| Socially responsible mutual funds with positive screens (or the equivalent) | 0 US/Canadian $ |
| Green revolving loan funds that are funded from the endowment | --- |
A brief description of the companies, funds, and/or institutions referenced above:
As of July 2009, part of UNHF’s endowment is being invested in Vanguard Energy Fund Investor Shares, which invests in common stocks of U.S. and foreign companies engaged in the production, transmission, control, or research of energy sources, including newer sources such as geothermal, nuclear, and solar.
Does the institution have a publicly available sustainable investment policy?:
A copy of the sustainable investment policy:
The sustainable investment policy:
In 2014, the UNH Foundation will be launching a sustainability sleeve into which donors can choose to have their funds invested.
Guidelines for Sustainable Investment Sleeve
A key responsibility of the UNH Foundation board is to optimize the financial return of gifts made to the University, in both short and long term horizons, in order to advance the long-term financial interests of the University and support its mission. This remains a primary tenant for the creation and management of the University’s sustainable investment sleeve option.
Key Guidelines
In evaluating potential investment selections for the sustainable investment sleeve, the Foundation will look for:
• Demonstrated returns that are substantially similar to the equivalent investment fund/index in the Foundation’s existing endowment pool.
• Investment funds that are sensitive towards using environmental, social and governance (ESG) in their investment analysis and security selections.
Does the institution use its sustainable investment policy to select and guide investment managers?:
A brief description of how the policy is applied, including recent examples:
The UNH Foundation will be working with its fund managers to develop the sustainability sleeve in 2014, and examples will be forthcoming.
Does the institution's sustainable investment policy include negative screens?:
A brief description of the negative screens and how they have been implemented:
Approximate percentage of the endowment that the negative screens apply to:
Has the institution engaged in proxy voting, either by its CIR or other committee or through the use of guidelines, to promote sustainability during the previous three years?:
A copy of the proxy voting guidelines or proxy record:
A brief description of how managers are adhering to proxy voting guidelines:
The UNH Foundation Board of Directors does not have the ability to vote proxies.
Has the institution filed or co-filed one or more shareholder resolutions that address sustainability or submitted one or more letters about social or environmental responsibility to a company in which it holds investments during the previous three years?:
Examples of how the institution has engaged with corporations in its portfolio about sustainability issues during the previous three years:
In early 2008, the UNH Foundation Board sent a letter to all investment managers used by the university stating that UNH has deep concerns over the atrocities occurring in the Darfur region of Sudan and requested that UNH investment funds not be directed to any company that directly or indirectly supports Sudan. The letter included a UNH student body suggestion that the investment firms use www.SudanDivestment.org as a guide for selecting companies in which to invest (http://www.seacoastonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080218/NEWS/802180325/-1/
PUBLICRECORDS05).
UNH and the UNH Foundation continually explore investments in areas like renewable energy and community development in partnership with the UNHF Board of Directors and UNHF’s fund managers.
Does the institution engage in policy advocacy by participating in investor networks and/or engaging in inter-organizational collaborations to share best practices?:
A brief description of the investor networks and/or collaborations:
The UNH Foundation will be participating in Second Nature's Intentionally Designed Endowment Conference April 3-4 2014 in Boston, MA.
The website URL where information about the institution's sustainable investment efforts is available:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
UNH Foundation endowment value as of 12/31/2013 = $163,378,503
Vanguard Energy Fund value as of 12/31/2013 = $3,462,804
UNH Foundation endowment value as of 12/31/2013 = $163,378,503
Vanguard Energy Fund value as of 12/31/2013 = $3,462,804
The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.