Investment & Finance
Introduction
Collectively, colleges and universities invest hundreds of billions of dollars. Like other decisions that institutions make, these investments have impacts that are both local and global in scope. Institutions with transparent and democratic investment processes promote accountability and engagement by the campus and community. By using the tools of sustainable investing, institutions can improve the long-term health of their endowments, encourage better corporate behavior, support innovation in sustainable products and services, support sustainability in their community, and help build a more just and sustainable financial system.
Featured Resources
New Resources
Sustainability Policies and Plans in Higher Education: Recommendations for Florida State University
- Florida State University (FL)
This capstone project examines how higher education institutions (HEIs) use policies and plans to institutionalize their commitments to sustainability and the key success factors that influence their implementation. A systematic ...
- Posted Nov. 10, 2022
- Publications
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Alternative Energy Initiatives
- University of Idaho (ID)
This $1.75 per full time student, per semester fee provides funding to innovative student-led campus projects relating to alternative energy and green infrastructure to further the university's goal ...
- Posted Aug. 15, 2022
- Green Funds
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Support for Strategic Initiatives
- Middlebury College (VT)
The Provost has funds available to support initiatives that further Middlebury’s strategy. The Provost’s Academic Council (PAC) makes decisions about which ideas to pursue and prioritize, consulting regularly ...
- Posted Aug. 15, 2022
- Green Funds
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Charity fundraising basketball game to support the underprivileged
- National Tsing Hua University
NTHU partners with local businesses to host charity basketball tournament to raise funds for scholarships for economically disadvantaged students.
- Posted Aug. 8, 2022
- Photographs
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Successful alumni donate to remediate representative school lakes
- National Tsing Hua University
The most representative lake on campus needs remediation, and successful alumni donated funds.
- Posted Aug. 8, 2022
- Photographs
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Sustainable Investments Concordia University
- Concordia University (QC)
Concordia's GM and MB buildings where business courses such as courses on sustainable investing are taught.
- Posted Aug. 4, 2022
- Photographs
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Concentration in Sustainable Investing
- Bentley University (MA)
Finance majors have the option of a concentration in Sustainable Investing and all majors are eligible for a sustainable investing minor. Students graduating from this curriculum will have knowledge in ...
- Posted June 10, 2022
- Academic Programs
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Minor in Sustainable Investing
- Bentley University (MA)
Finance majors have the option of a concentration in Sustainable Investing and all majors are eligible for a sustainable investing minor. Students graduating from this curriculum will have knowledge in ...
- Posted June 10, 2022
- Academic Programs
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Katz Graduate Certificate in Sustainability
- University of Pittsburgh (PA)
Any Katz MBA student is eligible to pursue the Katz Graduate Certificate in Sustainability in addition to their declared degree program. This 10.5 credit certificate guides students to act ...
- Posted June 10, 2022
- Academic Programs
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Green Revolving Loan Fund
- Weber State University (UT)
In 2010, Weber State University created a $5 million revolving loan fund to finance energy efficiency projects, water conservation projects, and renewable energy projects. Money is borrowed from this fund ...
- Posted May 20, 2022
- Green Funds
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Climate Action Commitment Roadshow Series
- Virginia Tech (VA)
Virginia Tech recently approved a revised version of the Climate Action Commitment. To educate the campus community about it, our Climate Action, Sustainability, and Energy (CASE) Office went on a ...
- Posted May 19, 2022
- Case Studies
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Can student managed investment funds (SMIFs) narrow the environmental, social and governance (ESG) skills gap?
- Queen's University (ON)
- Memorial University of Newfoundland (NL)
The purpose of this paper is twofold. First, it endeavors to document the current state of environmental, social and governance (ESG) pedagogy within undergraduate finance courses of business schools, and ...
- Posted May 11, 2022
- Publications
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The nexus between stakeholders’ materiality and sustainable development goals: evidence from higher education institutions
- Yildiz Technical University
The purpose of this study is to shed light on the association between stakeholders’ materiality and the sustainable development goals (SDGs), highlighting how higher education institutions (HEIs) can pursue sustainable ...
- Posted May 11, 2022
- Publications
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Pathways to eliminate carbon emissions via renewable energy investments at higher education institutions
- Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, Newark Campus (NJ)
Higher education institutions are among the many public and private sector entities that have committed to long-term sustainability goals in response to the threat of climate change. A key challenge ...
- Posted May 11, 2022
- Publications
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Green Fund for UofL
- University of Louisville (KY)
The UofL Green Fund provides the seed money to help start and advance campus sustainability initiatives and pilot projects for which additional financial support will be required. Anyone who has ...
- Posted April 8, 2022
- Green Funds
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Energy Efficiency Reserve
- Washington University in St. Louis (MO)
Consistent with the intent of the Missouri Energy Efficiency Investment Act (MEEIA) and Ameren’s BizSavers program, Washington University’s Energy Efficiency Reserve provides a dedicated funding source for energy ...
- Posted April 8, 2022
- Green Funds
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Green Initiatives Fund
- Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering (MA)
Established as their senior class gift, the members of the Class of 2007 presented this endowment to fund green initiatives at Olin. The annual payout made available for distribution from ...
- Posted April 1, 2022
- Green Funds
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Student Green Energy Fund
- University of South Florida (FL)
The Student Green Energy Fund was launched in 2011 to support the University of South Florida's commitment to reduce and eventually eliminate greenhouse gas emissions from the Tampa campus ...
- Posted April 1, 2022
- Green Funds
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Campus Sustainability Student Projects Fund [CSSPF]
- Michigan State University (MI)
The CSSPF supports selected student-driven, staff-supported sustainability projects such as pollinator gardens, green walls and roofs, tree plantings, renewable energy demonstrations, sustainable art projects, and more. The fund was established ...
- Posted April 1, 2022
- Green Funds
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ÉTS Student Association Sustainable Development Fund (FDDAÉÉTS)
- Ecole de Technologie Superieure (QC)
The objective of the FDDAÉTS is to contribute to the financing of projects carried out by members of the ÉTS community that promote the integration and application of the principles ...
- Posted March 31, 2022
- Green Funds
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Green Fund Program
- Carleton University (ON)
The major $1 million Green Revolving Fund (GRF) provides capital for high performance campus design, operations, maintenance, and occupant behavior projects. The micro Green Engagement Fund (GEF) provides capital limited ...
- Posted March 31, 2022
- Green Funds
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Sustainable Initiatives Fund (SIF)
- Mohawk College (ON)
The Sustainable Initiatives Fund is an ancillary-fee based project fund which is jointly administed by the Sustainability Office and the Mohawk Students' Association. 4$ is collected each semester from every ...
- Posted March 10, 2022
- Green Funds
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Student Sustainability Fund
- University of Maryland, College Park (MD)
The Student Sustainability Fund supports student, staff, and faculty proposals that improve the environmental performance of campus, create opportunities for student engagement with sustainability, and/or are research proposals that ...
- Posted March 10, 2022
- Green Funds
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Educating the Next Generation of Sustainable Investment Leaders: A Report on the State of the Field of Student-Managed Investment Funds
- Intentional Endowments Network (MA)
This report compiles information on the 40 sustainably invested student-managed investment funds engaged in the Intentional Endowment Network's Sustainable and Impact Investing Learning & Knowledge (SIILK) Network. It highlights ...
- Posted March 10, 2022
- Publications
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Sustainability Engagement & Enrichment Development (S.E.E.D.) Fund
- University of Massachusetts Lowell (MA)
UMass Lowell’s S.E.E.D. Fund provides funding for projects that promote environmental sustainability and positively impact and enhance the student experience at the university. The S.E ...
- Posted Feb. 24, 2022
- Green Funds
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Green Revolving Fund
- University of Dayton (OH)
The UD Green Revolving Fund is a revolving loan fund that sponsors energy efficiency and other sustainability projects on campus. Generally these projects have a 7-year or less simple payback ...
- Posted Feb. 24, 2022
- Green Funds
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Sustainability Fund
- Prescott College (AZ)
Students pay $50 per semester as a fee which contributes to the Sustainability Fund. Originally, this fee was voluntarily created by students for the purpose of pooling resources that are ...
- Posted Feb. 24, 2022
- Green Funds
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Green Initiative Competition
- University of Miami (FL)
The Green Initiative Competition was launched by the Student Government ECO Agency to incentivize sustainability innovation among students. The prizes are funded by ECO. In 2008, UM students decided to ...
- Posted Feb. 4, 2022
- Green Funds
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Learned Lessons and Tips for GRITS and Green Revolving Funds
- Bentley University (MA)
- Champlain College (VT)
- Denison University (OH)
- Sustainable Endowments Institute (MA)
- AASHE (PA)
- GreenerU (MA)
In this session, you will hear from a wide variety of users of Green Revolving Funds and the GRITS tool sharing both best practices and learned lessons. We will also ...
- Posted Feb. 1, 2022
- Videos & Webinars
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Campus as a Laboratory for Sustainability Funding
- Syracuse University (NY)
The Syracuse University Campus as a Laboratory for Sustainability (CALS) program is offering up to $75,000 for faculty or student projects that advance the University’s goals of reducing ...
- Posted Jan. 28, 2022
- Green Funds
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Sustainable Advancements Funding Endeavor (S.A.F.E.)
- Southwestern University (TX)
Sustainable Advancements Funding Endeavor (S.A.F.E.) projects can be proposed by students, faculty, and staff, with priority given to student proposals and to projects having no other funding ...
- Posted Jan. 28, 2022
- Green Funds
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Fund Strategies to Develop the Most Spectacular Projects Possible
- McGill University (QC)
Campus sustainability fund managers have myriad opportunities to stimulate, encourage, and develop more robust and impactful project proposals. The Sustainability Projects Fund at McGill University is a vibrant example of ...
- Posted Jan. 21, 2022
- Conference Presentations
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Transportation Demand Management: Arguments for the Diversification of Mobility
- University of Southern Maine (ME)
The statement "we have a parking problem" is all too common on University campuses. However, parking is usually not the root problem. The root problem is the transportation ecosystem serving ...
- Posted Jan. 21, 2022
- Conference Presentations
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Making "Cents" of Green Funds: How to Start One, Keep It Going, and Innovate
- George Mason University (VA)
- Hanover College (IN)
- University of Wisconsin-Madison (WI)
Let's put some "FUN" in "green fund!" Come ready to explore best practices for managing a university green fund, how to engage community partners in green fund projects, and ...
- Posted Jan. 21, 2022
- Conference Presentations
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Taking Action on Sustainability Commitments Using IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service)
- Clemson University (SC)
- Duke Energy (NC)
The future will require ingenuity and innovation as well as capital to move the needle on sustainability commitments. The past decade has clearly demonstrated that our previous capitalization and decision-making ...
- Posted Jan. 21, 2022
- Conference Presentations
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Influencing Sustainability Decision-Making: A "Simple" Triple Bottom Line Cost Benefit Analysis Tool
- Ohio University (OH)
Making the business case argument for sustainability initiatives can be the most difficult part of a sustainability leader's job. A group of faculty, staff and students at Ohio University ...
- Posted Jan. 21, 2022
- Conference Presentations
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Learning How to Move Corporations on Climate and Racial Justice
- Ceres (MA)
- Intentional Endowments Network (MA)
- As You Sow (CA)
SEC Commissioner Allison Lee recently shared with the corporate community that "A study from 2018 .. showed that 71 of the top 100 revenue generators globally were corporations while only 29 ...
- Posted Jan. 21, 2022
- Conference Presentations
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Electrification, Distributed Energy Solutions and Campus Economics - Re-Targeting Our Commitments!
- Clemson University (SC)
- Davidson College (NC)
- Duke Energy (NC)
The future is.... all about ELECTRIFICATION, DISTRIBUTED ENERGY SOLUTIONS AND CAMPUS ECONOMICS. As we re-evaluate our commitments to sustainability, we must turn from broad goals to actionable strategies to make ...
- Posted Jan. 21, 2022
- Conference Presentations
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Take Advantage of 179D Government Program for Energy/Savings in Public Campuses
- Efficiency Energy LLC (CO)
Federal legislation passed in 2021 a permanent tax benefit called 179D that reimburses for a portion of the square footage when one builds in energy efficiency. Your campus should take ...
- Posted Jan. 21, 2022
- Conference Presentations
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20 Paths to a Living Wage Policy: Is Fair Employment in Your Institution's Future?
- Saint Joseph's University (PA)
Raising the federal minimum wage has been discussed by the Biden administration and a living wage is receiving increased attention by public, media, employers, and employees. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic ...
- Posted Jan. 21, 2022
- Conference Presentations
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Smart Campus Group
- Universidad San Francisco de Quito (Pichincha)
In 2020 through the creation of the Smart Campus Group an initial fund was enabled through the Dean of Research to sponsor campus sustainability projects. The projects where proposed by ...
- Posted Jan. 13, 2022
- Green Funds
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FEAST Fund
- Butler University (IN)
Food Enterprises Achieve Sustainability Together- FEAST Fund supported by Bon Appetit, Butler's food service provider:
This fund allow Butler University and Bon Appetit to achieve our shared sustainability goals ...
- Posted Jan. 5, 2022
- Green Funds
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Green Fund
- Colorado School of Mines (CO)
The goal of the Mines Green Fund is to empower students to take an active role in making Mines a leader in sustainability. The Sustainability Office will provide funding for ...
- Posted Jan. 3, 2022
- Green Funds
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Gustavus Coca-Cola Educational Partnership Grants Program
- Gustavus Adolphus College (MN)
Yearly funding is available for projects initiated by departments, programs, campus-wide initiatives or advocacy groups that focus on enhancing sustainability and community health. Sustainability projects have included developing and enhancing ...
- Posted Dec. 9, 2021
- Green Funds
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Green Fund
- University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (WI)
$12/ year of student segregated fees is allocated to funding sustainable initiatives on our UWSP campus and field stations (Central Wisconsin Environmental Station, Treehaven, and Schmeekle Forest Preserve). The green ...
- Posted Nov. 16, 2021
- Green Funds
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Sustainability Action Fund
- University of Waterloo (ON)
The Sustainability Action Fund supports projects that advance the objectives of the Environmental Sustainability Strategy. Applications can be submitted from any student, staff, or faculty member. The fund has, to ...
- Posted Nov. 16, 2021
- Green Funds
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Campus Sustainability Incubator Fund
- Massachusettes Institute of Technology (CT)
The Campus Sustainability Incubator Fund seeks to enable MIT community members to use the MIT campus as a test bed for research in sustainable operations, management, and design. The seed ...
- Posted Nov. 16, 2021
- Green Funds
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Leveraging $1 Trillion in Higher Ed Retirement Funds for a Just Transition
- Intentional Endowments Network (MA)
- Federated Hermes (PA)
The Higher Education Community has approximately one trillion in assets under management in their retirement plans. This represents an enormous pool of funds that could be leveraged to achieve a ...
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
- Conference Presentations
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Investing in the Just Transition: How to Leverage Your Institution's Endowment
- University of New Hampshire (NH)
- Intentional Endowments Network (MA)
- RBC Global Asset Management
- Low Income Investment Fund (CA)
When exploring how to finance the just transition, the over half-trillion dollars in endowment funds invested by the nation's higher education institutions represent a relatively untapped resource containing immense ...
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
- Conference Presentations
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Democratizing Campus Sustainability Through Student Empowerment
- University of Kentucky (KY)
The University of Kentucky Student Sustainability Council was established in 2009 to steward the Green Fee collected annually from students. By bringing together student leaders from many disciplines and backgrounds ...
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
- Conference Presentations
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This tab provides access to data collected through AASHE’s Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System™ (STARS). STARS is a transparent, self-reporting framework for colleges and universities to measure their sustainability performance. STARS enables meaningful comparisons over time and across institutions using a common set of measurements developed with broad participation from the campus sustainability community. Additional content and advanced benchmarking tools will be added to this tab over time.
Programs and Initiatives
The following links connect to specific Content Displays on the STARS website (AASHE membership and log-in required).
- Committees on responsible investment (CIR)
- Sustainable investment policies
- Negative screens on investment
- Proxy voting guidelines and records
- Engagement with corporations in investment portfolios about sustainability issues
- Participation in investor networks and collaborations
- Investment holdings snapshots
Scores
The following link connects to the Score Display on the STARS website (AASHE membership and log-in required).