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
Non-Profit Non-Starters? Using Creative Economic Levers on Campus
- Colby College (ME)
- Harvard University (MA)
- University of Virginia (VA)
Financial limitations are often a primary barrier to sustainability implementation at colleges and universities. Often, universities share best practices, and occasionally lessons learned, but less frequently do they describe the ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Mass College Green: Alternative Financing for Energy Efficiency Upgrades
- Dean College (MA)
- GreenerU (MA)
- Association of Independent Colleges and Universities in Massachusetts (MA)
With tighter budgets, leaner staff, and many competing priorities, colleges and universities are finding it increasingly difficult to commit the funds necessary to support energy efficiency and deferred maintenance initiatives ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Lessons from Fossil Fuel Divestment at SF State and De Anza College
- De Anza College (CA)
- San Francisco State University (CA)
San Francisco State University, Foothill-De Anza Community College District in the Silicon Valley, recently became the first U.S. public colleges or universities to divest from fossil fuels. Students are ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Building the Business Case for Sustainability in Higher Education
- Niagara College Canada (ON)
This concurrent workshop will provide an informative presentation and case study to help professionals communicate the benefits of sustainability projects that can satisfy economic, social and environmental criteria. The economic ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Students & Climate Change Intervention: Investment Office Insights
- University of British Columbia (BC)
- Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility (NY)
Focused on campuses with the intention of mobilizing student activists, late in 2012 a "divest from fossil fuel" campaign was begun. Most faith and values-driven institutional investors were attentive to ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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We Got Our Campus Green Fund! But How Do We Actually Spend It?
- George Mason University (VA)
In 2011, George Mason University launched the Patriot Green Fund (PGF). With an annual budget of $100,000 to support student-driven, sustainability-related research and infrastructure improvement projects at Mason, the ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Developing Green Revolving Funds to Reduce Environmental Footprint
- Sustainable Endowments Institute (MA)
This discussion will explore how students have created green revolving funds on their campuses and the tips and tricks they suggest to other students that are interesting in creating such ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Green Fund Programs: Implementation and Improvement
- University of California, Berkeley (CA)
This will be an interactive networking workshop that will allow various campuses to check in and see how other schools are running their Green Fund Programs. We want this to ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Leveraging Student Fees to Facilitate Student Led Initiatives
- University of North Carolina, Asheville (NC)
In 2007, the University of North Carolina at Asheville instituted a $20/semester student green fee to create a sustainability fund, and created the Student Environmental Center (SEC), a student-led ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Green Energy Fee Grant Program: Making campus more sustainable - one project at a time
- Western Washington University (WA)
The Green Energy Fee Grant Program is a Western Washington University grant program that enables the campus community to apply for funding to implement sustainable initiatives on campus. The Green ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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What Are We Advancing? Advancing Sustainability in Higher Education: Integration of the University and College Development Office
- California Polytechnic State University (CA)
The pressing need to develop more financially, environmentally and socially sustainable institutions creates an opportunity to advance the next philanthropic era in higher education – one that promotes a more comprehensive ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Sponsored Theater Presentation: Sterling Planet
- Sterling Planet, Inc. (GA)
Even with recent impressive gains in energy efficiency on college campuses, there is still significant room for improvement. At issue is how to implement energy conservation and load management measures ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Student sustainability grants for campus projects at Ohio State
- The Ohio State University (OH)
All across America, institutions struggle to expand programming and to provide meaningful learning opportunities to their students during times of shrinking budgets, increasing costs and reduction of state support. Oftentimes ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Connecting Academic Work with Funds to Address Campus Sustainability
- University of Colorado Colorado Springs (CO)
In order to educate future sustainability leaders we must bridge the academic operational divide by connecting student coursework with funding to address real campus sustainability projects. We must begin to ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Green Fund Implementation Guide- Campus Green Fund Collaborative
- Butler University (IN)
- University of California, Berkeley (CA)
- McGill University (QC)
- Northern Arizona University (AZ)
- University of Texas at Austin (TX)
- University of Vermont (VT)
The Campus Green Fund Collaborative (CGFC) is a non-registered group of campus sustainability staff involved with coordinating and managing green funds on their respective campuses. In partnership with the Association ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Fossil Fuel Divestment: A Growing Student-led Movement for Climate Justice
- Brandeis University (MA)
- Unity Environmental University (ME)
- Responsible Endowments Coalition (PA)
- Green Century Capital Management (WI)
Launched on just a handful of campuses in 2011, the Fossil Fuel Divestment Campaign has expanded exponentially in just a few short months - escalating the demand for bold climate action ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Plenary: Investing in Energy Efficiency through Green Revolving Funds
- Agnes Scott College (GA)
- Catawba College (NC)
- Harvard University (MA)
- Sustainable Endowments Institute (MA)
An increasing number of colleges are establishing green revolving funds to tap into new sources of capital and scale up their institution's commitment to investing in reducing carbon emissions ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Playing Like A Team: Advancing Campus Sustainability By Greening Sports
- University of California, Los Angeles (CA)
- University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (MN)
- Green Sports Alliance (OR)
- Natural Resources Defense Council (DC)
With help from organizations such as AASHE and the U.S. EPA, colleges and universities across the nation are implementing campus-wide sustainability programs to enhance their environmental performance. Many of ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Divestment: Successful Case Studies
- College of the Atlantic (ME)
- Unity Environmental University (ME)
- Responsible Endowments Coalition (PA)
With active campaigns on over 250 college campuses, divestment from fossil fuels has shifted the sustainability conversation significantly over the past year, pushing the “operational boundary” for campus sustainability, and ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Show Me the Money! The Benefits of Investing in Energy Efficiency through Green Revolving Funds
- Agnes Scott College (GA)
- Western Michigan University (MI)
- Sustainable Endowments Institute (MA)
Whether your college is striving to reach its carbon-reduction goals or is considering divesting from fossil fuel companies, green revolving funds (GRFs) offer a compelling investment opportunity. With a median ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Sustainable Investing for Endowments: Solving the Problem
- Northwestern University (IL)
- Breckinridge Capital Advisors, Inc. (MA)
Our presentation focuses on empowering and motivating universities to adapt to a new world of sustainable investing. The presentation will address the limited amount of sustainable investment strategies currently available ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Green Capital Projects: How to Get Cash Flow and Reduce Emissions
- Sweet Briar College (VA)
- Stone House Group (PA)
Sweet Briar College realized the need to reduce energy cost and consumption on campus after four environmental engineering students conducted an energy audit in 2008. The audit inspired the College ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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New Funding Sources to Drive Campus Clean Energy/GHG Leadership and Innovation
- Ball State University (IN)
- Valencia College (FL)
This workshop introduces an entirely new funding source for colleges dedicated to pursuing aggressive clean energy efficiency goals: the voluntary carbon market. With announcements poised to be made at the ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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A Cap-and-Trade Model for RIT Commuters
- Rochester Institute of Technology (NY)
As climate change awareness grows, several U.S. colleges and universities are tracking their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and have signed the American and University Presidents Climate Commitment (AUPCC), pledging ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Sustainability Initiatives Revolving Fund: A Unique Application With A Proven Track Record
- Arizona State University (AZ)
A major research university developed and launched its Sustainability Initiatives Revolving Fund (SIRF) in fiscal year (FY) 2010 with the goals of investing wisely in projects that promote sustainability, accelerating ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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How to Build a Career Saving the Planet? Just Ask
- Bard College (NY)
What skills and experiences do you need to become people of power, people with the ability to affect the future, within five to ten years? What does it take to ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Hands on Sustainability: Leveraging Green Revolving Funds to Ignite Collaboration
- Sustainable Endowments Institute (MA)
Utilizing case studies of Green Revolving Funds (GRF) participants will work together in small groups to develop a pitch to campus decision-makers to start and manage a GRF. Groups will ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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How North Carolina's largest community college is meeting sustainability goals, addressing deferred maintenance and saving $350,000 a year in energy costs
- Central Piedmont Community College (NC)
- Trane (TX)
Recently completed improvements at Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC), North Carolina’s largest community college, are expected to generate $350,000 in annual energy savings while increasing sustainability. These improvements ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Case Study: Establishing a Green Revolving Fund at Appalachian State University
- Appalachian State University (NC)
Working with the University Sustainability Council and University Foundation, Appalachian State University (ASU) is pursuing the development of a Green Revolving Loan Fund (GRLF) to support University projects that promote ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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How to Start a Renewable Energy Project at the Community College – Trustees Are Your Best Friends
- Austin Community College (TX)
It is no secret, renewable energy project is expensive. Return on
investment may be too long to attract any budget minded decision makers at your college, especially in our tough ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Connecting People to Products and Services: Creating Active Citizenry Through Knowledge Systems
- College of Charleston (SC)
In 2005, The College of Charleston joined the Fair Labor Association in response to pressure from students, faculty, and staff, to be more cognizant of the impacts of their corporate ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Student Sustainability Fund vs Green Fee
- DePauw University (IN)
Titles matter. This spring, DePauw University's Student Government set aside $10,000 from the Student Activity Fee to advance sustainability on campus. Rather than solely focus on "green" or ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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An Innovative Self-Funded Platform for Scalable Building Energy Upgrades & Community Engagement
- George Washington University (DC)
So you’ve signed the ACUPCC and perhaps you even have a sustainability fund – where do you go from here?? The George Washington University recently pondered this question and has ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Pilot-to-Institutionalization Methodologies for Campus Community Greening Funds
- New York University (NY)
A sharply increasing number of universities have implemented Campus Community Greening Funds (CCGFs) which offer students, and sometimes staff and faculty, modest funding for campus sustainability initiatives. This briefing will ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Sustainabillity by Collaboration: Partnering Facilities with Instruction
- Sierra College (CA)
Sierra College utilizes a unique partnership between the facilities and instructional divisions to provide high-level workforce development training for students while expanding the college's renewable energy portfolio. The Energy ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Endowment Transparency at Duke: a Qualitative Analysis of Effects on Environmental Sustainability and Assessment of Strategies
- Duke University (NC)
The transparency of a university's endowment affects the responsibility of its investment decisions. After researching Duke University's endowment and examining numerous protests against Duke's irresponsible investments, I ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Student Involvement in Revolving Loan Funds: A Case Study
- University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign (IL)
The University of Illinois Champaign Urbana has the largest student-funded green fee pool in the nation. The funds from this fee are allocated by an appointed committee of ten students ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Green Funds 1.0: Getting a Fund Started
- College of Charleston (SC)
- College of Lake County (IL)
- Pacific Lutheran University (WA)
Green Funds 1.0: Getting a Fee Started will explore the stories, challenges and success of different institutions on their journey to adding a green fund to their sustainability initiatives ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Green Funds 2.0: The Nitty-Gritty of Campus Sustainability Fund Management from the Ground Up
- Northern Arizona University (AZ)
- University of California, Berkeley (CA)
- University of Vermont (VT)
A campus sustainability fund (also called green fund) is money available to campus community members for sustainability projects. Money for the fund may be from student fees, administrative budgets, or ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Mapping Renewable Energy Potential on Campus: A Case Study of a Strategic Green Fund Project
- University of Vermont (VT)
Wonder where the best solar, wind, geothermal opportunities are on your campus? In this session, we will present one institution's year long process to answer this question through the ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Billion Dollar Green Challenge: How Campus Green Revolving Funds are Saving Energy and Money (2012)
- University of Southern California (CA)
- Sustainable Endowments Institute (MA)
Facing burdensome budget cuts and unstable energy costs, many colleges are grappling with how to finance urgently needed, but capital-intensive, energy efficiency retrofits. In response to this need, this workshop ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Green Funds at Community Colleges: Unique Approaches to Engaging Students
- College of Lake County (IL)
- Johnson County Community College (KS)
Connecting students to a community college's sustainability efforts presents distinct challenges. Community colleges strive for a standard of quality education that is affordable and accessible to all types of ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Costs and Performance of LEED Platinum Buildings
- California Institute of Technology (CA)
- Davis Langdon, An AECOM Company (CA)
Most owners or facility managers would entertain the idea of achieving LEED platinum certification for their next project. There are two basic questions they have when asked to incorporate a ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Changing the Campus Dynamic: The student creation and administration of the Sustainability Initiatives Fund at Johnson County Community College
- Johnson County Community College (KS)
In fall 2009, a small cohort of Honors students at Johnson County Community College took it upon themselves to campaign across campus, petitioning their peers, appealing to the President, and ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Sustainable Change at UAF: Initiated and Managed by Students
- University of Alaska Fairbanks (AK)
What's better than having a $20 student sustainability fee? Having those monies managed by students! Come hear about how the Review of Infrastructure, Sustainability and Energy (RISE) Board operates ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Fundraising for Sustainability - how to raise money (or get someone to do it for you)
- University of Michigan (MI)
In tough economic times, funding can be scarce or unavailable all together. Sustainability officers have traditionally sought funding in the form of special allocations, student green fees, grants, revolving loan ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Diversifying the Budgetary Resources for Your Campus' Sustainability Program
- Appalachian State University (NC)
Where does the budget for your campus Sustainability Programs come from? On most campuses, these Offices and Efforts are funded by a department or solely with savings. Learn how to ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Bringing Your Green Fund to the Next Level: Creating Tomorrow's Leaders Through Student-Driven Internal Growth and Leadership Development
- University of California, Santa Barbara (CA)
Campus Green Funds are a necessary component for any college campus striving towards sustainability goals, though few realize its full potential. Since its inception in 1999, the student organization, Associated ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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University Green Fund: Mobilizing the University Community Towards Sustainability
- University of Northern British Columbia (BC)
In the two years since its creation, the UNBC Green Fund has proven to be successful at mobilizing different university groups into action. The University of Northern British Columbia Green ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Squeezing Water Out of Rocks: Two Years of the Sustainability Fee at Western Michigan University
- Western Michigan University (MI)
On April 15, 2010 our Board of Trustees approved a student initiated Sustainability Fee. Fourteen-thousand square feet of student gardens, ten-thousand travel mugs, hundreds of worms, fifty internships, sixteen grant ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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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.
All responses reference content from reports under the latest version of STARS, version 2.2. AASHE membership and log-in is required.
PA 9: Committee on Investor Responsibility
- Description of the committee for investor responsibility (CIR)
- Examples of CIR actions during the previous 3 years
- Website URL - Committee for investor responsibility
PA 10: Sustainable Investment
- Percent of the institution's investment pool in positive sustainability investments
- Sustainability investment policy (upload)
- Sustainability investment policy (description)
- Description of public divestment effort or negative screens
- Website URL - Sustainable investment
PA 11: Investment Disclosure
Additional analysis on scores and quantitative fields can be conducted using the STARS Benchmarking Tool.