Values Aligned Investment Praxis Group

NFG’s Values Aligned Investment Praxis Group provides a dedicated space for foundation CEOs and Presidents to learn and experiment with a group of trusted peers who aim to shift their endowment investments into greater alignment with their institutional missions. An outgrowth of the Philanthropy Forward alumni network, the community of practice is focused on social movement aligned investing to support groups building community power.

In its first cohort, seven foundation CEOs participated from May 2022 – October 2023 to:

• Build a shared definition of “values aligned investing”
• Support each other toward Board education and engagement
• Identify the right investment advisors
• Develop and implement values aligned investment strategies, such as: Carve outs, ESG screens and divestment, Program & Mission Related Investment (PRI / MRI), and shareholder activism and proposals.
• Activate new funders to develop investment strategies at the NFG Convening in May 2023 and at CHANGE Unity Summit in October 2023.

In 2024, NFG will expand the space to include CEOs, CFOs, CIOs (or others with similar levels of decision making authority and direct accountability for investment outcomes) from the broader NFG community. Additional areas that we aim to explore in our 2024-2025 Praxis Group include:

• Making catalyzing investments in grantees and communities 
• Deal sourcing and co-investing for big impact
• Supporting social movements and grantees by aligning investments, deal sourcing, and shareholder activism
• Shifting the investment advising field together

This year, the Values Aligned Investment Praxis Group will launch on April 25, 2024 in New York City (with the ability to participate virtually if needed) and will run through June 2025. Foundation leadership interested in investment strategies that are aligned with NFG’s Theory of Change are welcome to join the group!

Please email Ariel Brooks (arielbrooksconsulting@gmail.com) and Manisha Vaze (manisha@nfg.org) by April 15, 2024 if you are interested in joining this year!