For Estate Planning Professionals

How We Invest

The Foundation's Strategy

  • Establish a strategic asset allocation which is expected to achieve the Foundation's long-term return objective to preserve Foundation purchasing power.
  • No attempt is made to time the market or change strategy based on near-term outlook.
  • Diversify the portfolio by asset class and strategy. This reduces risk and increases the likelihood of achieving the return objective under different economic and market conditions.

Asset Allocation

The Foundation's assets are well-diversified using a long-term strategic approach.

  • 65% of the assets are invested in equity securities, 25% are invested in fixed income, 5% in inflation hedges, and the remaining 5% in direct real estate.
  • Within the equity portion of the portfolio, the Foundation invests in large cap, mid cap and small cap companies as well as international and emerging market companies.
  • The expected return of the portfolio is 8.5%. This return will allow the Foundation to support its mission, even after adjusting for inflation. While there is risk associated with investing in equities, the return potential over the long-term is significant. Fixed income strategies historically have been less risky, but investing in bonds alone is not likely to provide enough return to support the long-term return objective of the Foundation. Real estate and inflation hedging strategies increases the diversification of the portfolio and assist in managing risk.

The Current Strategy

Strategy chart

How Does the Foundation Oversee its Portfolio?

Investment Committee -- Monitors performance, asset allocation, manager allocations and manager style adherence.

Colonial Consulting -- Produces monthly performance reports for the Foundation, reviews all manager written reports and portfolios and immediately communicates any problems or concerns to the Committee.

Asset Allocation and Investment Managers

Asset Class/
Investment Managers
Target Operating Range
U.S. Large Cap Equity
State Street Global Advisor (SsgA)
Boston, MA
Eagle Capital Management LLC
New York, NY
35% 30%-40%
U.S. Small Cap Equity
Small/Mid Cap Value Equity
Advisory Research, Inc.
Chicago, IL
Small Cap Growth Equity
Champlain Investment Partners LLC
Burlington, VT
8% 3%-13%
International Equity
Lazard Asset Management LLC
New York, NY
17% 12%-22%
Emerging Markets
Lazard Asset Management LLC
New York, NY
5% 0%-10%
Fixed Income
Baird Advisors
Milwaukee, WI
25% 20%-30%
Inflation Hedges
Mount Lucas Management Corporation
Princeton, NJ
5% 0%-10%
Direct Real Estate
Metropolitan Real Estate Equity
Management, LLC
New York, NY
5% 0%-10%
Giving in Action

The Catholic Community Foundation is changing lives. Learn how people in your community have been changed through giving and receiving. Stories >

Types of Funds

Clients desire options. See what type of fund would fit your client.View Options >

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