Institutional Services
Engaged
Our team strives to be an extension of your team.
Investment Policy Statement Revision & Construction
Syntrinsic’s Approach to IPS Development
- The iterative process may be driven by a client task-force or subcommittee that works with Syntrinsic to synthesize stakeholder perspectives and that can invest more time in the process.
- Syntrinsic guides the process, tracks the drafts and proposed revisions, and helps keep the effort on track and efficient.
- To start, we discuss with and/or survey key stakeholders (Board, Committee, Staff) regarding topics such as: objectives, strategic priorities, business risks, use of funds, anticipated changes, values, and governance.
- Syntrinsic provides a draft with suggested language and/or edits for stakeholder consideration.
- Collaboratively, we work through key decision points with the goal of ensuring clarity and consensus amongst stakeholders.
- When the final draft is ready, it is presented to the Board for formal approval, knowing that the IPS already incorporates the Board’s intentions.
IPS Topics
- Operating and spending needs
- Decision making responsibilities for Board, committee, staff, advisor
- Liquidity needs
- Use of funds
- Spending policy
- Investment philosophy
- Risks and risk tolerances
- Eligible asset classes
- Asset allocation guidelines
- Manager diligence and selection process
- Review process
- Values alignment
- Custody and trading
Values Based Investing
Many Syntrinsic clients strive to reflect or reinforce their personal values through their investing. Rather than imposing our values on our clients, Syntrinsic begins by understanding the broader goals that you wish to achieve. There is no pressure to align values and investments; rather, we strive to be a resource for understanding the possibilities and a guide for learning more. For some investors, values based investing is informed by one or more of the goals below.
ALIGNMENT
The degree to which a portfolio reflects one’s values. Values alignment may be seen through lenses of association and responsibility.
IMPACT
Creating an outcome with your investment that would not otherwise have happened.
RISK/RETURN
Maximizing investment return within risk and strategy guidelines.
SIGNALING
Investors may send a signal to the public and corporate management with their investment choices, including by calling attention to company practices contrary to the investor’s personal values.
Portfolio Construction
Wise investment decisions flow naturally when there is clarity of the investor’s needs and a thorough understanding of the investable landscape.
Knowing how much one needs to earn to fulfill plan objectives informs crafting an asset allocation that aligns with those objectives.
We sometimes recommend that organizations craft a stewardship platform with multiple portfolios that reflecting the variety of business needs, objectives, timelines, and risk tolerances that many investors possess. Often, Endowment and Reserve funds should be invested quite differently.
With objectives and allocations clear, the process for selecting specific investment strategies takes shape. Those decisions are influenced by liquidity considerations, regulatory and reporting concerns, and traditional factors such as cost, risk, volatility, income production, and confidence.
Education: Power Through Knowledge
Behavioral Finance
- Risk, Fear, and Market Timing
- Investment Decision Making
Markets + Finance
- Active + Passive Investing
- Alternative Investments
Institutional Investing
- Fiduciary Best Practices & Impact Investing
- Spending Policies & Financial Modeling
Donor Engagement
Stewardship Best Practices
We help clients develop polices and practices worthy of donor confidence
Stakeholder Messaging
We craft letters and other materials that clients brand as their own
Custom Reporting
We co-develop donor-facing reports designed to earn donor confidence
Donor Collaboration
We can be an ally in meetings with current and prospective donors
Operational Support:
Your Investment Back Office
- Custody and Trading
- Account Set-Up
- Asset Transfer
- Cash Flows
- Tax and Legal Support
- Portfolio Changes
- Fee Advocate
- Reports and Analysis