Best of CASE District VII Award
 

Institution: Arizona State University

Title of entry: Sustainable Responsible Impact Investing

About this entry: The ASU Foundation convened a group of stakeholders -- faculty, staff, students and trustee --- to understand mission-aligned investing. For many years, Arizona State University has served as a leader and catalyst in advancing sustainability as a core value of the university. Stakeholders realized the ASU Foundation is in a unique position to highlight the intersection of sustainability and finance, to drive change in corporate America, to support innovative firms solving societal challenges and to influence how capital is invested.

The ASU Foundation Sustainable, Responsible Impact Investing report articulates how the ASU Foundation aligns with Arizona State University's leadership in sustainability efforts and in sustainable investing while still earning top-tier returns for the university's endowment. The report shows how the foundation has leveraged its role as the university's asset owner to combat climate change and promote justice, equity, diversity and inclusion. Finally, the report shows how the university worked with students to create shareholder-engagement opportunities as well as investment opportunities through a student-managed fund, thereby preparing the next generation of shareholder activists.