We are asking that colleges reinvest five percent of their endowments into these clean economy solutions, which include:
- Renewable energy and clean technology including energy efficiency retrofits
- Sustainable infrastructure like wind farms and public transportation
- Community development financial institutions like loan funds, credit unions, and community banks
- Sustainable forestry, clean water and other investments to mitigate the impacts of climate change
More specifically, REC asks that colleges reinvest one percent of the endowment in community investment. We emphasize indirect investment, in which a trusted third party allocates the investment within the college's local community or to projects that keep money local. Appropriate community investment vehicles include:
Type | Examples |
Credit Unions | |
Community Development Banks | With CDARS a school can invest up to $50 million in community development banks |
Cooperative and Green Revolving Loan Funds |
Cooperative Fund of New England Local Enterprise Assistance Fund |
Municipal Bonds |
REC asks that four percent of the endowment be reinvested in traditional endowment asset classes. Appropriate investments in traditional endowment asset classes include:
Type | Examples |
Venture Capital & Private Equity | |
Public Equity (Stocks) | |
Real Estate |