Supporting the people and places of Tahoe

Charitable Investments

Investment Strategy

A Broadly Diversified Investment Portfolio

One of the Community Foundation's most important responsibilities is our stewardship of charitable funds entrusted to our care. We have a broadly diversified investment portfolio that is structured to produce investment returns that exceed market averages while moderating risk, with the goal of enabling our donors to maximize their philanthropic giving.

We do not engage in market timing. Funds available for investment are invested promptly, and funds needed for distributions are liquidated promptly. Similarly, market fluctuations do not trigger changes in the investment mix targets for our five investment horizon categories.

Investment Horizon Categories

To meet the philanthropic objectives of donor funds, we have five investment horizon categories to choose from: Ultra-Long Term, Long Term, Intermediate Term, Short Term and Socially Responsible. A fund’s risk appetite and the time horizon over which the fund will exist determine its investment horizon; the longer the investment horizon, the greater the expected return.

  • Our most recent Investment Performance View

    • Investment Options

    Our Investment Horizon Categories
    Ultra-Long Term
    Goal: To achieve average annual returns significantly greater than inflation with the prospect of periodic market value drops over market cycles greater than 10 years. Designed to suit endowment funds invested for perpetuity and funds with long remaining lives and modest annual payouts.
    Long Term
    Goal: To achieve average annual returns several percentage points greater than inflation with the prospect of periodic market value drops over 7-10 year market cycles. Designed to suit funds with long remaining lives and modest annual payouts.
    Intermediate Term
    Goal: Returns slightly greater than inflation over time and an allowance for occasional market value dips within five year periods. Ideal for funds whose inflows are large, but infrequent relative to annual outflows.
    Short Term
    Goal: Relatively steady market values over time plus some inflation protection. Suited to accounts which receive periodic injections and/or have large annual payouts relative to their average balance.
    Socially Responsible
    Goal: Investments are screened for certain environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria. Ideal for funds seeking to consider both financial return and social good to bring about a social change.

    Investment
    Committee

    Experienced Entrepreneurs in the Financial World

    Few community foundations have the breadth of financial experience and savvy offered by the Community Foundation. Our Investment Committee members are some of the most successful and experienced entrepreneurs in the financial world.

    These volunteers direct the Community Foundation’s investment philosophy, process and management, bringing a global perspective to the investment of community charitable assets.

    Investment Committee Members

    • Aaron Moore, Chair - Former Chief Technology Officer and Board Member of Zephyr Associates, a leading provider of investment analysis software.
    • David Hardie - Founder and Executive Chairman of Hallador Investment Advisors, Inc.
    • Robert Holtz - Retired Partner at alternative investment manager Wexford Capital LP. Former Trustee, Treasurer and Investment Committee Chair at King School, Stamford CT.
    • Alvaro Pascotto - Private investor as well as a lawyer specializing in private equity and wealth management, tax planning, entertainment and intellectual property. Founder of Kairos Partners SGR S.P.A.
    • Lisa Petrie - Founder of The Petrie Group of TSG Wealth Management.
    • Ryan Ritchie - Portfolio Manager and wealth planner with a local private investment firm; specialties include global macro research and manager due diligence. Holds a Master of Science in Investment Management from London's Cass Business School.
    • Elbridge Stuart - Trustee and Treasurer of Stuart Foundation; Former Director of Alternative Investments & Research, Coldstream Capital Management.
    Charity Navigator - Charity Navigator, the nation’s largest charity evaluator, has continually awarded the Parasol Tahoe Community Foundation its highest possible rating of 4 stars. In addition, we have received a perfect overall score of 100 points, designating us as an exceptional charity. We are in the top 1% of charities rated and this sets us apart from our peers and demonstrates to the public our trustworthiness.
    The Parasol Tahoe Community Foundation has been certified by the Community Foundations National Standards Board confirming that we meet the most rigorous standards in philanthropy. This certification is designed to provide quality assurance to donors, as well as their legal and financial advisors.