AEGN

Impact investing

Fund issues that generate a measurable and beneficial environmental impact alongside a financial return.

As environmental funders, we carefully shepherd our capital to causes and projects that help create a healthier planet and future.

And we know our investment capital — corpus and personal — oftentimes eclipses the funds we distribute. Yet shifting those investments to create environmental and social returns can be hard to do.

At our 2020 conference, we partnered with The Impact Club to hear from those who are making the changes required to achieve returns, from large foundations to individual funders. We explored the challenges to change, from navigating family preferences, to convincing trustees, through to working with investment managers. And we heard about the personal philosophies underpinning the work towards aligning investment decisions with philanthropic mission.

This unique opportunity allowed us to hear the personal and inspiring stories of some of Australia’s most experienced funders. Guest speakers included Martin Myer, President of the Myer Foundation; Danny Almagor, Small Giants; Sue McKinnon, McKinnon Family Foundation, and Kylie Charlton, a seasoned impact investment advisor.

Watch their video recordings from the workshop.

Introduction

An introduction from Amanda Martin OAM CEO AEGN

Welcome with Jeremy Grantham, co-founder GMO LLC

Also featuring:

  • Amanda Martin OAM, CEO, AEGN
  • Danny Almagor, Managing Director, Small Giants and Founder, The Impact Club
  • John McKinnon, McKinnon Family Foundation

Panel and discussion

Facilitated by Lillian Kline, Head of Client Engagement, Impact Investing Group.

Panel:

  • Martyn Myer, President, Myer Family Foundation
  • Danny Almagor, Managing Director, Small Giants and Founder, The Impact Club
  • Sue McKinnon, The McKinnon Family Foundation
  • Kylie Charlton, Chief Investment Officer, Australian Impact Investments

Mailing list

Connect with the issues, connect with members – and connect with members on the issues.

Before becoming a member of this email list, you signed a declaration to acknowledge that you understand and accept the special rules which have been established for this email list. In summary, this includes:

  • The email list is for sharing general information about environmental impact investment and information about investments members have made or are considering.
  • The information shared via the list does not constitute any form of advice or recommendation from the AEGN.
  • The AEGN takes no responsibility whatsoever for the accuracy, completeness or comprehensiveness of the information shared via the list.
  • The AEGN does not hold an Australian Financial Services License.
  • The information shared cannot consider your or your organisations needs and objectives. Therefore, it should not be used, relied upon, or treated as a substitute for independent advice based on you or your organisations’ specific requirements.
  • Before making an investment in any product you become aware of through the email list, the AEGN recommends you obtain the disclosure documents, and seek independent financial and legal advice in respect of the financial product that considers your personal objectives, financial situation, and needs.
  • To the fullest extent permitted by law, AEGN disclaims all liability for any loss or damage which may arise from the use or provision of any information shared on the email list.

What can I post in this mailing lists?

  • All information shared should relate to impact investing.
  • Share events, reports, articles, major announcements, and information about environmental impact investments you are making or considering.

Managing conflict of interest

If you have a pecuniary interest in an organisation or an initiative, you cannot promote that organisation or initiative. If you are a voluntary director of an organisation or initiative, you can promote the organisation, but you must declare your interest in the email.

What should I avoid?

  • No forwarding of emails to people outside of the membership or passing on information about members gleaned through email lists to people outside of the membership. The privacy of other members must be respected and protected by all members reading and sharing information.
  • Avoid making statements which might cause discomfort or offence to other members. Please respect the diversity of views, experiences, and approaches within the membership.
  • No sharing of information which is party political.
  • No soliciting for business.

How the mailing list works

Posting

  • Send an email to impactinvesting@aegnlist.org.au
  • Your email will be reviewed by an AEGN staff member who moderates the list.
  • If you send the email on a working day, it should be released within 24 hours. 
  • The moderator may ask you to make some amendments to your email, in line with our guidelines (see above), or to improve its visibility, before releasing the email.
  • The moderator will forward you a copy of your email in case you do not receive it from Google Groups.

Receiving and responding

  • You will receive an email starting with [AEGN: Impact investing] at the start of the subject line.
  • You can either reply to the sender or reply all if you want to share your response with all AEGN members. Only reply all if you are adding something important which other members will be interested to know about.

Contact us to join this mailing list on info@aegn.org.au or go to manage my communication preferences.

DivestInvest

A philanthropy guide that demystifies the path away from fossil fuels.

This guide is a world first, step-by-step tool for philanthropists who want to transition away from fossil fuels and toward climate solutions.

The guide includes:

  • the argument for divestment and investment
  • 25 example policy statements from institutions to illustrate the options available
  • two in-depth case studies
  • a five step process to work through with your colleagues and stakeholders
  • a literature review which distils the most essential and current research available
  • a tiered list of Australian fossil fuel companies and their index weightings
  • a list of international fossil fuel companies and their rankings
  • a list of all foundations worldwide that have pledged to DivestInvest
  • a list of all Australian organisations (including foundations) that have pledged to DivestInvest