Impact investing—also called mission investing or program related investing—is used by foundations of all types and sizes to make a difference in their communities. By investing a portion of the foundation’s assets in ways that generate both a targeted benefit and a financial return, impact investing helps foundations make the most of their capital assets.
By supplementing traditional grant making with impact investing, community foundations can:
Grow Your Impact
Endowed funds are invested to provide a long-term return with little volatility in order to make annual grants in perpetuity. All investments are overseen by our experienced Investment Committee and reported donors via regular fund statements
The allocation policy is designed to provide an optimal asset mix for the portfolio, emphasizing diversification to lower risk and maximize return. There is significant evidence that long-term investors do not benefit from attempting to earn returns through short-term asset class forecasts or market timing. While each asset class and strategy are carefully selected, the focus of the investment is always on the overall portfolio. The Investment Committee has set an asset allocation as shown.
| Asset Class | Minimum | Maximum |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. Equity | 10% | 60% |
| International Equity | 10% | 30% |
| Alternative Investments | 0% | 15% |
| Fixed Income/Cash | 15% | 60% |
In 2024 we launched a new Investment Committee of technical and community-based experts. The committee developed an ambitious 10-year plan to steward foundation investments. The new focus includes moving 5% of our investments beyond traditional markets, i.e. “wall street” to local “main street” projects. This type of “Impact Investing” represents a set of powerful tools being used across the country by foundations of all types and sizes. By investing in ways that generate both a targeted social benefit and a financial return, impact investing helps foundations make the most of their capital assets.
I am originally from Mukilteo, Washington, and graduated from Washington State University in 2021. After graduation, I moved to Phoenix, Arizona for 3 years, where I worked as an Investment Operations Analyst at the Arizona Community Foundation, managing the day-to-day responsibilities of investment portfolios. Currently, I work in impact investing as an Investment Operations Associate at Impact Assets. I am passionate about volunteering because Snohomish County is a beautiful and diverse community with tremendous opportunities for growth. In my free time, I enjoy cycling around Lake Washington and exploring the many bike paths in Seattle, where I currently call home.
I am originally from Omaha, Nebraska, and have lived in Stanwood, Washington for the past decade after spending 15 years working in digital advertising in New York City. I specialize in motion graphics and previously worked for digital agencies as well as Microsoft as part of a design team in Redmond. I currently serve as President and Chairman of the Board of The Olson Foundation, our family charitable foundation. Through the foundation, I support community initiatives in both Omaha and the Stanwood area, with a focus on projects that create meaningful local impact. Learning about the evolving needs of the communities we serve is an ongoing and important part of that work.
Outside of work and philanthropy, I enjoy spending time outdoors in Western Washington and traveling with my family to experience different cultures and explore new destinations.
Though born in Seattle, Washington, I grew up a military baby and had the opportunity to travel at a young age and live abroad. As a result, I experienced many cultures and people from different places and walks of life. This gave me a love for humanity, community, and service. In 2003, I became an ordained minister and in 2022, I earned a Doctorate in Divinity. In 2003, I was given the assignment to lead Millennia Ministries Enterprise, a 501c3 non-profit and for the last 22 years, our mission has been to meet needs and transform lives. Offering housing, food, budgeting classes, employment training, resources and plethora of other services, our goal continues to be to empower others so they can live victoriously and thrive, not just survive.
I am blessed to share this wonderful journey called life with my husband, business partner, friend, of 22 years, Dave. I am the proud mother of 4 beautiful children and 7 grandchildren, and 4 great grandchildren. I love to travel, all over the world in my spare time. The hero that I love to honor, remember and celebrate is Harriet Tubman who said “Every great dream begins with a dreamer,
Always remember you have within you the strength, the patience and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.”
My family moved to the Pacific Northwest in 2007, and I started my career as a credit/underwriting professional. I learned of the CFSC through volunteering with the Red-Tailed Hawks Flying Club. Earning my MBA from WWU motivated me to seek opportunities to give back to a community and practice the skills I learned, so when CFSC sought my help, I could not say no. This committee’s work improves our community, and we learn so much from each other.
Tina, Deputy Director of LISC Puget Sound, has spent 20+ years working in community and economic development, working both for community-based organizations and local government. Her experience includes small business and affordable housing finance, workforce development, program and policy development, and community engagement. Tina has also worked in the health arena, with Washington’s global health community and health equity impact investing. Tina leads LISC’s economic development work in Everett and Snohomish County. She regularly spends time at the Village on Casino Road, Kindred Kitchen and at Everett’s City Hall. In her off hours, you can find Tina hiking trails in the Cascades.
The endowed investment pool is an actively managed perpetual fund. The Community Foundation collects a fee ranging from 1.5% – 2% to cover investment fees and our own operations. Nonprofit Agency Funds receive a fee break. A sliding fee scale is used for endowments over $2 million.
Endowed fundholders may choose an annual grant distribution of 4% – 10% of the fund’s balance, averaged over the previous 12 quarters. Fundholders may also choose to reinvest that amount into the corpus for continued growth.
In 2016 we made our first investment of $600,000 to help build HopeWorks Station. It returned 2 – 4% each year. The investment has reached term and will be recycled back into another local project.
