An increasing number of private foundations are inserting sociopolitical considerations into their investment portfolios, just as many already do in their grantmaking. Those that choose to do so should be prepared to weather any public scrutiny that their investments attract. The problem is that some foundations do not publicly disclose their investments in the same way that they disclose their grants.
Last year, Ford Foundation president Darren Walker announced that “going forward, the foundation’s endowment will not invest in any fossil-fuel-related industries.” With over $15.7 billion in net assets as of its most recent tax filing, Ford’s decision to divest from conventional energy sources attracted considerable attention.
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