FFTC’s Investment Committee believes the most important investment decision is the asset allocation decision. Our approach to asset allocation is based on developing the appropriate mix of investments that address a portfolio's long-term growth while maintaining an acceptable level of risk and protection against inflation.

Our offerings are strengthened by the expertise of our Investment Committee, appointed by FFTC’s Board of Directors and comprised of veteran investors and experienced business leaders. The Investment Committee determines asset allocation and monitors market performance with the goal of achieving a return commensurate with the risk of the particular investment portfolio and manager strategy.

Current Investment Committee
 

FFTC retains an Investment Consultant, currently Mercer LLC, specializing in institutional funds management to help guide the Investment Committee. The Investment Committee has delegated the responsibility for selecting, monitoring and terminating investment managers. Mercer is also responsible for reviewing and reporting investment performance across all FFTC standard pools to ensure long-term performance achieves the investment objectives of the different strategies. The consultant also provides support and recommendations concerning capital market conditions, asset allocation and portfolio risk. Mercer is a fiduciary with respect to its investment advisory relationship with FFTC.

In addition to the Investment Consultant, FFTC’s internal staff includes investment professionals who further assist the committee in monitoring all aspects of FFTC’s investment portfolios.

The Liquid Reserves Pool is invested in the BlackRock TempFund, one of BlackRock’s Liquidity Funds. The fund seeks as high a level of current income as is consistent with liquidity and stability of principal. TempFund invests in a broad range of U.S. dollar denominated money market instruments.

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The Low Duration Fixed Income Pool is a low-volatility strategy with an objective to preserve capital while generating income. Investments include a variety of fixed income instruments with maturities generally less than five years – approximately three years on average.

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The Income & Growth Pool is designed to yield consistent income and dividends while also achieving moderate capital appreciation. The portfolio is allocated 60% fixed income and 40% equity. The equity allocation includes domestic, international developed and emerging market large and small cap equity securities. The fixed income allocation includes short and medium term fixed income securities with an aggregate maturity of six years.

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The Active Long-Term Growth Pool seeks long-term capital appreciation without exposure to hedge funds or private equity. Up to 70% of its assets are invested in broad domestic and international large and small-cap stocks in developed and emerging markets. The remaining assets are allocated to fixed income (25%) and real assets (5%).  

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The ESG Long-Term Growth Pool has a similar risk and return profile as our existing Active Long-Term Growth pool and will continue to be a diversified portfolio across major global equity markets, with a modest allocation to fixed income. The key difference will be the use of active investment managers who incorporate ESG factors – such as climate change, air quality, labor practices, diversity & inclusion, and shareholder rights – into their selection process.

This portfolio measures favorably across all 17 of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals when compared against its passive benchmark. These 17 goals are designed to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This option may be appealing to fundholders who wish to ensure their investment strategy aligns with internationally recognized Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) standards.

This pool is currently available to FFTC fundholders only, with expansion to supporting organizations – such as FCJC – in the future. For those not yet eligible, please contact your relationship manager or Philanthropy@fftc.org to express interest.

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The Passive Long-Term Growth Pool offers a well-diversified investment option using low-cost Exchange Traded Funds. The ETFs provide 75% exposure to global equity markets and 25% exposure to U.S. Fixed Income markets. 

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The Diversified Long-Term Growth Pool is the model endowment portfolio recommended by FFTC's Investment Committee for donors with long-term investment horizons. This portfolio is broadly diversified, offering domestic and international market exposure while investing in large cap and small cap securities in developed countries and emerging markets. The allocation includes alternative investments, hedge funds and private equity investments to improve the overall risk/return profile of the portfolio.

Due to the illiquid nature of some of the alternative investments, there are liquidity restrictions that will apply on these funds which may affect timing of grant requests. Restrictions on withdrawals apply depending upon the fund balance as follows: less than $1M - available within 90 days; $1M-$5M - 80% available within 90 days, remainder within one year; and greater than $5M - please contact your relationship manager.

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Foundation For The Carolinas offers a variety of standard investment pools for funds under management that span the risk-return spectrum from conservative allocations to more growth-oriented investment pools. Funds in excess of $2 million may be eligible for custom investment allocations.

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This program allows donors with a minimum fund balance greater than $250,000  to use an approved investment advisory firm to manage their donor advised fund in lieu of selecting one of FFTC's Standard Investment Pools. The FFTC Investment Committee must review and approve all investment alliance managers. The Alliance Manager Program's Investment Policy Statement outlines investment guidelines and policies, including quarterly reporting requirements and annual portfolio reviews with FFTC staff.

For more information, contact Natalie Wolf at nwolf@fftc.org.

Current FFTC Approved Investment Alliance Managers