The Jackson Foundation seeks to advance the public good, inspire action, and promote a civil, sustainable and just society. Over the past 38 years, the Foundation has granted $27 million toward those ends. With a strategic plan goal focusing on climate change, specifically on limiting global temperature rise to 1.5° C, we direct a significant portion of our grantmaking to address the climate crisis.
And we wanted to do more. Last month, the Foundation Board made a bold decision to align the Foundation’s financial assets with its goals, shifting 100% of the endowment portfolio into Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) funds. By reducing carbon emissions and ecological impacts, and accelerating clean technologies, these investments can help speed the transition to sustainability.
We believe it’s critical for each aspect of the Foundation to work in synergy in support of our mission. In addition to climate, this move incorporates the Foundation’s goal focusing on leadership. ESG investments strive for more inclusive economic growth through strengthened and diversified leadership.
Through reorienting our financial investments, the Foundation can mobilize its resources to aid our climate. We believe that investing in ESG funds is the best way to steward our resources, in every sense.
We are proud to join other investors who are divesting from fossil fuels, and encourage others to join us!