Investments
FFTC Investment Pools and Performance
Foundation For The Carolinas offers a cost-effective, expertly managed investment platform designed to address the diverse needs and objectives of those we serve. Fund advisors can choose from a number of investment strategies to increase diversification, lower costs and gain access to top-quality managers. Together, we will leverage our expertise and sound financial management to maximize your investment in the community.
Dependable Stewardship
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, selects professional money managers and monitors performance with the goal of achieving a return commensurate with the risk of the particular investment strategy.
Current Investment Committee
Kevin Roche, Chair, Civic Leader
Daniele Donahoe, McShane Partners
Barnes W. Hauptfuhrer, Civic Leader
Rod Hoover, Wells Fargo
Arrington Mixon, Civic Leader
Russ Morrison, Barings (retired)
Thomas Nelson, National Gypsum
William Williamson, Civic Leader
FFTC retains an Investment Consultant, currently Mercer LLC, specializing in institutional funds management to help guide the Investment Committee. The Investment Consultant provides quarterly reports on the investment performance of the different strategies and the individual money managers. 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.
The Low Duration Fixed Income Pool preserves capital while generating income. Investments are allocated across four fixed income managers – Sterling Capital Short Duration (40%), Doubleline Low Duration (35%), BlackRock Low Duration (15%) and Brown Brothers Harriman Limited Duration (10%). These managers invest across a variety of fixed income instruments with maturities generally less than five years – approximately three years on average.
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.
Formerly known as "Moderate Growth." Name change effective June 1, 2018.
The Active Long-Term Growth Pool seeks long-term capital appreciation without exposure to hedge funds or private equity. It is invested in broad domestic and international large and small cap stocks in developed and emerging markets.
Formerly known as "Passive Diversified Growth." Name change effective June 1, 2018.
The Passive Long-Term Growth Pool offers a well-diversified investment option using low-cost ETFs. It is invested across a variety of Vanguard Exchange Traded Funds.
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.
Allows donors who maintain a minimum fund balance of $250,000 or more to recommend a strategic alliance with a qualified investment institution. The FFTC Investment Committee must review and approve all investment alliance managers.
Current FFTC Approved Investment Alliance Managers
Bank of America Merrill Lynch
BB&T
BNY Mellon (Charitable Trusts)
Bragg Financial Advisors, Inc.
Brown Brothers Harriman
Carolinas Investment Consulting
Carroll Financial Associates, Inc.
Charles Schwab
Collwick Capital, LLC
Colony Family Offices
F&M Bank
Fifth Third Bank
GreerWalker Wealth Management
MBL Advisors, A McColl Bros. Lockwood Company
Morgan Stanley
Novare Capital Management
Oppenheimer & Co.
Piedmont Partners
River Birch Capital, LLC
Sterling Capital Management
Tocqueville Asset Management
UBS Financial
U.S. Trust
Vanguard
Veris Wealth Partners
Wells Fargo
For investment information for the Greater Charlotte Cultural Trust, visit the GCCT page.
Foundation For The Carolinas does not provide tax, legal or investment advice. The information contained here is general in nature and is not intended to be a substitute for consulting your legal, tax or investment advisor regarding your particular situation. Any performance data is based on past performance and is no guarantee of future results.
FFTC Investment Performance
Investment Forms
