The Russell Family Foundation (TRFF) seeks to impact people by combining social, environmental and financial goals into their investment portfolio. Their vision has helped to challenge typical normalities in investing that are set only on financial returns. TRFF seeks to achieve returns on all three key areas:

• Socially, benefits range from job creation through investing in sustainable forestry to working with universities across the world in DivestInvest strategies aimed at reducing climate change and global warming.
• Environmentally, TRFF have pledged to divest at least 5% in assets and reinvest into climate solutions such as renewable energy, energy efficiency, clean technology and clean energy access.
• Financially, leading asset managers at TRFF have realised that impact investing has financial benefits in generating sustainable returns capable of providing for their shareholders. This has inspired more global funds to look for ethical investments and financial benefit from environmentally sustainable practices.

TRFF’s philosophy is focused on giving. They aim to make overall quality of life for people better; by investing in them and developing relationships that go deeper than just business. This idea is seen through grant-making, company-manned programs, special initiatives as well as impact investing. Putting as many assets as possible toward sustainable community change is paramount.

TRFF developed a framework encompassing a range of tools to realise impact across the portfolio:

• Negative environmental, social and governance (ESG) screening, including fossil fuels and carbon intensive industries.
• Positive ESG screening and shareholder engagement, such as a tilt towards clean technology.
• ESG integration, for example investing in companies that help reduce climate change or tackle resource scarcity.
• Thematic/place-based investing, such as sustainable forestry, equity, inclusion and affordable housing.
• Capacity building/program-related investments that have the potential for environmental or social returns.

TRFF’s impact model is made up of 18% traditional investment and 82% impact investment. From 2014-2019, impact investment weighting increased from 7% to 82%, showing the DivestInvest strategy that was implemented.

Investing resources and relationships in grassroots leaders, environmental sustainability, and global peace.

The Russell family sold Frank Russell Company to Northwestern Mutual Life, and with part of the sale proceeds, Jane and George Russell funded The Russell Family Foundation in 1999.

Current funding is processed through the income provided by the organisation’s investment portfolio and partnership investments.

Find out more