Amherst College
PA-5: Investment Holdings

5.1 Investment holdings disclosure

An institution earns the maximum points available for this indicator when it A) has published a snapshot of the holdings in its investment pool within the previous three years that B) details the amount or percentage allocated to specific funds, companies, and institutions, and C) is inclusive of the combined activities of the institution and all other entities that manage investments on its behalf such as a contracted management company, university system, and/or foundation. Partial points are available and earned as outlined in the Technical Manual.

Measurement

Report on the most recent snapshot available from within the previous three years. 

To qualify, the snapshot must include, at minimum, the predominant asset pool or grouping of assets that is organized primarily to support the institution and reflect its investment policies. In general, this should include long-term reserves and unrestricted investment and endowment funds, including assets managed on the institution’s behalf by other entities. Pensions and other restricted assets may be excluded. 

5.2 Percentage of the investment pool allocated to positive sustainability investments

An institution earns the maximum points available for this indicator when 100 percent of its  investment pool is allocated to A) funds that are explicitly focused on sustainability or environmental, social, and governance (ESG), B) sustainability-focused industries or sectors, C) businesses selected for exemplary sustainability performance using positive screens, D) community development financial institutions (CDFIs), E) place-based investments that target positive social and environmental impacts in economically divested areas, and/or F) green revolving funds seeded from the investment pool. Incremental points are available and earned as outlined in the Technical Manual.

Measurement

Report on the published snapshot provided in indicator 5.1. 

To claim points for a positive sustainability investment, the total pool of assets from which those funds are distributed must be included in the investment pool. For example, to earn points for long-term reserves held in a community development credit union, all of the institution’s long-term reserves must be included in the investment pool.

An allocation may not be counted in more than one category, e.g., funds invested in a Certified B Corporation that operates in the renewable energy sector may be reported as funds allocated to businesses selected for exemplary sustainability performance or funds allocated to sustainability-focused industries or sectors, but not both.

Applicable to institutions with investment pools of $1 million US Dollars (USD) or more.