Investment policies

Investment and spending policies

We have a diversified asset allocation and set high performance standards for our investment managers. During the past decade, the Foundation has increased the proportion of alternative investments while decreasing its fixed income allocation.

Total fund return (as of 9/30/2024)

  • 1 Year: 20.0%
  • 5 Year: 10.4%
  • 10 Year: 8.3%
  • 20 Year: 8.1%

The board of directors annually reviews the Foundation's spending policy to ensure that our endowment continues to grow as we work to meet the needs of the people of Rhode Island. Our current spending policy of between 5.0 and 5.75 percent (including a support fee) is calculated over a 16-quarter trailing average. This allows us to provide a predictable stream of grants, while maintaining a prudent rate of endowment growth.

Maximizing impact in the community

We are committed to carefully managing our operating expenses with the goal of maximizing our investments in Rhode Island. Our operating expenses average approximately 1% of our total assets, which is well within industry standards for community foundations.

Recent financial documents

The Foundation's work is guided by our Five-Year Action Plan.

We have undergone a comprehensive effort to solicit community input, aimed at informing an evolved mission and Five-Year Action Plan. Learn more about what we discovered matters most to Rhode Islanders, and how we can best apply our resources and capabilities to address community priorities. 
 

Rhode Island Foundation Five-Year Action Plan