INVESTMENT POLICY
Organizational Structure
The Catholic Foundation for the Diocese of Greensburg (The Foundation) is a not-for-profit, tax-exempt corporation established by the Diocese of Greensburg (Diocese) in 1986.
Effective July 1, 2009, new by-laws were adopted for The Foundation. These by-laws provide for a two-tier management structure designed to enhance monitoring of policies and procedures and ensure effective accomplishment of its mission to serve the parishes and schools of the Diocese.
Two levels of oversight are established by the bylaws:
- Members of the Corporation
- Board of Trustees
The Members of the Corporation establish the philosophy, objectives, and purpose. The Board of Trustees exercises general management, monitors the ordinary business affairs of The Foundation, and implements policies and procedures. They also monitor The Foundation’s external investment portfolio manager to ensure compliance with its investment policy.
Investments Policy and Endowments
The Catholic Foundation endowments consist of approximately 200 individual funds established for a variety of purposes. Its endowments include both donor-restricted funds and funds designated by the Board of Trustees to function as endowments. As required by generally accepted accounting principles, net assets associated with endowment funds, including funds designated by Boards of Trustees to function as endowments, are classified and reported based on the existence or absence of donor-imposed restrictions.
The endowments within the Managed Balanced Portfolio of The Catholic Foundation have adopted a Total Return Policy (TRP). The TRP suggests an amount to be distributed, which is designed to allow for a reasonable stream of distributions while preserving the value of the endowment against inflation and a volatile market. The calculation applies an applicable distribution percentage (based on investment allocation of the endowment) to the average value of the endowment over a period of 12 calendar quarters (three years).
The Foundation employs a conservative investment methodology for its endowments. A high priority is placed on the preservation of principal; therefore, a diversified, high-quality, low-turnover, long-term, investment strategy is used. The primary objective is a total return exceeding the relevant indices over an extended period of time. The fund manager is provided with investment guidelines. These guidelines, modeled after guidelines suggested by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, exclude investments in companies whose products or services are morally or socially inconsistent with the teachings of the Catholic Church.
The target asset allocation is 70 percent equities and 30 percent fixed income securities. Investments are to be reasonably diversified by industry and companies within an industry where exposure to any single issuer will not exceed five percent of the portfolio market value. Exceptions are made for U.S. Treasuries and Agencies.
The fund manager is not permitted to purchase equity securities on margin, sell short, trade commodities futures, or deal in put or call option contracts. Investments are to be made in marketable securities, which therefore excludes private placements and public issues for which the market is severely restricted. Derivatives and leverage are to be avoided.
