A laser-focus on positive outcomes

Thanks to improvements in how charitable dollars are invested, Quad Cities Community Foundation donors are now able to grant even more from their funds each year to the community—and to causes meaningful to them.

Investment Committee Members

Jeff Trahan, Chair
Vice President & Treasurer
Deere & Company

Travis J. Guy, CFA
Portfolio Manager, Public Fixed Income
Modern Woodmen of America

Hunt Harris
Former CEO
Star Forms and Isabel Bloom

Adam Kunkel
Principal
Rock River Family Office, LLC

Randy Miller
Former CFO
Triumph Bank (retired)

Tom Thoms
Consultant
Former CEO
Thoms Proestler Company – TPC

Marie Ziegler
Former Vice President & Deputy Financial Officer
Deere & Company (retired)

Led by experts from across the Quad Cities who serve on the Community Foundation’s investment committee, a laser-focus on maximizing positive outcomes through charitable giving has guided an enhanced investing strategy resulting in nearly $500,000 in investment fee savings annually.

“The Community Foundation exists to support our region’s philanthropy—and to do that in the best possible way,” said Jeff Trahan, chair of the investment committee and a member of the board of directors. He is also vice president and treasurer at John Deere. “There are astute ways any investor can minimize expenses to maximize the impact of their returns, and the Community Foundation has done that. More dollars will now be available to support people in need and promising opportunities in our regional community.”

The work started five years ago when the investment committee launched an in-depth process to assess the Community Foundation’s investment structure and performance. The committee’s assessment identified steps to take to improve both asset allocation and management. Supported by data from the Community Foundation’s consulting firm FEG Investment Advisors, the committee moved assets from more than 200 mutual funds to established passively managed index strategies benchmarked to key performance indicators. “In doing so, we were able to both dramatically reduce investment fees and increase investment returns,” Trahan added.

Tim O’Donnell of FEG supplies the investment committee with data and market forecasting so that the local committee can make allocation decisions in the best interest of the Quad Cities region. 

“We’re giving the committee all of the information they need to reach an independent decision,” O’Donnell said. “The Quad Cities has the distinct advantage of a very independent, smart, community-minded investment committee. That is not always the case for a foundation with an $100+ million portfolio. The Quad Cities community is very lucky to have that expertise right here.”

The investment committee is made up of experienced corporate and small business financial advisors, as well as individual investors (a full list is at right).

While donor contributions are pooled together in donor-selected investment approaches (download our investment options fact sheet here) for long-term gain and investing goals, the Community Foundation has also launched a new program for philanthropists who establish permanent endowment funds of $1 million or more. The Signature Investment Program unlocks the opportunity for donors to leverage the expertise of their personal investment advisor to manage donated funds as a separately managed account.  

“This new program,” Trahan added, “is a wonderful opportunity to combine the expertise of a donor’s own trusted local advisors and the Community Foundation’s knowledge to support philanthropists—and ultimately, our entire region.”

To learn more about how gifts are invested at the Community Foundation visit here, or to learn more about the Signature Investment Program, download the complete guide.