Established in 1997, the Australian Communities Foundation (previously the Melbourne Community Foundation) aims to achieve social and environmental justice by tackling inequality, strengthening democracy, supporting Indigenous communities, protecting the environment and promoting culture.
In 2019, the Australian Communities Foundation announced its intention to transition to a 100% responsibly invested portfolio. When selecting new external investment managers, the organization includes ESG considerations in its due diligence and monitors their responsible investment activities throughout the business relationship. Additionally, it requests managers to apply negative screening criteria on tobacco, gambling, alcohol, fossil fuels, anti-climate advocacy, weapons, violations of indigenous rights, modern slavery, pornography, animal cruelty and uranium. Moreover, the Australian Communities Foundation supports resolutions that promote gender diversity, responsible action on climate change, ethical and sustainable business practices and support indigenous communities. To further its commitment to responsible investing, the organization became a signatory to the UN PRI in November 2020.
Responsible and Impact Investment Policy 2020