ESG Investment Primer
Donor centered cultivation and stewardship. Demonstrating impact. Mission driven.
As fundraisers, we understand these principles. But we may not be familiar with mission-related investment strategies - and how ESG investment options can support our fundraising efforts.
What is ESG investing? And why is it important?
To demonstrate a more wholistic alignment to mission, many nonprofits have recently considered environmental, social, and governance (ESG) investing. The increased use of donor advised funds and the scrutiny on endowment funds might also provide reasons to consider ESG investment options. Donors of planned gifts with long investment horizons such as charitable gift annuities, pooled income funds, and charitable remainder trusts may have an interest in ESG investments as well.
Learn more about where philanthropy and ESG investing intersect from our panel of experts. Invite a colleague from your finance office to join us too!
Meet our Panel
Nick Ashburn is the Head of Responsible Investing for PNC Bank. In this role, he leads the investment, operational, and product strategy for Responsible Investing in the Asset Management Group, which includes advancing the firm’s research and analytical capabilities, developing content and brand awareness, and providing RI investment solutions for individuals, families, and institutions. Prior to joining PNC, Nick led impact investing research and education at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and was a host on SiriusXM’s Business Radio channel. Nick has held teaching positions at the University of Texas-Austin and the University of Pennsylvania, and he was a Fulbright Fellow in Austria. He has also worked in community development venture capital, nonprofits, and strategy consulting. He holds a master’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania and a bachelor’s degree from Belmont University.
Megan Fielding is a senior director and member of the responsible investing (RI) team at Nuveen, the investment management arm of TIAA. Megan leads the RI interface that brings RI to clients, working with Nuveen’s Global Client Group and TIAA to address investor goals and critical needs within the responsible investing landscape. Additionally, she collaborates with Global Marketing on RI content, thought leadership and events to promote Nuveen’s RI expertise. Megan also serves on the Nuveen Inclusion and Diversity Council to build and support employee engagement on I & D initiatives.
Prior to Nuveen, Megan was head of investments and business development at MicroPlace, an Ebay subsidiary and fintech platform focused on the alleviation of global poverty. Earlier, Megan held positions in marketing/sales, product development and investment consulting at financial organizations located in San Francisco and New York.
Megan received her M.A. in International Studies from the University of San Francisco, graduated cum laude with her B.A. in Economics from Wheaton College (MA), and is a Certified Investment Management Analyst ®.
Nev Major is the Director of Gift Planning Administration at The Nature Conservancy. Nev has worked at The Nature Conservancy for over 24 years starting out as a member of their donor services team answering phone calls and emails from TNC’s supporters. He has worked in the Gift Planning program since 2003, and has been in his current position as Director of Gift Planning Administration for nearly 10 years. He oversees the management of The Nature Conservancy’s trusted asset program, donor advised fund, gifts of securities, estate administration and planned giving fundraiser support. During more normal times, he enjoys camping, hiking and spending time with friends and family enjoying the outdoors of the Virginia Piedmont and Blue Ridge mountains. He is a current member of the Board of Directors for the American Council on Gift Annuities (ACGA).
Moderator
Dan Greenspon is Founder and CEO of DG Capital Insights, LLC (DGCI), a philanthropic consulting firm focused on donor-advised funds, private foundations, and planned giving technology, administration, marketing, and fundraising projects. Dan has spent more than 12 years in the charitable gift administration marketplace with leading firms like Vanguard Charitable, National Philanthropic Trust, and most recently RenPSG.
Dan’s current work includes roles at firms like Charitable Solutions, LLC as Vice President of Strategic Partnerships and Business Development. In this role, Dan helps financial and non-profit institutions, as well as financial and fundraising professionals to unlock more illiquid or complex assets for philanthropic purposes. He also assists institutions with their marketing and messaging around the philanthropic conversation specific to their readiness to respond to their donors questions and situations concerning complex asset donations.
Dan earned two bachelor degrees in both Economics and Urban Planning at the University of Pittsburgh. He also holds a Non-Profit Management Certificate from the University of Pittsburgh and obtained the Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy (CAP) designation from The American College in 2011.
