The mission of the Sustainable Student Investment Fund portfolio is to invest in companies that are contributing to a more sustainable world.
The fund was established by the generous donation of the San Francisco State University Foundation Board, led by Hall of Fame alumna, Neda Nobari. This donation consisted of funding a brokerage account with $250,000. The fund was started in early 2022 with four students. Currently, there are four students operating the fund and the balance as of September 14, 2023, is $278,000.
The Sustainable Student Investment Fund is looking for students who are passionate about investing and about a clean environment future as well as social equity and good governance (ESG). To become part of the club, each student must enroll in the course, FIN, ECON, ENV 651. In this course, we learn about the principles of sustainable investment and traditional portfolio management skills. This course will set up the students to actively invest real capital similar to an actual portfolio manager. As portfolio managers, students narrow down a list of companies that look investable. Next, each student will evaluate the ESG criteria. If it meets our threshold of ESG criteria, we then run a valuation model to determine whether now is a good time to buy/sell the stock or bond of the company analyzed. Students decide what to buy and sell and when to buy or sell. An annual presentation to the San Francisco State University Foundation Board is expected.
