Jewish Community Foundation San Diego manages charitable assets for individuals, families and organizations.

Partnering with world-class advisors, we follow best practices to balance risk and return for a variety of time horizons and impact objectives.

For Investment Information Inquiries

Eli Landau

Eli Landau,
Chief Financial Officer

858-279-2740


Investment Pools

JCF offers six different pools to meet the charitable objectives of donors and nonprofit organizations. The Foundation’s Investment Committee and independent investment consultant, Pavilion, a Mercer Practice, oversee asset allocation, manager selection and performance monitoring for the pools. Investment returns are reported monthly.

Granting Time Horizon

Actual Allocation as of June 30, 2024

Performance as of June 30, 2024

Short Term Pool: 0-2 years

Objectives: The cash equivalent pool is designed for fundholders who wish to make grants immediately or who cannot sustain any loss of principal over any time horizon.

Cash Equivalents
100%

1 year: 5.3%
3 year: 2.9%
5 year: 2.1%


Mid Term Pool: 3-7 years

Objectives: Designed to be moderately conservative and emphasize shorter-term income over longer-term growth.

Fixed Income
75%

Equity
25%

1 year: 6.2%
3 year: -0.8%
5 year: 2.5%


Long Term ESG Pool: 7+ years

Objectives: Suitable for modest, fixed annual granting objectives. The risk and return profile is designed to be similar to that of the Endowment Pool, although the Long Term ESG Pool will remain liquid and will not include an allocation to private/alternative investments.

Equity
70%

Fixed Income
30%

1 year: 12.2%
3 year: 2.4%
5 year: 6.6%

Long Term Index Pool: 7+ years

Objectives: Designed for a 100% passive (index fund) investment approach. The risk and return profile is designed to be similar to the Long Term ESG and Endowment Pools. The Long Term Index Pool will not include an allocation to real assets.

Equity
75%

Fixed Income
25%

1 year: 13.7%
3 year: 3.2%
5 year: 8.2%

Impact Investment Pool1: 7+ years

Objectives: Suitable for modest, fixed annual granting objectives. The risk and return profile is designed to be similar to that of the Long Term ESG and Endowment Pools. The pool applies a Jewish lens across all asset classes to support environmental and social impact and Israel.

Learn More About our Impact Investment Pool

Equity
69%

Fixed Income
25%

Private Assets
6%

1 year: 12.6%
3 year: 3.8%
5 year: 8.2%


Endowment Pool1: 20+ years

Objectives: Designed for endowment-like objectives and prudent, sustainable, planned spending policies consistent with the time horizon for the Pool’s investment objectives. The Endowment Pool is managed consistent with endowment best practices, and includes allocations to private/alternative illiquid investments.

Equity
42%

Private Assets
28%

Fixed Income
17%

Hedge Funds
13%

1 year: 10.9%
3 year: 2.7%
5 year: 7.2%

1Distributions of $250,000 or more will require notice of 90 days and may be subject to hold back, depending on operational or liquidity constraints. Any balance held back will be distributed when constraints no longer apply.

Investment Pool Frequently Asked Questions

These are some of the most commonly-asked questions.

How many investment choices are available?

The Foundation provides a pooled investment program, which offers professional management and diversification. There are currently six investment choices to meet philanthropic objectives. More details are available in our Guide to Investment Pools.

How are changes made to the Investment Pools?

The Investment Committee, along with the Foundation’s investment consultant, actively monitor asset allocation and manager performance to ensure that the pools continue to meet their objectives. If necessary, changes may be made in response to manager underperformance, new research, market conditions or other factors.

What are the major differences between the Long Term Index Pool, Long Term ESG Pool, the Impact Investment Pool, and the Endowment Pool?

The Jewish Community Foundation offers four long-term fund choices to our donors and agencies.

The Long Term Index Pool is a passively managed pool with low fees.

The Long Term ESG Pool offers broad diversification and is designed to support annual distributions of 5%, while maintaining the principal for inflation. Managers are also selected based on their environmental, social and governance (ESG) ratings.

The Impact Investment Pool applies a Jewish lens across all asset classes to achieve a market-rate of financial return and measurable positive environmental and social impact in San Diego, US, international and Israel. The Impact Investment Pool also includes alternative investments for greater diversification, risk reduction and impact.

The Endowment Pool is designed for donors or nonprofits with endowment-like objectives (20+ year horizons). It includes alternative investments for even greater diversification and risk reduction over very long periods.

May I recommend changes to my fund’s investments?

Can I invest my fund in more than one pool?

Yes. However, it is important to note that each one of the pools is designed for a particular timeframe and objective. It may be appropriate to split your fund if you have more than one objective. For example, you may be planning to distribute a large percentage of your fund in the short term while retaining the balance to support smaller grants over the long term. In this case, you may choose to allocate your planned short-term grants to the Short Term Pool while allocating the remaining balance to one of our longer-term pools.

How can I monitor fund performance?

All fund activity is available on the JCFConnect site for donors. Monthly and Quarterly Performance reports are posted on the JCFConnect site. Log into your account via the blue Donor Login button on the upper right section on our website to access that information. Detailed quarterly statements are available by email by request.

Please contact Jeremy Pearl, EVP and CFO, for more information.

Can I select my own investment manager?

For funds with balances exceeding $1 million, the Foundation may approve a custom investment manager to meet the donor’s philanthropic objectives.

Please contact Jeremy Pearl, EVP and CFO, for more information.

Impact Investments

The Jewish Community Foundation provides opportunities to invest a portion of your fund for financial return and impact in San Diego. We expect to be adding opportunities in the future.

Mission Driven Finance’s Advance Strategy: Use the funds in your donor advised fund to advance economic development in San Diego’s underserviced communities while you earn a financial return. Funds are lent to small businesses and nonprofits—organizations that cannot access capital from banks—with attractive rates and terms. For more information on investing in the Advance Strategy, email us here.

Habitat for Humanity Homebuilding Investment Fund: Use funds in your donor advised fund to accelerate the construction of affordable housing in San Diego. This fund is currently closed, but check back soon for the Habitat for Humanity Homebuilding Investment Fund II.

Women’s Empowerment Fund: Invest money from your donor advised fund to help lo- income women small business owners grow their businesses and support their families in San Diego. This fund is currently closed.

 

Learn More About our Impact Investing