People. Planet. Profit.
The primary goal of RISE is to provide an educational environment for Middlebury students to learn about investing from both a traditional viewpoint and a sustainability viewpoint. Approaching investing with these strategies is one of the cornerstones of the Socially Responsible Investment (SRI) club and thus, by investing in financial markets using these beliefs, RISE furthers SRI's club mission.
The second objective of RISE is to garner long-term capital gains by investing primarily in equities, but also in other investment vehicles, that meet environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards and that have above average potential to appreciate in value. We believe that companies that are environmentally and socially conscious are strongly positioned to maintain market share and succeed in the future, making them solid candidates for long-term investments.
History
The idea for RISE came about in the fall of 2013 and officially started in January of 2014. The group was motivated by individuals of the Socially Responsible Investment (SRI) club who wanted to make an impact on the management of Middlebury's endowment and increase awareness around environmental, social, and governance (ESG) investing and other forms of socially responsible and sustainable investing. In the spring of 2014, the group was seeded with $150,000 of Middlebury College's endowment to invest in global securities. Our constitution and charter from our founding are available as well.
What we do...
RISE seeks investments with both financial and sustainable strengths, adhering to traditional fundamental and technical security analyses, and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) analysis. We accomplish this by taking a holistic approach to investment research and evaluation, integrating multiple dimensions to ensure that both financial returns and long-term sustainability are prioritized. Our approach includes macroeconomic analysis, industry-specific market evaluation, and a deep dive into company fundamentals, enabling us to identify investments with robust financial potential and alignment with responsible, future-forward practices.
By combining traditional financial analysis with a strong commitment to sustainability, RISE ensures that each investment decision balances risk and reward while promoting positive social and environmental outcomes. This multifaceted approach allows us to identify opportunities that offer both substantial value creation and the potential to contribute to a more sustainable and responsible future.