February 19, 2016-Port Huron, MI-In a globally challenging investment environment, a small community foundation in Michigan’s Thumb Region continues to outperform larger peer groups throughout the country.

According to a recent press release from Commonfund, based on their survey of more than 800 colleges and universities throughout America, the average investment return for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2015 was 2.4%. The Community Foundation of St. County, with a relatively modest total asset base of $50 + million announced its investment returns for the same period were 4.6%. According to the same press release, the average college and university investment performance for the period ending June 30, 2014 was 15.5% while the Community Foundation’s return for the same period was 17.8%.

Compared to other community foundations in Michigan, who reported an average investment return of 4.6% in 2014 according to the Council of Michigan Foundations, the Community Foundation of St. Clair County had an investment return of 6.44% in that same time period.

While no comprehensive summary report has yet been released on the overall investment performance of community foundations for the year-ending December 31, 2015, a sampling of those reporting on-line from California, Boston and Oregon showed mostly negative returns as low as -3.5% by much larger community foundations.

The performance of the Community Foundation of St. Clair County’s investments in 2015 mirrors its relative success from 2014 as well, with a total return of 2.4% for the year ending December 31, 2015.

“Since the recession of 2008 and 2009 our investments have actually done quite well,” said Randy Maiers, president of the Community Foundation of St. Clair County. “We have an outstanding advisor, a talented committee, and we avoid an overly complicated investment approach.”

Maiers added that the Foundation doesn’t try to match the market highs, but has also been able to avoid the market lows. “We keep in mind the perspectives of our donors, and the trust they have placed in us to manage their charitable gifts,” he said. “So we need to be able to explain and justify our investments in plain language to our donors.”

The Community Foundation of St. Clair County was created in 1944 and is the oldest and largest foundation in Michigan’s Thumb Region. Its assets under management include Studio1219.com, the Blue Water River Walk, four community funds, three school district funds, and more than 100 other endowed funds.

Contact: Randy Maiers 810-984-4761 

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