Trillium Asset Management's founder, Joan Bavaria, has long been regarded as the "Founding Mother" of Socially Responsible Investment, particularly due to the firm's integration of environmental, social and governance factors in its investment process.
Trillium is a Boston-based investment management firm mainly focused on socially responsible investing (SRI). The firm offers socially conscious investment management for both individuals and institutions, as well as separate advisory services for other financial advisor firms.
Trillium is a fee-only firm, meaning its compensation is based solely on a percentage of clients’ assets under management (AUM). This means that, unlike a fee-based firm, it does not receive any income from outside sources like insurance commissions.
Trillium Asset Management Background
Joan Bavaria founded Trillium Asset Management in 1982 as one of the first investment firms to focus entirely on SRI, sustainability and social responsibility. After her death in 2008, Matthew W. Patsky took over as CEO and has occupied the position ever since. He is a chartered financial analyst (CFA) and has worked in the financial services industry for more than 30 years.
The investment professionals employed at Trillium hold a number of advisory certifications. This list includes multiple CFAs, certified public accountants (CPAs) and certified financial planners (CFPs).
Trillium Asset Management Client Types and Minimum Account Sizes
Trillium works with a wide variety of clients, including individuals with and without a high net worth, trusts, pension plans, profit-sharing plans, Taft-Hartley plans, charitable institutions, for-profit and nonprofit institutional clients, foundations, endowments, registered mutual funds, pooled investment vehicles, private investment funds, businesses and trust programs. Of Trillium’s client accounts, the largest chunk belongs to individuals.
The minimum size for a managed account at Trillium is typically $5 million. However, it does provide some services for individuals or institutions that do not meet that requirement.
Services Offered by Trillium Asset Management
Trillium offers investment management services that align with its mission to invest in a socially responsible and sustainable manner. It does this through a collection of investment strategies that are designed to focus on specific securities or sectors of the market. However, each client will receive customized services, ensuring their personal characteristics are taken into account.
Trillium Asset Management Investment Philosophy
Trillium uses an investing approach that’s focused on environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors. As such, it stays away from investing in sectors like fossil fuels, nuclear power, military weapons systems and tobacco. The firm believes that by investing in sustainability and social responsibility, it can generate stronger returns for its clients, mitigate risks and create a better future for their portfolios and for the world as a whole.
To achieve the best results possible, Trillium seeks to combine several sources of investment research with intense risk management. It uses a combination of equities, fixed-income securities, mutual funds and cash to create clients’ portfolios. The firm provides a number of specific investment strategies:
- Large-cap core
- All-cap core
- Small- & mid-cap core
- Global equity
- Fossil fuel-free core
- Sustainable opportunities
- Growth and income
- Fixed-income
- Private equity, debt, real estate and loans
Trillium Asset Management Fees
Trillium has a particularly simple fee schedule. Accounts under $5 million are subject to a 0.85% annual fee, while accounts over $5 million pay a 0.50% annual fee.
All fees are calculated and owed in advance on a quarterly basis. If your portfolio invests in any funds that are managed by Trillium, the firm will not charge you any additional management fees.
| *Estimated investment management fees do not include brokerage, custodial, third-party manager or other fees, which can vary in amount. | |
| Estimated Investment Management Fees at Trillium Asset Management* | |
| Your Assets | Trillium Asset Management Fee Amount |
| $500K | N/A |
| $1MM | N/A |
| $5MM | $25,000 |
| $10MM | $50,000 |
What to Watch Out For
Trillium Asset Management does not have any disclosures listed on its Form ADV. However, it’s important to note that Trillium’s services are limited to investment management.
Opening an Account With Trillium Asset Management
To open an account with Trillium Asset Management, you’ll first need to be approved. Go online to Trillium’s website to contact a representative that can help you take the first steps towards opening an account. If you prefer working over the phone, you can call the firm as well.
All information is accurate as of the writing of this article.
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