First Nations and funders are leveraging Coast Funds’ strong governance and diversified investment strategies to build a resilient, self-determined source of revenue to permanently finance stewardship authorities for future generations.
First Nations and funders are working with Coast Funds to leverage our institutional-scale investment portfolio, good governance, and strong financial performance to increase investment earnings to finance First Nations’ self-determined stewardship efforts now, and for generations to come.
Strong investment performance
Since 2007, First Nations have received an 8% average annual rate of return. Coast Funds’ total returns over the past five years have been: 10.9% (2021), 8.7% (2020), 13.4%, (2019), 3.4% (2018), and 9.4% (2017). Founding contributions to Coast Funds of $55.8 million in 2007 have returned $67 million to date—a 120% return on investment that will continue to grow each year, in perpetuity.
A diversified, pooled fund
All funds managed at Coast Funds are invested together across six diversified asset classes, safeguarding and growing First Nations’ own-source contributions and their funders’ donations. Coast Funds invests in long-term assets such as a values-aligned private infrastructure fund that is only accessible for institutional investors. To learn more about Coast Funds’ investment diversification, see our INVESTMENT GUIDELINES.
Indigenous-led investment strategy
In addition to reporting on our socially responsible investment practices, disclosing Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) factors, Coast Funds explicitly focuses on Indigenous Rights reporting, what we refer to as ESG+I. With this focus, we manage the investment portfolio with a long-term, sustainable strategy, creating strong returns for First Nations without compromising our core values:
Benefits of investing at scale
By making contributions to their endowed funds within Coast Funds’ $89 million portfolio, First Nations receive the benefit of collective scale and investment management expertise. All aspects of Coast Funds’ Indigenous-led governance, operations, and services are self-funded at a level that is of significantly lower cost, and considerably higher quality than individual investment funds can achieve.
Continuous learning and demonstrating impact
We work closely with First Nations to learn from every initiative financed through Coast Funds. Together, we monitor, evaluate, and learn how investments in First Nations’ stewardship authorities, Guardian programs, and conservation projects are strengthening environmental conservation, economic prosperity, social empowerment, and cultural vitality across the Great Bear Rainforest and Haida Gwaii. Learn more about WELL-BEING OUTCOMES.
In keeping with our priorities of uplifting First Nations and increasing both the sustainability and self-determination of stewardship revenue sources, Coast Funds offers two funds: the Stewardship Endowment Fund and the One Generation Fund. With every new contribution, the First Nation’s governing council and/or their funder determine which long-term investment fund to deposit their funds.
Coast Funds manages the funds entrusted to us for First Nations governments’ current stewardship financing needs along with the enduring permanence of the funds for future generations. By partnering with us to build the value of their endowed funds, First Nations are working to secure sustainable, self-determined financing for their stewardship authorities for generations to come.
Below are the straightforward steps to making a contribution to your endowed funds at Coast Funds:
Partnering, together
The First Nations government and/or their donor or partner, decide to engage our team to build the value of the First Nation’s endowed funds with Coast Funds. See our services supporting FIRST NATIONS-LED FUNDRAISING to learn more.
Securing the contribution
The First Nation’s governing council resolves to make an own-source contribution to their stewardship endowment at Coast Funds—or the First Nation’s donor or partner decides to make a donation to Coast Funds for the First Nation they’re supporting.
Selecting the long-term fund
The First Nation’s governing council (or their donor) select either the Stewardship Endowment Fund or the One Generation Fund for the donation to Coast Funds.
Making the contribution
Coast Funds provides our simple deed of gift for the First Nation’s governing council (or their donor) to make the contribution, directing it to their chosen long-term fund. The council (or their donor) reviews and signs the deed, and then deposits the funds with Coast Funds. If the contribution is from a donor, Coast Funds administers all aspects of charitable receipting.
Investing the contribution
Coast Funds invests the contribution within our diversified investment portfolio within 15 business days. The funds begin generating investment income for the First Nation that will finance their stewardship authority in the next fiscal year.
Annual earnings in perpetuity
Coast Funds provides each First Nations with their net investment earnings to finance their stewardship authorities, Guardian programs, and conservation initiatives every year in March following our annual audit.
Financing stewardship authorities every year
The First Nation’s governing council decides the amount of earnings to draw from Coast Funds to finance their stewardship efforts each year. With council direction, the First Nation’s staff form their annual stewardship or Guardian program budget, providing it and an overview of stewardship priorities for the year to our staff to APPLY, thus securing operating funds each year.
The Coastal Stewardship Network is supporting its member First Nations as they’ve established sophisticated monitoring programs and their analyses informing vital environmental and resource management decisions.
The Heiltsuk Nation is ensuring that community voices are heard and important resources are protected through their stewardship work.
After a forced relocation separated the Gwa’sala-‘Nakwaxda’xw Nations from their homelands, the creation of a Guardian Watchmen program is helping strengthen the Nations’ stewardship practices and cultural connections.
After Ḵ’alii Aksim Lisims (Nass River) oolichan were designated a species-at-risk, the Nisg̱a’a Lisims Government undertook a multi-year research project that would protect their connection to the culturally important fish.
K’ómoks First Nation have stewarded the lands and waters of their vast territory since time immemorial. Today, that ancestral responsibility is carried out in large part by the K’ómoks Guardian department.
Haida Rediscovery camps are revitalizing Haida culture and creating the next generation of leaders to care for and sustain the lands and waters of Haida Gwaii.
The Gitga’at Guardians protect the remote territory of the Nation while providing local employment opportunities.
The Gitga’at Nation is protecting ecosystems, wildlife, and cultural assets in their territory through monitoring and research.
In 2009, the Haida Nation and Province of BC signed a historic protocol agreement that ensures protection for cultural features and sensitive ecosystems on Haida Gwaii.
The Mamalilikulla Guardians are re-asserting the Nation’s presence in their territories, conducting research and restoration, monitoring industrial and recreational activity, and protecting cultural assets. With the Nation’s 10-year stewardship vision, they are mapping a path forward to do even more.