Aussie Investment Fund with a Philanthropic Bent

A group of prominent Australian fund managers have joined forces to establish a single listed investment company which will have the added benefit of supporting Australian children’s charities.

The new group says fund managers involved are waiving all performance and investment fees, with 1 per cent of the assets then being donated to a select group of children’s charities each year.

Wilson Asset Management Fund Manager and Chairman, Geoff Wilson says the Future Generation Investment Fund is a first in the Australian market.

“The fund has dual objectives: to provide investors with diversified exposure to Australian equities with fund managers’ various investment strategies and styles, and make a financial contribution to charities supporting children at risk.

“The Company will invest its capital with fund managers who have agreed to provide their services for 0% management fees and 0% performance fees.

“The pro bono support of these fund managers, as well as various service providers, will allow the Company to donate 1% of its assets each year to Australian children’s charities. Where forgone fees are greater than the charitable donation, the balance will be for the benefit of shareholders.

“Investors can access prominent Australian fund managers in a single investment vehicle while also helping to improve the lives of children at risk. Because there are no management and no performance fees, the Future Generation Investment Fund model delivers exceptional value to shareholders.

“The Company offers investors the benefits of the listed investment company structure, with the objective of providing fully franked dividends,” he said.

He says the Future Generation Investment Fund Limited is raising money through a capital raising of up to $200 million (the ‘Offer’). Investors can subscribe for shares (with one option attaching to each share) which are offered at a subscription price of $1.10 per share.  The Offer is expected to close on September 3 2014.

“This would not be possible without the generous support of the fund managers who have agreed to provide capacity to the Company in their managed funds at no cost,” Wilson said.

The participating fund managers include –

• Coopers Investors
• Bennelong Australian Equity Partners
• Paradice Investment Management
• Wilson Asset Management (International)
• Eley Griffiths Group
• Discovery Asset Management
• Smallco Investment Management
• Lanyon Investment Management
• Regal Funds Management
• Bennelong Long Short Equity Management
• LHC Capital
• Optimal Fund Management
• Watermark Funds Management
• Sandon Capital

The following charities are being supported as part of this investment:

• Act for Kids
• Australian Children’s Music Foundation
• Australian Indigenous Education Foundation
• Lighthouse Foundation
• Kids Helpline
• Raise
• The Mirabel Foundation
• Variety
• United Way Australia
• Youth Off the Streets
• Debra
• Giant Steps
• Youth Focus