As one example, the university’s Investment Office is working to increase its DEI impact externally by:
- Investing in Screendoor Partners, a venture capital fund committed to supporting managers that have exhibited a commitment to DEI, including underrepresented fund managers
- Collaborating with the National Association of Investment Companies (NAIC) to increase outreach and engagement with managers that support DEI principles
- Working with the Global Economics Group to participate in the Knight Foundation Diversity of Asset Managers Research Series initiative
In addition, the U-M Treasurer’s Office recently launched the Community Impact Banking Program (CIBP), a pilot partnership between the university and ten community and regional banks intended to leverage the U-M’s deposits into quantifiable, impactful community benefits in Ann Arbor, Dearborn, Flint and Detroit. With the assistance of participating banks, the university is developing subprograms focused on financial literacy, down-payment assistance, small business lending, breaking the payday lending cycle and related topics.
In the coming year, B&F will work to identify additional opportunities for working with a wide range of external partners in order to establish programs that improve DEI impact broadly.
Responsible Unit: Business & Finance