Six Investment Profiles. One Faith-Aligned Philosophy.
Biblically Responsible Investing, Built Into Your Donor-Advised Fund
When you contribute to a Great Commission Donor-Advised Fund, the assets in the fund are managed with a biblically responsible investing approach. This means the investment process considers both financial stewardship and biblical convictions about the kind of work money supports in the world.
Your role is to choose the investment profile that best fits your giving timeline and grantmaking rhythm. Cru Foundation and its investment partners handle the ongoing management of the fund assets. You can focus on the ministries and charitable organizations you want to support, while the assets are stewarded through a faith-aligned investment process.
What It Means
Biblically responsible investing is aligning investment desicions with what you believe.
Biblically responsible investing, often called BRI, is an investment approach that evaluates portfolio holdings through a biblical values framework. This may include screening out companies whose primary business activities conflict with biblical convictions and seeking investment managers whose approach is consistent with Cru Foundation’s mission and stewardship priorities.
For Christian donors, this matters because giving is not only about where grants eventually go, but also how charitable assets are stewarded while they are waiting to be granted. A donor-advised fund may hold assets for a short time or for many years, depending on a donor’s giving rhythm. During that time, many donors want the fund’s investment approach to reflect the same convictions that shape their generosity.
The Great Commission Donor Advised Fund is managed with support from Cornerstone Management, a Christian investment consultant. The six investment profiles differ in their balance of asset types and time horizons, but each is guided by the same desire to steward charitable assets in a way that reflects biblical responsibility.
How It Works
What biblically responsible investing looks like in your fund account.
Three things distinguish how the GCDAF approaches biblically responsible investing:
- A Christian investment consultant manages the assets. Cornerstone Management has worked alongside Cru Foundation for more than 22 years. They apply biblical screens across the portfolio and select managers whose investment philosophy aligns with Cru Foundation's mission.
- You choose a profile, not individual holdings. The six profiles below range from cash-equivalent to growth-oriented. You select based on your time horizon and giving plans. The underlying screening and management happen consistently across all six.
- Growth in your fund account is tax-free and available for grants. Any growth in the assets you have contributed stays in the fund account, ready for you to advise grants to Cru, your church, or other charitable organizations.
Gifts to the GCDAF are irrevocable and are under the exclusive legal control of Cru Foundation.
| Asset Allocation Profile | Fee |
| Ultra-Conservative | 0.58% |
| Conservative | 0.43% |
| Moderate Conservative | 0.44% |
| Moderate | 0.45% | Growth | 0.46% | Aggressive | 0.47% |
The Six Profiles
Choose the profile that fits your giving horizon.
100% Cash and Equivalents.
The Ultra Conservative Profile is invested in a money market mutual fund. This profile seeks the preservation of principal while generating a level of interest greater than that of a bank account. This profile is highly liquid and would be appropriate for investors with a time horizon of less than one year. The Ultra Conservative Profile is subject to a small amount of interest rate risk but does not contain credit or equity (stock) risk.
0% Equity / 100% Fixed Income.The Conservative Profile is invested in fixed income and cash securities. This profile seeks preservation of principal, but over long periods of time is expected to generate a higher return than would the Ultra Conservative Profile. The Conservative Profile is subject to interest rate risk and credit risk but does not contain equity (stock) risk.
20% Equity / 80% Fixed Income.
The Moderate Conservative Profile blends equity and fixed income securities but primarily utilizes fixed income. This investment profile is subject to low overall volatility but does include some equity (stock) risk. It should be used for funds where some degree of equity exposure is warranted but a lower risk profile is still desired. The recommended time horizon is two to five years. Over long periods of time, the Moderate Conservative Profile is expected to generate higher returns than would the Conservative Profile.
40% Equity / 60% Fixed Income.
The Moderate Profile blends equity and fixed income securities and is oriented more toward fixed income. This profile will exhibit a moderate degree of volatility in principal value and should be used for funds where both growth and some control in volatility are goals. The recommended time horizon is several years or longer. Over long periods of time, the Moderate Profile is expected to generate higher returns than would the Moderate Conservative Profile.
60% Equity / 40% Fixed Income.
The Growth Profile also blends equity and fixed income securities but is oriented more toward equities. This investment profile is subject to moderately high volatility and is suitable for funds with a growth objective. The Growth Profile should be used for funds that have a time horizon of at least five to ten years, such as endowment-like funds. Over long periods of time, the Growth Profile is expected to generate higher returns than would the Moderate Profile.
70% Equity / 30% Fixed Income
The Aggressive Profile blends equity and fixed income securities but is equity-oriented. This profile will exhibit a high degree of volatility in principal value and should be used for funds with a growth objective and long time horizon. Over long periods of time, the Aggressive Profile is expected to generate the highest returns and volatility among the investment profiles. The profile should be selected only by donors who are the most able and willing to accept high levels of volatility with the DAF assets.
*All investments are subject to risk. No investment approach ensures growth or prevents loss, especially in a declining market. Cru Foundation has absolute discretion as to the investment of the assets of the fund and shall not be required to consult with either the Advisor(s) or any of the designated charities, as to such investment. Cru Foundation makes no representations or warranties as to the performance of its investment of the assets and is under no obligation to achieve a particular return on investment.
Have questions about biblically responsible investing or your fund account?
Choosing the right investment profile is rarely the hardest part of stewarding a donor-advised fund. The harder questions are about timing, family involvement, and how the giving fits the broader rhythm of your stewardship. Send a few details and someone from our team will reach out to help you think it through.
Prefer to call or email? Reach us at (800) 449-5454 or hello@crufoundation.org.
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* The content on this page is for educational and informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal, tax, or financial advice. Please consult with qualified professional advisors regarding your specific situation before making any giving or planning decisions.