Advice on aligning investments with philanthropy in high demand

Yasmine Raso

Senior Journalist

25 February 2025

Another values-based investing avenue has emerged as demand for specialist advice related to aligning philanthropy and investment reaches an all-time high, according to a specialist investment manager.

Chris Cuffe, co-founder and Chief Investment Officer at Third Link Investment Managers, said financial advisers had increasingly incorporated investment strategies with social impact and positive benefit into their wealth management offering, as clients continuously looked to generate wealth at the same time as contributing to social outcomes.

Cuffe’s Third Link Growth Fund has donated more than $22 million to charities assisting children, education and social welfare since its inception in 2008.

“Investors are increasingly drawn to charitable and values-based investing. They rely on their professional advisers to guide them in structuring their giving while maintaining financial stability,” Cuffe said.

“Many investors want to incorporate responsible investment strategies but hesitate due to concerns about complexity.

“The Third Link Growth Fund offers a seamless solution- enabling investors to support charitable causes while maintaining strong financial returns. With a proven track record of competitive long-term performance, it’s an attractive option for clients looking to invest
with purpose.”

The fund leverages a unique model and fee structure, where it invests in a portfolio of select Australian equities managed by underlying investment managers whose management and performance fees are rebated and all net proceeds of the fund are donated to partnering charities.

“This model allows investors to benefit from high-quality professional investment management and competitive returns while simultaneously supporting charitable causes- without any reduction in their investment capital or returns,” Cuffe said.