Origin and Mission
In 1991, a network of foundations founded a cooperative-style investment organization whose structure and eligibility criteria have evolved over time but whose essential mission has not. Known colloquially as TIFF, the organization's mission is:
* To seek to enhance the investment returns of non-profit organizations.
* To reduce the investment and administrative expenses of non-profit organizations.
* To broaden the universe of investment choices available to non-profit organizations.
* To assist non-profi t organizations in deploying their assets in a manner that will
support charitable expenditures while preserving the purchasing power of their assets.
* To help non-profit organizations monitor and evaluate their investment performance.
* To promote within the non-profit community an understanding of investment management.
TIFF comprises three regulated entities at present: a tax-exempt private operating foundation whose d/b/a (TIFF Education Foundation) is more descriptive of its focus on education and research than its formal legal name (The Investment Fund for Foundations); a regulated mutual fund family; and TIFF Advisory Services (TAS), a taxable non-stock corporation and regulated investment advisor that administers investment vehicles bearing the TIFF name.