Confluence’s Advisor membership supports investment advisors, asset managers, consultants and intermediaries. Through three distinct membership categories, Confluence supports advisors at varying stages of their investing journey:
- Practitioner Advisor Membership is reserved for the most seasoned, ‘high impact', investment advisors, asset managers, and intermediaries in the industry. These firms have a solid track record supporting vales aligned investors and clear institutional commitments to sustainability, social equity, and strong corporate governance. Confluence selects a small group of new members into this category each year through a competitive application process.
*To ensure that firms are a good fit for Practitioner membership, all incoming advisors join as Associate Advisors before being considered for Practitioner membership.
- Associate Advisor Membership is designed for investment advisors and asset managers that manage philanthropic clients and are either building their ESG or impact strategy or building a relationship with Confluence.
- Affiliate Advisor Membership is designed for community development financial institutions (CDFIs) and consultants that specialize in values aligned investing but do not directly manage or advise on assets.
To learn more about Advisor membership benefits and dues or to apply to become a member, contact us!
Member Benefits
All Advisor members benefit from the following educational programming, collaborative convenings and technical support:
- Invitation to attend the annual Advisor’s Forum, a conference that brings impact advisors together to candidly strategize the growth of the impact investing field, best practices in advising clients and promising investment opportunities.
- One-hour consultation with Confluence staff and ongoing referrals within the network.
- Access to all-member programming, including monthly webinars and quarterly regional events.
- Opportunity to join a member-driven working group.
- Opportunity to shape programming by submitting content ideas and serving as a thought leader, when invited.
- 24/7 Access to Confluence’s Member Library and listserves.
In addition, Practitioner Advisor members receive the following:
- Invitation to Confluence's world-class gathering of impact investors and advisors, the Annual Practitioners' Gathering. Membership includes one complimentary registration and sponsorship opportunities.
- Additional opportunities to share your work with our network through speaking invitations and by contributing content to our programming.
- Additional opportunities to shape programming and serve as a network leader by serving on event planning committees.
Become an Advisor Member
Membership applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and membership cycles begin at the first of each month. To apply to become an Advisor Member, contact us here.
Who Can Join?
We aim to build a well-rounded membership, not dominated by any one business model, size, or investment strategy. Therefore, Confluence evaluates and admits prospective advisor members based on a number of factors rather than any one qualification. Above all else, we prioritize institutions that firmly understand our mission as well as our code of conduct (see below).
Though the following qualifications are not all required, candidates with the following qualifications are given priority:
Incoming Associates: Investment Advisors and Asset Managers
- At least 2 years of experience serving philanthropic clients (investment advisors only)
- At least $25 M in assets under management (investment advisors only)
- Have closed their first fund and have experience working with philanthropic clients (asset managers)
- A significant portion of AUM invested in mission related investments
- Women and people of color within ownership and/or management
Incoming Affiliates - CDFIs and Consultants:
- At least 3 years of experience serving philanthropic clients with strong references
- Specialize in impact investing and have assisted foundations in forming impact investing strategies, drafting investment policies and finding values aligned advisors
- Women and people of color within ownership and/or management
Our Code of Conduct: Protecting Our Members’ Privacy
Confluence provides a solicitation-free community within which members feel empowered to learn, grow and to collaborate. In order to guarantee the integrity of our programs, we require that all new members commit to the following terms:
- Members do not disseminate sales or marketing materials at Confluence events (e.g. pitch decks, brochures).
- Members do not use speaking opportunities or community events to explicitly sell their own products or services.
- Members do not explicitly fundraise or solicit the business of investors at Confluence events.
- Note that those who violate this policy will not be invited to participate in future events and membership may be revoked.