View Document Text
Item 1 – Cover Page
Trillium Asset Management, LLC
One Congress Street, Suite 3101
Boston, MA 02114
www.trilliuminvest.com
March 27, 2026
This Brochure provides information about the qualifications and business practices of
Trillium Asset Management, LLC (“Trillium”, “the firm” or “we”). If you have any questions
about the contents of this Brochure, please contact us at (617) 423-6655. The information
in this Brochure has not been approved or verified by the United States Securities and
Exchange Commission (SEC) or by any state securities authority.
Trillium is an SEC-registered investment adviser. Trillium’s registration as an investment
adviser does not imply any level of skill or training. The oral and written communications
Trillium provides to you, including this Brochure, serve as information for you to evaluate
Trillium and should be considered in your decision to hire or retain Trillium.
Additional information about Trillium is also available on the SEC’s website at
www.adviserinfo.sec.gov.
i
Item 2 – Material Changes
Material Changes:
This Brochure dated March 27, 2026, is an update that amends our previous Brochure
dated March 28, 2025.
•
•
Item 4 – Services to Registered Investment Companies has been updated to remove
references to previously disclosed sub-advisory investment management services to
non-affiliated investment companies.
•
Item 8 – Methods of Analysis has been updated to incorporate a description of in-
depth ESG assessment and values integration.
•
Item 15 – Custody has been updated to remove the reference to custody pertaining
to the Private Fund. Previously, Trillium was deemed to have custody with regards
to certain clients in Trillium Impact Partners Fund I, LP who authorized Trillium on
standing letters of authorization to debit funds to pay capital calls. This process
ceased in 2025.
Item 17 – Voting Clients Securities has been updated to delineate functions of the
Proxy Voting Committee and the Chief Advocacy Officer.
Other non-material changes not specified in the summary above have been made,
therefore, Trillium encourages you to read this Brochure in its entirety.
Trillium will ensure that our clients receive a summary of any material changes to this, and
subsequent Brochures filed within 120 days of the close of our business’ fiscal year
(December 31). Furthermore, we will provide our clients with other interim disclosures
about material changes, as necessary.
To request our Brochure free of charge, please contact Compliance at (617) 423-6655 or
compliance@trilliuminvest.com.
Additional information about Trillium Asset Management, LLC is also available via the
SEC’s web site www.adviserinfo.sec.gov. The SEC’s web site also provides information
about any persons affiliated with Trillium Asset Management, LLC who are registered
investment adviser representatives of Trillium Asset Management, LLC.
ii
Item 3 -Table of Contents
Item 1 – Cover Page .................................................................................................................................... i
Item 2 – Material Changes ...................................................................................................................... ii
Item 3 – Table of Contents .................................................................................................................... iii
Item 4 – Advisory Business .................................................................................................................... 1
Item 5 – Fees and Compensation ......................................................................................................... 2
Item 6 – Performance-Based Fees and Side-By-Side Management ...................................... 4
Item 7 – Types of Clients ......................................................................................................................... 4
Item 8 – Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies and Risk of Loss .............................. 5
Item 9 – Disciplinary Information .................................................................................................... 17
Item 10 – Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations ............................................ 17
Item 11 – Code of Ethics ....................................................................................................................... 18
Item 12 – Brokerage Practices .......................................................................................................... 19
Item 13 – Review of Accounts ........................................................................................................... 23
Item 14 – Client Referrals and Other Compensation ............................................................... 23
Item 15 – Custody .................................................................................................................................... 23
Item 16 – Investment Discretion ...................................................................................................... 24
Item 17 – Voting Client Securities .................................................................................................... 24
Item 18 – Financial Information ....................................................................................................... 26
Other Information – Privacy Policy ................................................................................................. 27
iii
Item 4 – Advisory Business
Trillium Asset Management, LLC (“Trillium”, “the firm” or “we”) was founded in 1982 and
provides investment management services to individuals and institutions. Trillium is a
subsidiary of Perpetual Limited (“Perpetual”), an Australian-listed (ASX:PPT) diversified
financial services firm, and a part of Perpetual’s multi-boutique global asset management
business.
Trillium offers investment strategies and services that seek to advance humankind towards
a global sustainable economy, a just society, and a better world. For over 40 years, the firm
has been at the forefront of environmental, social and governance (ESG) thought leadership
and draws from decades of experience focused exclusively on responsible investing.
Devoted to aligning stakeholders’ values and objectives, Trillium combines impactful
investment solutions with active ownership.
Trillium manages equity, fixed income, and balanced separate accounts for individuals,
high net worth individuals, trusts, pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable institutions,
for-profit and non-profit institutional clients, foundations, endowments, registered mutual
funds, and other pooled investment vehicles.
Pursuant to the applicable investment advisory agreement or similar account
documentation, each client can impose reasonable restrictions on the management of its
account, including restricting securities or types of securities that may be held in the
account. Trillium observes such investment policies, limitations and restrictions of its
clients in exercising discretionary investment authority over client accounts.
In addition to working directly with clients, Trillium participates in wrap fee programs but
does not sponsor such programs. Trillium provides a different level of service to these
clients, depending on the program. Some clients accessing Trillium through a wrap
program will have limited access to Trillium’s full range of products, and limited ability to
direct Trillium to customize or establish restrictions on their account. Trillium receives a
portion of the wrap fee for management services.
Trillium acts as a “Model Manager” for clients, and separately managed account (“SMA”)
and Unified Managed Account (“UMA”) platforms. Trillium manages the model portfolios in
accordance with its investment management philosophy and policies as set forth in each
applicable investment agreement. Trillium does not have direct relationships with the
underlying clients of the platforms. Platform sponsors are responsible for assuring
implementation of a client’s particular investment objectives and restrictions in accordance
with Rule 3a-4 of the Investment Company Act.
Investment advisory services represent 100% of total revenue as of December 31, 2025.
1
Services to Registered Investment Companies
Trillium provides investment management services to the Trillium ESG Global Equity Fund
and the Trillium ESG Small/Mid Cap Fund as sub-adviser pursuant to a sub-advisory
agreement with JOHCM (USA) Inc (d/b/a Perpetual Americas Funds Services), which is an
affiliate of Trillium. Each fund follows a strategy using the same or a similar approach used
for other managed accounts. The prospectus of each fund contains more complete
information including the principal investment strategy, risks, fees and expenses related to
an investment in such fund.
Services to Non-U.S. Investment Vehicles
Trillium provides investment management services as adviser or sub-adviser to certain
funds domiciled in jurisdictions outside of the U.S. (“Non-U.S. Funds”). The Non-U.S. Funds
currently use the same or a similar approach used for other managed accounts. The Non-
U.S. Funds are not available for investment by U.S. persons.
Services to Private Funds
Trillium provides discretionary investment advisory service to a private fund of private
funds (“Private Fund”) for which Trillium Impact GP, LLC (“General Partner”) serves as
general partner. The Private Fund invests in a portfolio of private funds and is managed
according to the objectives and policies described in its offering documents (discussed
more fully in Item 8).
Regulatory Assets Under Management (“RAUM”)
December 31, 2025
Type of Services
RAUM (U.S. Dollars)
Total Number of Accounts
$4,305,067,957
$ 0
$4,305,067,957
2043
0
2043
Discretionary
Non-Discretionary
Total
Item 5 – Fees and Compensation
Trillium manages assets for clients seeking discretionary portfolio management services.
Each such client receives personalized investment management services based on an
analysis of the client’s financial circumstances, income requirements, risk tolerance,
investment objectives and social concerns.
Fees are subject to negotiation depending on account size, type of client, and service
requirements.
2
Equity and Balanced Relationship Fee Schedule
0.85% per annum for amounts up to $5 million
0.50% per annum for amount over $5 million
In lieu of the above fee, a 15-basis points oversight fee will be charged for unaffiliated
mutual funds or exchange-traded funds (ETFs) used to implement your asset allocation.
Mutual funds and ETFs also charge internal management fees and other expenses that
those funds disclose in their respective prospectus. Money market funds and sweep
instruments are subject to the standard fee. No additional oversight or management fee
will be charged for any affiliated mutual funds, where Trillium is managing the fund assets.
Trillium accepts certain accounts under $5 million that pay a negotiated fee based on assets
under management. Such accounts typically have similar investment goals and require
limited service by Trillium.
Trillium charges advisory fees quarterly in advance based on assets under management as
of the last day of the previous calendar quarter. If the client approves, the custodian
deducts Trillium’s fees from the client’s accounts. Alternatively, clients can choose to be
billed for the fees. When determining the assets under management, we use a third-party
pricing service to determine portfolio value. The pricing service prices alternative
investments at par or maturity value because such investments do not trade in an existing
market and because ordinary instruments are not comparable with the alternative
investments due to their charitable nature. If it becomes apparent that the issuer of the
alternative investment is in financial distress and could default on payment, Trillium's
Valuation Committee shall determine the markdown to the value of the investment.
Trillium will refund a pro rata portion of any fees paid in advance that are subject to refund
if the account terminates by written notice.
Wrap Fee Schedule
For clients working with Trillium through a wrap sponsor, the wrap sponsor pays Trillium
a portion of the wrap fee collected. The investment management fee that Trillium collects
from the sponsor varies, but in most cases is lower than Trillium’s standard fee. In some
cases, clients’ overall fees paid to the sponsor will be higher than Trillium’s standard fee.
Model Fee Schedule
Trillium collects a fee from the clients, separately managed account (“SMA”) and Unified
Managed Account (“UMA”) platforms for which we provide model portfolios. The platform
fees are calculated and payable in arrears on a quarterly basis based on the value of assets
using the model portfolios as determined by the platform sponsor based on the individual
sponsor’s fee schedule.
3
Private Fund Fee Schedule
Trillium provides investment management services to the Private Fund and Trillium
receives a management fee, paid quarterly in advance and not exceed 1.25% per annum of
the aggregate unreturned Capital Contributions of the Limited Partners of the Private Fund.
The Management Fee is prorated for any calendar quarter that is less than a full quarter.
Additional Fee Information
Trillium’s fees are exclusive of brokerage commissions, transaction fees, and other related
costs and expenses that clients will incur. Clients will incur certain charges imposed by
custodians, brokers, third party investment and other third parties such as fees charged by
managers, custodial fees, deferred sales charges, odd-lot differentials, transfer taxes, wire
transfer and electronic fund fees, and other fees and taxes on brokerage accounts and
securities transactions. Mutual funds and exchange-traded funds also charge internal
management fees that those funds disclose in their respective prospectus. Such charges,
fees and commissions are exclusive of and in addition to Trillium’s fee. Trillium shall not
receive any portion of these commissions, fees and costs unless Trillium is the advisor or
sub-advisor to such funds.
In addition, Trillium receives benefits including research products and services through its
trading relationships with certain brokers in consideration of commissions paid by clients.
At times, this will cause the price the firm pays in a security transaction to be higher than
the lowest possible price. Item 12 further describes the factors that Trillium considers in
selecting or recommending broker-dealers for client transactions and determining the
reasonableness of their compensation (e.g., commissions).
Item 6 – Performance-Based Fees and Side-By-Side Management
Trillium does not charge any performance-based fees (fees based on a share of capital gains
or capital appreciation of the assets of a client).
Item 7 – Types of Clients
Trillium provides portfolio management services to various types of clients, including
individuals, high net worth individuals, trusts, pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable
institutions, for-profit and non-profit institutional clients, foundations, endowments,
registered mutual funds, pooled investment vehicles, and private investment funds. As
noted in response to Item 4 above, Trillium also provides investment management services
to a private fund for which an affiliate serves as general partner.
The minimum relationship size for a managed separate account is $5,000,000.
Trillium provides limited services for relationships under the minimum. Wrap
accounts and model accounts are not subject to the minimum relationship size.
4
Item 8 – Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies and Risk of Loss
METHODS OF ANALYSIS
Trillium’s investment approach integrates in-depth environmental, social and governance
(ESG) research and analysis with rigorous, fundamental financial diligence to help identify
the companies best positioned to deliver risk-adjusted, long-term performance.
Our investment process includes four components:
Idea Generation
•
, a quality-driven research process through which ideas are
•
Integrated Research
generated for our approved list;
, a thorough analysis and review of fundamental and ESG
• Portfolio Construction
factors;
, a process led by the insights of our Portfolio Managers to
• Risk Management review and assessment
manage each portfolio consistently with its strategy objectives and risk tolerance
levels; and
, to support the portfolio managers in
understanding any unintended risks in the portfolios.
We seek to identify companies that are strategic , while recognizing that it is also critical to
make investments at reasonable valuations. We look for companies with superior business
models and financial profiles that demonstrate, in our estimation, the ability to create
consistent earnings growth while maintaining superior ESG characteristics. We believe that
incorporating ESG factors into the investment process can help us identify the issuers and
securities that are best positioned for long-term risk-adjusted outperformance relative to
their peers (collectively, “ESG Criteria”).
Alongside traditional financial analysis typical of any asset management firm, Trillium also
incorporates a risk-based screening process to evaluate company level sustainability
performance. We search for business models that limit environmental impact (e.g., limits
harmful pollutants, aligned with a low carbon economy), excel in social considerations (e.g.,
fair wages / ethical supply chains / encourages diversity and inclusion), and have strong
corporate governance oversight, whilst excluding businesses that have material
involvement in higher risk enterprises. We integrate ESG factors into our fundamental
analysis to provide insight into key material risks and opportunities.
Trillium’s research process combines the collective work of our portfolio managers,
fundamental analysts and ESG research team, and Advocacy and Private client team.
Business Activity Screens
Trillium employs exclusionary screens under which the Fund does not invest in companies
considered to be materially involved, defined as 5% of revenue unless otherwise indicated,
in the following business activities:
5
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Agricultural Biotechnology
Coal Mining/Excavation of metals including gold, copper, tin, and gemstones/Tar
Sands
Gaming/gambling
Pornography
Private Prisons
Tobacco
Weapons and Firearms
Trillium’s philosophy regarding investing in companies with legacy fossil fuel exposure is
to invest in companies with a business model designed to succeed in a low carbon
economy, while avoiding investing in companies with the greatest transition risks, namely
fossil fuel dependent companies without a transition plan that Trillium finds credible.
Trillium does not invest in traditional energy and power companies that have not
demonstrated a commitment to a business model designed to succeed in a low-carbon
economy.
In addition, Trillium also restricts investment in companies based on a controversy
screening process, designed to identify companies with egregious behavior with the
potential to either detract from the long-term financial performance of the company or
cause a company to be incompatible with a sustainability theme of the strategy.
In-depth ESG assessment and values integration
Our research process incorporates ESG factors directly into the fundamental analysis,
ensuring that material sustainability risks and opportunities are evaluated alongside
traditional financial metrics. This integrated approach strengthens our assessment of a
company’s long-term resilience, management quality, and ability to compound value
sustainably. We embed Trillium’s core values—including the projection of human rights,
respect for civil society institutions, achievement of justice, respect for labor, and
protection of and respect for the natural environment—directly into our investment
research.
Materiality Assessment
Our ESG materiality assessment includes our in-house materiality and benchmarking
framework. Analyses are completed at the industry or sub-industry level by our Sector
Teams. For each review, our integrated ESG and fundamental research team, along with
input from our Advocacy and our Private Client teams, determine the key values and ESG
issues that are most material to each industry or sub-industry, which include
considerations of stakeholder concerns and financial risks. Some issues are specific to an
industry, such as access to medicine for pharmaceutical companies. Other issues are
pertinent across many industries, such as executive compensation and board diversity.
6
INVESTMENT STRATEGIES – EQUITY STRATEGIES
Equity Strategies and Descriptions (Domestic and International)
Actively managed, diversified portfolios, designed to provide for long term capital growth
and equity exposure that Trillium believes is in alignment with Trillium values and with
ESG Criteria. The objective is to provide, over a full market cycle, a risk-adjusted return
above that of the standard benchmark.
Trillium ESG Core Equity Strategy
The strategy invests across the range of market capitalizations and economic sectors in
companies that meet Trillium’s ESG Criteria. Our ESG Core Equity strategy has an inception
year of 1994. The equity benchmark is the S&P 1500 Index.
Our core approach, focused on bottom-up selection of high-quality companies, is intended
to help insulate the portfolio somewhat in a downturn. In swiftly rising markets with a
focus on lower-quality, more leveraged companies, we would expect a slight lag in
performance due to our approach. With no weighting to the Global Industry Classification
Standard (GICS) Energy sector, as Trillium has yet to identify any companies that we
believe will succeed in a low carbon economy, we also expect the strategy to lag when
Energy is in favor.
As a bottom-up, fundamental asset manager, sources of outperformance are expected to be
driven by stock selection (>50%), with additive secondary drivers of style and factor
exposures. We also believe that our experience and expertise in evaluating material ESG
risks and opportunities, as well as advocating for positive environmental and social change,
contributes to sources of outperformance.
Risk controls for the ESG Core Equity strategy include a maximum initial position size
(5%), maximum sector weight deviations (approximately +/-5%), expected tracking error
range (3-4%), and ongoing review by the investment team with respect to key portfolio
risk factors and metrics.
Trillium ESG Global Equity Strategy
The strategy may invest in companies of any size. The portfolio managers attempt to
mitigate risk relative to the MSCI All Country World Index benchmark through
consideration of geographic and economic sector allocations but may at times depart
materially from the benchmark’s allocations. The intended outcome of the portfolio
managers’ investment process is a portfolio that typically consists of between 70-120
companies.
•
The portfolio managers look to achieve capital appreciation by investing in superior
companies while also considering the Fund’s allocations and exposures across:
Economic sectors, although the portfolio managers may elect on occasion to have
substantial over and underweights relative to the market based on where the
portfolio managers find the most attractive opportunities (i.e., those companies with
7
•
•
attractive valuation and impending catalysts for growth that meet Trillium’s ESG
Criteria);
Geographic areas, based on where the portfolio managers find attractive
opportunities with particular interest in markets that have company ESG reporting
requirements; and
Company size, with a consistent overall profile of large, global companies but also
including smaller companies that present attractive opportunities for investment.
Trillium ESG Large Capitalization Core Strategy
The strategy is designed to be a core equity investment option that gives investors well-
diversified exposure to the U.S. market and meets Trillium’s ESG Criteria. The strategy
invests in large cap stocks, generally greater than $5 billion in market capitalization, that
are well diversified across economic sectors.
Risk parameters for the ESG Large Cap Core Equity strategy include a maximum initial
position size (5%), controlled sector weight deviations (approximately +/-5%), a expected
tracking error range (2.5%-4%), and ongoing review by the investment team with respect
to key portfolio risk factors and metrics. The ESG Large Cap Core strategy seeks to provide
superior risk-adjusted outperformance net of fees across a full market cycle. The
benchmark for the strategy is the S&P 500 Index.
We typically have a below-benchmark market capitalization and lower than market
dividend yield, so we may lag whenever there is an extreme return to mega capitalization
companies or a strong investor preference for dividend yield. With no weighting to the
GICS Energy sector, as Trillium has yet to identify any companies that we believe will
succeed in a low carbon economy, we also expect the strategy to lag when Energy is in
favor.
Trillium ESG Small/Mid Capitalization Core Strategy
The Strategy invests in equity securities of small and mid-sized companies that meet
Trillium’s ESG Criteria. It is a core, diversified portfolio, holding 60-80 stocks across
sectors. The equity benchmark is the Russell 2500 Index. With no weighting to the GICS
Energy sector, as Trillium has yet to identify any companies that we believe will succeed in
a low carbon economy, we expect the strategy to lag when Energy is in favor
Historically, the SMID strategy exhibits an above average benchmark market capitalization
given our lower turnover, so we may lag whenever smaller capitalization stocks
outperform. And, given our tilt towards growth, we usually have a slightly lower than
market dividend yield. Tracking error is historically between 4% and 5%.
Sustainable Strategies and Descriptions (Domestic and International)
Actively managed, diversified portfolios, that offer a high-conviction, thematic process that
invests in companies positioned to thrive as the world transitions to a more sustainable
8
economy. The three pillar themes are Climate Solutions, Economic Inclusion, and Healthy
Living (the “Three Pillar Themes”).
Trillium ESG Global Sustainable Opportunities Equity Strategy and Trillium ESG Sustainable
Opportunities Strategy
Each of the strategies aims to invest in the common stock of companies demonstrating
leadership on one or more of the Three Pillar Themes.
Trillium’s Sustainable Opportunities Committee whose primary objective is to review each
stock proposed for inclusion in the strategy from the perspective of the alignment with the
strategy themes.
Portfolio managers construct a portfolio which balances expected returns and potential
risk consistent with strategy specific investment objectives and defined risk control
parameters. The portfolio management team creates a model portfolio—selecting from a
bottom-up perspective specific securities to include along with consideration of factor
allocation, geographic/regional exposure, macro/geopolitical and sustainability
characteristics that are intended to reflect current expectations and the intentions of the
Portfolio Management team. As long-term investors, our investment horizon is
approximately 3-5 years, and our aim is to keep portfolio turnover to 20-40% per year
(although turnover may be higher).
The portfolio management team engages in a discussion and review based on their own
view of the market and expectations for specific portfolio holdings. The team uses portfolio
analysis tools to review a number of potential risk and reward scenarios based on varying
macro environments. Some of the factors that portfolio managers consider when making
additions or deletions to existing positions are valuation, analyst/portfolio manager
conviction, and the expected effect of an individual holdings on overall portfolio
characteristics. While we use a team-based approach for portfolio construction activities,
the lead portfolio manager has final decision-making responsibility. The number of
holdings is generally determined by strategy specific guidelines.
Equity and Sustainable Strategies – Investment Risk Management
Trillium employs a relative risk management approach for strategy level controls. Portfolio
Management teams consider several risk-based metrics including ex-post tracking error,
portfolio beta, and relative active weight versus the benchmark when constructing and
monitoring their portfolios.
Equity and Sustainable Strategies – Sell Discipline
The strategy’s portfolio managers may choose to sell a security due to a breakdown in the
investment thesis, negative change in sector or company fundamentals, changes that result
in ineligibility according to Trillium’s ESG screening process, a material deterioration in
ESG characteristics, or excessive relative valuation; or to manage active position weight or
to upgrade quality characteristics. Portfolio managers will also consider any relevant
macroeconomic or geopolitical conditions such as interest rates, inflation trends,
employment levels, or regional disputes which they believe have the potential to affect the
9
value of a security. The portfolio management team has the ultimate decision-making
authority for all allocation decisions.
INVESTMENT STRATEGIES – FIXED INCOME
Trillium’s fixed income investment approach actively incorporates ESG risks and
opportunities within the investment-grade fixed income market. The Fixed Income team
integrates financial and ESG research to identify issuers with strong and improving credit
profiles and leading ESG characteristics, resulting in fixed income portfolios that seek to
generate competitive risk-adjusted total returns and current income throughout the
market cycle while directing capital to issuers and projects that positively impact our
planet and society.
The fixed income investment research supplements the four components of Trillium’s
investment process described above (i.e., Idea Generation, Integrated Research; Portfolio
Construction and Risk Management), with the following considerations:
Idea Generation, the Fixed Income team (Team) generates trade ideas within the
strategy’s universe including Green, Social, and Sustainability (GSS) bonds, as well
as debt issued by companies on Trillium’s equity Approved list; and
Fundamental Research, ESG-integrated fundamental research process includes
industry-level, issuer-level, and security-level analysis, with each level covering both
quantitative and qualitative considerations.
The strategy’s investible universe includes all publicly traded, USD-denominated, fixed-
income securities on recognized exchanges, globally, and is not limited to the constituent
issuers of our benchmarks. In general, we consider bonds eligible to be considered if they
have investment grade credit ratings, an option-adjusted duration of 12 years or less, and
fundamental credit and ESG characteristics consistent with our investment thesis. Trillium
may opportunistically include individual securities that fall outside of these characteristics
in line with client objectives.
Trillium seeks to construct portfolios with a total return objective that are diversified by
credit rating, sector, issuer, and duration, and which consist of taxable and/or tax-exempt
debt securities depending on a client’s preferences and tax sensitivity.
Fixed Income Investment Philosophy
Trillium believes that a company’s sound understanding of sustainability principles can
demonstrate the qualities of innovation and leadership that support the creation of a
distinct competitive advantage and the building of long- term value.
The fixed income strategy aims to support the ongoing transition to a low-carbon economy,
and to mitigate potential risks associated with that transition. As a base commitment,
Trillium excludes general obligation debt from issuers deriving over 5% of their revenues
from the extraction, processing, or transportation of fossil fuels. Trillium recognizes the
10
importance of investing in the transition to a sustainable future and therefore may invest in
GSS bonds from issuers with revenue exposure to fossil fuels, provided that the bond’s
proceeds are exclusively directed toward clean energy projects.
US Treasury bonds represent a large portion of the domestic debt market and are among
the debt securities with the highest liquidity and strongest credit characteristics globally.
However, Trillium seeks to avoid investing in issuers with significant involvement in the
weapons industry, including the US Government. Trillium uses debt from government
agencies including the Federal Farm Credit Banks and Federal Home Loan Banks systems,
as well as from supranational organizations including the World Bank and European
Investment Bank, to increase the credit quality and liquidity of client portfolios in a manner
consistent with Trillium’s ESG Criteria.
Within the municipal bond market, Trillium seeks to prioritize market segments that are
aligned with our overarching values as well as with the transition to a more sustainable
future, including public transportation, water management, clean energy, and public
education. Trillium applies exclusionary screens to market segments that we associate with
elevated ESG risks and high carbon-intensity, including highway, airport, prison, and for-
profit private education bonds.
Fixed Income – Sell Discipline
The Team’s sell discipline is governed by portfolio strategy and bond-specific analysis;
securities may be sold due to a breakdown in the investment thesis, a negative change in
sector or company fundamentals, a material deterioration in ESG characteristics, excessive
relative valuation, undesirable active position weight, or to modify portfolio characteristics.
INVESTMENT STRATEGIES – PRIVATE FUND
The Private Fund invests in unaffiliated private funds that make private equity and debt,
venture equity and debt, and real estate investments in sustainable enterprises across
three broad thematic areas: climate solutions, economic inclusion and healthy living. The
offering and governing documents of the Private Fund provide a fuller description of the
types of investments in which we cause the Private Fund to invest and the limitations and
guidelines thereof.
INVESTMENT STRATEGIES – OTHER
Community Investments; Cash; and Private Equity
Trillium also manages accounts with community investments, other types of cash, and
private equity.
Trillium occasionally offers advice on community loan funds, loan fund participations and
similar alternative investments. Clients investing in such instruments receive a separate
disclosure document.
11
Discretionary Private Client Accounts
Generally, Trillium invests client assets in our strategies. Trillium invests some client assets
in externally managed mutual or exchange traded funds in cases where we do not have
specific expertise in an asset class, or an appropriate internal strategy.
INVESTMENT STRATEGIES – ACTIVE OWNERSHIP (EQUITY AND SUSTAINABLE
STRATEGIES)
Trillium seeks to align values and financial objectives by combining impactful investment
solutions with active ownership, aspiring to provide long-term value while seeking to
advance humankind towards a sustainable global economy, a just society, and a better
world. For Trillium this means being active shareholders with the intention to advocate in
support of protections and respect for human rights, the natural environment, economic,
environmental, social, and climate justice, labor rights, and civil society institutions..
Trillium believes environmental, social, and governance factors are material to a company’s
long-term success. Given our strong belief in the importance of these values and ESG
factors, we believe it is our duty to remain vigilant in monitoring the ESG profile of
companies we hold, and that it is our duty to our investors to advocate for ESG
improvement.
Trillium’s shareholder advocacy is primarily conducted by a dedicated advocacy team
using various approaches including direct dialogue, filing or co filing shareholder
proposals, working with multi-stakeholder groups (i.e. organizations that contain multiple
stakeholders with an interest in a company’s success, such as public and private company
boards, individual and institutional investors, and governmental and academic
institutions), convening company/stakeholder meetings, investor and proxy advisor
education, and speaking publicly about ESG topics. The portfolio managers may also engage
directly with portfolio companies on both ESG and fundamental topics. Over time, ESG
topics covered by Trillium’s shareholder engagement have included climate change,
workplace diversity, supply chain responsibility, and human rights, among many others.
Trillium’s proxy voting guidelines incorporate these ESG matters and perspectives and
votes are executed consistent with Trillium’s Proxy Voting Policy, which is shared with
Trillium’s clients. . Trillium regularly voices its perspective on public policy matters that
relate to ESG topics.
RISK OF LOSS
Trillium does not guarantee the future performance of any client account. Client accounts
are subject to a variety of market, currency, economic, political and business risks, and
there is a risk that an account will lose value. Each investment strategy is subject to certain
specific risks, some which are material, and others less so. Trillium is an active manager,
and the investment decisions Trillium and its portfolios managers make may not produce
the expected returns, may cause a strategy or account to lose value or may cause it to
underperform other strategies or accounts with similar investment objectives. There is no
assurance that a strategy / account’s objective will be achieved, and investors could lose
money. Investing in securities involves risk of loss that clients should be prepared to bear.
12
The following principal risks can also affect the value of your investment:
General Market Risk
Economies and financial markets throughout the world are increasingly interconnected,
which increases the likelihood that events or conditions in one country or region will
adversely impact markets or issues in other countries or regions. General market risk may
affect a single issuer, industry, sector of the economy or the market as a whole. In the
recent past, global financial markets experienced severe uncertainty and stress, which
resulted in extreme volatility in the equity markets and in the prices of individual stocks. In
some cases, the prices of stocks of individual companies were negatively impacted even
though there may have appeared to be little or no degradation in a company’s financial
conditions or prospects. These market conditions could recur and add significantly to the
risk of short-term volatility of investments.
Issuer Risk
The risk that an issuer of a security in which a portfolio invests or to which it has exposure
may perform poorly or below expectations and the value of its securities may therefore
decline, which may negatively affect a portfolio’s performance. Underperformance of an
issuer may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures,
breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate
restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, natural disasters, military confrontations, war,
terrorism, disease/virus outbreaks, epidemics or other events, conditions and factors
which may impair the value of a portfolio.
Liquidity Risk
Traditionally liquid investments may experience periods of diminished liquidity that may
impair our ability to sell such investments at reasonably expected values.
Regulatory Risk
Governmental and regulatory actions, including tax law changes, may also impair portfolio
management and have unexpected or adverse consequences on particular markets,
strategies, or investments.
Equity Risk
This is the risk that stock prices will fall over short or extended periods. Although the stock
market has historically outperformed other asset classes over the long term, the stock
market tends to move in cycles. Individual stock prices may fluctuate drastically from day-
to-day and may underperform other asset classes over an extended period. Individual
companies may report poor results or be negatively affected by industry and/or economic
trends and developments, and the prices of securities issued by such companies may suffer
a decline in response. These price movements may result from factors affecting individual
companies, industries or the securities market as a whole. Investor perceptions may impact
the market and are based on various and unpredictable factors including expectations
regarding government, economic, monetary and fiscal policies; inflation and interest rates;
economic expansion or contraction; and global or regional political, economic and banking
13
crises. If you hold common stocks of any given issuer, you would generally be exposed to
greater risk than if you hold preferred stock or debt obligations of the issuer because
common stockholders generally have inferior rights to receive payments from issuers in
comparison with the rights of preferred stockholders, bondholders and other creditors of
such issuers.
Investment Management Risk
We may fail to implement the investment strategies or meet an account’s investment
objectives.
Large Companies Risk
Large company stock risk is the risk that stocks of larger companies may underperform
relative to those of small and mid-sized companies. Larger, more established companies
may be unable to respond quickly to new competitive challenges, such as changes in
technology and consumer tastes. Many larger companies may not be able to attain the high
growth rate of successful smaller companies, especially during extended periods of
economic expansion.
Small and Mid-Sized Company Risk
Investments in smaller and mid-size companies may be speculative and volatile and
involve greater risks than are customarily associated with investments in larger
companies. Many small to mid-size companies are more vulnerable than larger companies
to adverse business or economic developments. Securities of these types of companies may
have limited liquidity and their prices may be more volatile. They may have limited product
lines, markets or financial resources. New and improved products or methods of
development may have a substantial impact on the earnings and revenues of such
companies. Any such positive or negative developments could have a corresponding
positive or negative impact on the value of their shares.
Foreign Securities and Emerging Markets Risk
Foreign securities, including ADRs, GDRs, tend to be more volatile and less liquid than U.S.
securities. Further, foreign securities may be subject to increased risks due to differences in
the political, social, and economic environment abroad, as well as due to differences
between United States and foreign regulatory, accounting, and auditing standards and, in
the case of foreign currency denominated securities, fluctuations in currency exchange
rates. These risks are increased in emerging markets. In addition, foreign markets can, and
often do, perform differently than U.S. markets. Given the global interrelationships of
today’s economy, volatility or threats to stability of any significant currency, such as
occurred in the recent past with the European Monetary Union, or significant political
instability, may affect other markets and affect the risk of an investment in a Fund. Changes
in foreign tax laws, exchange controls, investment regulations and policies on
nationalization and expropriation as well as political instability may affect the operations
of foreign companies and the value of their securities.
14
Environmental, Social, and Governance Policy Risk
ESG policies could cause an account to perform differently compared to similar portfolios
that do not have such policies. The application of ESG standards may affect a portfolio’s
exposure to certain issuers, industries, sectors, and factors that may impact the relative
financial performance of the portfolio – positively or negatively – depending on whether
such investment is in or out of favor.
Fixed-Income Risk
Fixed-Income Portfolios and fixed-income securities generally have four main areas of risk:
•
•
•
•
Credit or Default Risk. An account may lose money if an issuer of a bond is unable or
unwilling to make timely principal and/or interest payments or to honor its
payment obligations. Further, when an issuer suffers adverse changes in its financial
condition or credit rating, the price of its debt obligations may decline and/or
experience greater volatility. A change in financial condition or credit rating of a
fixed-income security can also affect its liquidity and make it more difficult for an
account to sell.
Interest Rate Risk. The value of a bond may decline due to an increase in the
absolute level of interest rates, or changes in the spread between two rates, the
shape of the yield curve or any other interest rate relationship. Longer-term bonds
are generally more sensitive to interest rate changes than shorter-term bonds.
Generally, the longer the average maturity of the bonds held by an account, the more
the account’s value will fluctuate in response to interest rate changes.
Prepayment Risk. An account may experience losses when an issuer exercises its
right to pay principal on an obligation held by the account earlier than expected.
This may happen during a period of declining interest rates. Under these
circumstances, the account may be unable to recoup all of its initial investment and
will suffer from having to reinvest in lower yielding securities. The loss of higher
yielding securities and the reinvestment at lower interest rates can reduce an
account’s income, total return, and share price. Rates of prepayment, faster or
slower than expected, could reduce an account’s overall yield, increase the volatility
of the account and/or cause a decline in value.
Municipal Securities Risk. The yields of municipal securities may move differently
and adversely compared to yields of the overall debt securities markets. There could
be changes in applicable tax laws or tax treatments that reduce or eliminate the
current federal income tax exemption on municipal securities and otherwise
adversely affect the current federal or state tax status of municipal securities. Such
changes also may adversely affect the value of municipal securities owned by an
account and, as a result, the overall value of the account.
Private Fund Risk
Investments in private funds are speculative and involve substantial risk, including the risk
that the investor could lose some or all of its investment in such funds. The principal areas
of risk include liquidity risk (the inability of an investor to redeem or withdraw its interest
in the private fund) and valuation risk relating to the private nature of such investments.
15
The material risk factors relating to the Private Fund are set out in the Private Fund’s
offering documents.
Community Investment Risk – Promissory Notes Issued by Loan Funds and Non-Profit
Organizations
Promissory notes issued by loan funds and non-profit organizations typically involve an
uncollateralized and uninsured promise to pay. The issuer is only obligated to repay the
principal at maturity with interest payable at stated times. The promissory notes are not
securities registered with the SEC and rating agencies do not normally rate them. They are
illiquid, do not trade on an open market and are not considered investment grade
securities. The interest rates they carry are typically below market rates although they may
be competitive with short-term instruments. Accordingly, you should not expect these
promissory notes to generate returns that are competitive with equities or other long-term
debt investments.
Trillium will price these notes at “par,” the original amount of the loan made to the
organization. Trillium does not adjust the stated value of the note to reflect risk, duration
and relationship to market interest rates. This may over-value the notes on your Trillium
statements. Accordingly, the value of your portfolio used to calculate management fees
includes these notes at par or maturity and not at a fair market value, which may be lower.
Trillium believes this is appropriate because of the effort required to locate, screen and
monitor the notes that do not trade publicly.
Certificates of Deposit Issued by Development Banks and Credit Unions
Development banks and credit unions issue certificates of deposit (“CDs”) that are not
registered with the SEC. CDs do not trade on an open market and, once you invest in a CD,
you usually hold it until maturity. Interest earned on a CD will be a market rate or below as
determined at the outset of the investment. A CD may be “broken” or redeemed at any time.
However, the issuing institution may charge a penalty for such an early withdrawal. The
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) or another insurer may insure certain CDs
for up to $250,000.
Trillium will price these CDs at face value or “par,” the original amount of the investment.
Trillium does not adjust the stated value of the CD to reflect risk, duration and relationship
to market interest rates. This may over-value the CDs on your Trillium statement.
Accordingly, the value of your portfolio used to calculate management fees includes these
CDs at face value, not at a fair market value, which may be lower.
Cyber Security Risk
Cybersecurity-related risks include unauthorized access attacks; mishandling, loss, theft or
misuse of information; computer viruses and malware; cyberattacks designed to obtain
confidential information regarding our firm or our clients, or to destroy such data;
ransomware and denial of service attacks; data breaches; and social engineering and
phishing attacks. Any significant limitation on the use of our facilities or the failure or
security breach of our software applications or operating systems and networks, including
the potential risk of cyber-attacks, could result in the disclosure of confidential client
16
information and/or financial losses. In addition, such cybersecurity risks can also impact
the issuers of securities in which Trillium invests on behalf of clients, which could cause a
loss in value of such securities.
Trillium is subject to cybersecurity and privacy related legal and regulatory requirements,
which impose certain mandatory protection obligations and significant fines and litigation
risk in the event of noncompliance. Trillium maintains policies and procedures designed to
mitigate risks related to cybersecurity and such regulatory requirements.
Business Disruption Risk
Business disruptions resulting from catastrophic and other material events (e.g., a
pandemic) could negatively impact our ability, and our service providers’ ability, to
continue to transact business. Any significant limitation on the use of our facilities or our
software applications, operating systems and networks could result in financial losses.
Similar types of business disruption risks are also present for issuers of securities in which
we invest, which could result in material adverse consequences for such issuers and may
cause your investments to lose value. Trillium maintains business continuity and recovery
policies and procedures that seek to identify and plan for potential disruptions; these
policies and procedures are tested at least annually. However, there can be no assurance
that our business contingency plans will fully mitigate all potential risks to us and our
service providers.
Conflicts of Interest Risk
As part of Trillium’s social commitment, representatives of Trillium often sit on the Boards
of Directors of non-profits and other mission related organizations. Trillium also permits
an employee to serve on other Boards of Directors. Trillium will inform a client of any such
relationship, if relevant, before investing the client’s assets in instruments issued by an
organization or company that has a Trillium representative on its Board.
Item 9 – Disciplinary Information
Registered investment advisers are required to disclose all material facts regarding any
legal or disciplinary events that would be material to your evaluation of Trillium or the
integrity of Trillium’s management. Neither Trillium, nor its personnel, has any
disciplinary, administrative, regulatory, criminal, civil or otherwise reportable history to
disclose.
Item 10 – Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations
Trillium procures information from non-profit research entities, public information
provided by companies, for-profit independent research, print or other media,
questionnaires and direct research into companies.
17
Affiliations
Trillium Impact GP, LLC is an affiliate of Trillium and is the general partner of the Private
Fund. Some Trillium clients (who are “accredited investors” within the meaning of the U.S.
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and “qualified clients” within the meaning of Rule 205-
3 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended) are invested in the Private
Fund. The general partner appointed Trillium to provide investment management services
to the Private Fund.
Trillium is an indirect subsidiary of Perpetual Limited, an ASX listed company (ASX:PPT).
As required, Form ADV Part 1 Section 7. A. and Schedule D provide disclosure about
affiliated investment advisers under Perpetual.
Shared Officers and Office Space
As noted above in Item 4 – Advisory Business, the Firm is a subsidiary of Perpetual, an
Australian-listed diversified financial services firm, and a part of Perpetual’s multi-
boutique global asset management business. The Firm operates its investment advisory
business independent of its affiliated advisers. The Firm and certain of its affiliates will
have from time-to-time overlapping directors, officers and supervised persons. The Firm
also shares office space with an affiliated adviser which serves as the investment adviser to
certain registered funds sub-advised by the Firm. The Firm also permits employees and
supervised persons of other affiliated advisers to utilize the Firm’s office space. In each
case, the Firm has established procedures and information barriers with respect to office
sharing designed to properly limit the flow of information between the Firm and its
affiliates.
Item 11 – Code of Ethics
Trillium adopted a Code of Ethics ("the Code") to set certain guidelines requiring all
employees to act in accordance with their fiduciary duty to Trillium's clients and to comply
with applicable laws and regulations. The Code requires that employees conduct
themselves with high ethical standards based on integrity, honesty and trust. The Code
prohibits transactions that benefit the employees at the expense of any client. Employees
must pre-clear personal trades in certain securities including any transaction involving a
limited offering or initial public offering. Certain employee trades are subject to blackout
periods. Certain securities, such as U.S. government obligations, bonds, mutual funds and
exchange-traded derivatives are not subject to the personal trade restrictions and pre-
clearance requirements. All employees and directors who have access to certain nonpublic
information or provide investment advisory services to clients must acknowledge the
terms of the Code of Ethics annually, or as amended.
Trillium anticipates that, in appropriate circumstances, consistent with clients’ investment
objectives, it will cause accounts over which Trillium has management authority to effect
and will recommend to investment advisory clients or prospective clients, the purchase or
18
sale of securities in which Trillium, its affiliates and/or clients, directly or indirectly, have a
position of interest. Trillium’s employees and persons associated with Trillium are
required to follow Trillium’s Code of Ethics. Subject to satisfying this policy and applicable
laws, officers, directors, managing partners and employees of Trillium and its affiliates are
permitted to trade for their own accounts in securities that Trillium recommends to and/or
purchases for clients. Employees of Trillium and its affiliates are permitted to invest in
private investments that Trillium did not invest in for the private fund it advised. The Code
of Ethics is designed to assure that the personal securities transactions, activities and
interests of the employees of Trillium will not interfere with (i) making decisions in the
best interest of advisory clients and (ii) implementing such decisions while, at the same
time, allowing employees to invest for their own accounts. The Code designates certain
classes of securities as exempt transactions, based upon a determination that these would
not interfere materially with the best interest of Trillium’s clients. In addition, the Code
requires pre-clearance of many transactions and restricts trading in close proximity to
client trading activity. Nonetheless, because the Code of Ethics in some circumstances
would permit employees to invest in the same securities as clients, there is a possibility
that employees might benefit from market activity by a client in a security held by an
employee. Trillium regularly monitors employee trading under the Code of Ethics in an
effort to identify potential conflicts of interest between Trillium and its clients.
Trillium’s clients or prospective clients can request a copy of the firm's Code of Ethics by
contacting us.
It is Trillium’s policy that the firm will not affect any principal or agency cross-securities
transactions for client accounts. Trillium will also not cross trades between client accounts.
Principal transactions are generally defined as transactions where an adviser, acting as
principal for its own account or the account of an affiliated broker-dealer, buys from or
sells any security to any advisory client. An agency cross transaction is defined as a
transaction where a person acts as an investment adviser in relation to a transaction in
which the investment adviser, or any person controlled by or under common control with
the investment adviser, acts as broker for both the advisory client and for another person
on the other side of the transaction. Agency cross transactions may arise where an adviser
is dually registered as a broker-dealer or has an affiliated broker-dealer.
Item 12 – Brokerage Practices
Trade execution and Brokerage Allocation
Trillium has a Brokerage Committee that meets quarterly and is responsible for oversight
of Broker Allocation, Trade Cost Analysis (TCA) reports, Trade Errors, Commissions and
Best Execution (including Fixed Income).
It is the policy of Trillium’s Trading Department to seek to obtain the best execution of all
transactions. While Trillium endeavors to obtain the best combination of price and
execution for its clients, “best execution” does not necessarily mean that the client will pay
the lowest commission or spread. Trillium is responsible for the selection of brokers to
19
execute trades for the Funds and the sub-advised Mutual Funds. Clients who choose to use
retail brokers pay the commission rate they negotiate with that particular broker and
advise Trillium by means of a selection in the Investment Management Agreement of that
decision. Trillium commonly has full discretion over the securities and amount of securities
traded in a client account, subject to any limitations or guidelines contained in the advisory
agreement.
Trillium seeks competitively priced brokerage services where the broker-dealer provides
value-added, company-specific and thematic investment research, including meetings with
management and conferences. In addition, factors considered by Trillium in the selection of
brokers and the placement of trades include the liquidity of the market for the securities
traded, promptness of execution, financial stability of the broker-dealer; efficiency in
handling and settling trades; ability to handle the proposed block trade, and quality of
settlement.
Trillium retains the services of an independent third-party evaluator to analyze all equity
trades on a quarterly basis. The trade analysis focuses on best execution in terms of both
commissions paid and efficiency of trades performed compared to market data for other
trades in the same securities on the same days. The Brokerage Committee is responsible for
reviewing the results of the analysis and documenting the review.
Research and Soft Dollar Benefits
Subject to Section 28(e) of the Exchange Act, Trillium obtains services relevant to its
investment decision-making process from full-service broker-dealers using client
commissions. Such services include economic research, company and industry research,
and other broker services. Trillium benefits from the use of client commissions because
Trillium does not have to produce or pay for the research and services.
Subject to its obligation to seek best execution, Trillium directs trades through such
brokers in order to obtain the services. Trillium has an incentive to select or recommend a
broker-dealer based on its interest in receiving the research or services, rather than on
clients’ interest in receiving most favorable execution. Trillium directs trades to brokers
based on its investment team’s evaluation of the brokers’ services and execution ability.
Research benefits are not limited to those clients who have generated a particular
commission although certain commission allocations connect to particular clients or
groups of clients. Trillium does not proportionally allocate research benefits to any
accounts that generate different amounts of the commission allocation. Such research
benefits all of Trillium’s clients, although it is possible that a client will pay a higher
commission than that obtainable from brokers who provide only execution.
From time to time, Trillium may obtain research from broker-dealers on a trial basis, or
brokers may offer flexibility with the amount or the types of research vis-à-vis Trillium’s
commission flow. These benefits are not proportionally allocated to specific accounts but
20
could be used across all accounts where such research is applicable. Any subsequent use of
such research is subject to Trillium’s established brokerage selection process.
Trillium does not maintain any formal soft dollar arrangements and did not direct client
commissions to soft dollar credits in 2025.
Directed Brokerage/Custody
Trillium believes that the best execution starts with client selection of a competitive
discount broker as custodian of the account assets. Many clients prefer to have assets held
in custody with broker-dealers. Trillium discloses to all clients that clients may achieve
lower transaction costs by selecting discount brokers, but the individual client has the final
choice. It is the policy of Trillium to deal with established reputable brokerage firms.
Trillium does not maintain custody of client’s assets although we are deemed to have
custody of client’s assets if a client gives us authority to withdraw assets from their account
(see Item 15 – Custody, below). Client’s assets must be maintained in an account at a
“qualified custodian,” generally a broker-dealer or bank. We recommend that our
discretionary clients use Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. ("Schwab"), a registered broker-dealer,
member SIPC, qualified custodian. Trillium is independently owned and operated and is
not an affiliate of Schwab. Schwab will hold client’s assets in a brokerage account and buy
and sell securities when we instruct them to do so. While we recommend that clients use
Schwab as custodian, the client will decide whether to do so and will open their account
with Schwab by entering into an account agreement directly with them. We do not open an
account for the client, although we will assist the client in doing so. Not all advisers
recommend or require their clients to direct brokerage or custody services. Even though a
client’s account is maintained at Schwab, we can still use other brokers to execute trades
for the client’s account.
Schwab provides Trillium with access to its institutional trading and custody services that
are typically not available to Schwab retail investors. These services generally are available
to independent investment advisors on an unsolicited basis, at no charge to them if a
minimum of $10 million of the advisor's client assets are in accounts at Schwab Advisor
Services. Some of those services help us manage or administer our clients’ accounts, while
others help us manage and grow our business. For Trillium's client accounts maintained in
its custody, Schwab generally does not charge separately for custody services but receives
compensation from account holders through commissions and other transaction-related or
asset-based fees for securities trades executed through Schwab or that settle into Schwab
accounts.
In evaluating whether to recommend that clients custody their assets at Schwab, Trillium
takes into account the availability of products and services and other arrangements with
Schwab as part of the total mix of factors it considers, and does not consider solely the
nature, cost or quality of custody and brokerage services provided by Schwab. This creates
a potential conflict of interest because Trillium may not be able to achieve the most
favorable execution of client transactions, and this would cost clients more money.
21
Client Directed Custody/Brokerage
When a client instructs Trillium to direct securities transactions to a particular brokerage
firm, the client should note that such directed brokerage might result in such client paying
higher commissions than would be the case if Trillium were able to select brokers freely.
Directed brokerage in many cases limits Trillium’s ability to negotiate commissions for the
client and its ability to aggregate orders and results in an inability to obtain volume
discounts or best execution for the client in some transactions. The higher cost associated
with a directed brokerage arrangement will be disclosed to the relevant client promptly
after the time a broker is designated and the broker advises Trillium of its commission
rates. Trillium includes similar disclosure in the management contracts of its clients with
directed brokerage. Additionally, some clients choosing directed brokerage will have trades
executed after those where Trillium has full discretion over broker selection.
Trade Allocation and Aggregation
Trillium aggregates equity trades (blocked trades) whenever appropriate with the trades
in the same security submitted for other Trillium clients using the same broker dealer.
Trillium allocates filled orders according to detail provided by the investment manager(s)
or portfolio manager(s). The traders generally allocate partially filled orders on a pro rata
basis using the trading system software. The trading system apportions trades in
accordance with the percentage of any given account in the overall block. It is of paramount
importance to Trillium that no one client or group of clients is advantaged or
disadvantaged over any other client or group of clients.
When client equity transactions are not subject to block trades, the traders will execute
such orders immediately in the sequence in which the portfolio managers or investment
managers enter the approved trades into the system.
Trillium aggregates fixed income trades (blocked traded) whenever appropriate with the
trades in the same security submitted for other Trillium clients using the same broker
dealer. Trillium submits all bond orders on a “fill or kill” basis, meaning that individual
trades are either completed as ordered, or are cancelled.
Trillium’s traders or individual investment managers (for their respective client accounts)
may execute fixed-income trades. Investment managers attempt to block bond transactions
for similar accounts and similar purchase parameters and seek to prioritize transactions in
a fair and equitable manner so as not to give advantage over time to any one client or group
of clients.
Trade Rotation Policy
Trillium’s policy is to provide a fair and equitable method of trade rotation in placing
trades for clients’ accounts. Generally, Trillium rotates accounts on a quarterly basis or
when the equity strategies are rebalanced. We alternate trading in two groups: 1) model
delivered portfolios and 2) direct traded on model accounts. Within these two groups, we
also have an internal rotation. Trillium does not take responsibility for ensuring trading of
model portfolios where we do not receive communication on completion, although we will
upload the models according to the rotation.
22
Item 13 – Review of Accounts
Trillium’s portfolio and investment managers (managers) periodically review all accounts
for which they are responsible. The review typically includes investment policy guidelines,
client circumstances and account objectives. The managers often review accounts when
meeting or talking with clients or if the account circumstances trigger an additional review.
Trillium often manages and reviews advisor relationships, family accounts or single
beneficiaries of multiple trusts as a whole.
Trillium provides written quarterly reports to separately managed accounts that include a
summary of account holdings and investment performance. Special appraisals and
additional account reporting information are available to clients upon request. Clients have
the option to receive quarterly reports or any account information electronically.
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles
Trillium compliance monitors the Pooled Funds daily to ensure compliance with
investment guidelines and restrictions.
Private Fund
The Portfolio Manager and investment managers periodically review the Private Fund and
its underlying investments. The review includes investment guidelines as set forth in the
fund documents and investment objectives.
Item 14 – Client Referrals and Other Compensation
Trillium has an arrangement with Wilson & Browning Financial Services, Inc. Trillium pays
a portion of advisory fees to Wilson & Browning Financial Services, Inc. for clients referred
by the firm.
Trillium is a party to various wrap fee arrangements. Please see disclosure relating to Item
4 and Item 5 above.
Trillium receives an economic benefit from Schwab in the form of the support products and
services available to us and other independent investment advisors whose clients maintain
their accounts at Schwab. These products and services, how they benefit us, and the related
conflicts of interest are described in Item 12 above.
Item 15 – Custody
Discretionary Accounts
Trillium does not serve in a custodian role for discretionary client accounts. However, we
are deemed to have custody of client funds or securities, if, for example, a client authorizes
us to instruct a client’s custodian to deduct our advisory fees directly from the client’s
account or if a client grants us authority to move their money to another person’s account.
23
statements
Schwab or the custodian of the client’s choice maintains actual custody of client’s assets.
from the broker dealer, bank or
The client will receive at least quarterly account
other qualified custodian that holds and maintains the client’s investment assets. The client
should carefully review those statements promptly when received. We also urge clients to
compare such official custodial records with the periodic account statements and portfolio
reports the clients will receive from us. Our statements will sometimes vary from custodial
statements based on accounting procedures, reporting dates or valuation methodologies of
certain securities.
Item 16 – Investment Discretion
Pursuant to the applicable investment advisory agreement or similar account
documentation, Trillium has discretionary authority, subject to reasonable restrictions on
the management, including restrictions on the securities or types of securities that may be
held in an account, to select the identity and amount of securities to buy or sell. In all cases,
however, Trillium exercises such discretion in a manner consistent with the stated
investment objectives for the particular client account.
In exercising such discretion, Trillium observes the investment policies, limitations and
restrictions of the clients for which it advises. For registered investment companies, certain
federal securities and tax laws, which require diversification of investments and favor the
holding of investments once made, may limit Trillium’s authority to trade securities.
Clients must provide investment guidelines and restrictions to Trillium in writing.
In limited instances, Trillium will take direction from a client to buy or sell a particular
security, or to refrain from doing so.
Trillium may, with the consent of a client, maintain a small position in a security in a
client’s account in order to pursue advocacy on environmental, social, or governance
issues. As a result, the investment performance of these client accounts may differ from the
investment performance of other client accounts that do not hold such positions.
Item 17 – Voting Client Securities
Trillium’s proxy voting policy seeks to vote client shares in accordance with the clients’
best interests, which Trillium seeks to express in Trillium’s Proxy Voting guidelines.
Trillium believes that taking financial, environmental, social, governance, and systemic
impacts into account when making proxy voting decisions can contribute to the long-term
performance of portfolios. Where applicable, Trillium's proxy voting intends to improve
portfolio companies' corporate ESG performance, practices, policies, and impact, in a
manner consistent with supporting the long-term financial performance of portfolios and
Trillium’s Values.
24
Trillium’s Proxy Voting Committee reviews the proxy voting guidelines on an annual basis.
While the details of the guidelines may change in accordance with current and upcoming
issues, Trillium bases the underlying decisions on the considered finding that proxy voting
decisions should incorporate financial, environmental, social, governance, and market wide
considerations.
Advocacy and Compliance periodically sample proxy voting records in an effort to make
sure proxies are voted consistently with Trillium’s Proxy Voting policy. In instances where
the Proxy Voting Guidelines do not address how Trillium should vote shares held
in portfolios across Trillium strategies, the Proxy Voting Committee will review the item
and assess how to vote in accordance with Trillium’s Proxy Voting policy. In addition,
Trillium is also responsible for separately managed accounts which may contain clients’
investments that are not included in Trillium’s strategies. In instances where the Proxy
Voting Guidelines do not address how Trillium should vote shares not held in Trillium
strategies (i.e. only held in certain separately managed accounts), our general practice is to
vote per the third-party proxy adviser service’s recommendation. On a case-by-case basis,
Trillium’s Chief Advocacy Officer may review such items and take steps as described in
Trillium’s Proxy Voting policy.
Trillium seeks to identify any conflicts of interest in voting proxies. Any such conflicts will
be reviewed by the Chief Compliance Officer or their designee to make recommendations
to the CEO and the Trillium Executive Committee regarding how to mitigate the conflict.
The conflict will be reported to the CEO and the Trillium Executive Committee to determine
if the client or the sub-advised Fund needs to be notified. If there is a conflict of interest
between Trillium and a client or a sub-advised Fund with respect to voting a proxy,
Trillium will vote directly in line with the Proxy Voting Policy and Guidelines.
The Chief Advocacy Officer has primary responsibility to make best efforts to vote all
ballots that are received in accordance with this policy and in a proper and timely manner.
To support this responsibility, Trillium engages a third-party provider to assist with the
administration of proxy voting. Trillium relies upon a third-party proxy voting service
provider to implement Trillium’s proxy voting guidelines and assist with the administrative
aspects of voting. The Chief Advocacy Officer is primarily responsible for oversight of the
service provider. The Chief Advocacy Officer annually reviews the performance of the
service provider to determine if services are sufficiently accurate, transparent, complete,
effective, and otherwise adequate to meet Trillium’s responsibilities. This annual review
also considers the adequacy of the service provider’s policies and procedures.
Trillium may not vote shares it is responsible for if the Chief Advocacy Officer, with input
from Compliance, determines that not voting is in the clients’ best interests. Trillium will
maintain documentation describing the rationale for any instance in which Trillium does
not vote.
Trillium does not borrow or lend shares for the primary purpose of voting them.
A copy of Trillium's Proxy Voting Guidelines are available on Trillium’s website
www.trilliuminvest.com or upon request by calling 617-423-6655.
25
Item 18 – Financial Information
Registered investment advisers are required in this Item to provide certain financial
information or disclosures about their financial condition. Trillium has no financial
commitment that impairs its ability to meet contractual and fiduciary commitments to
clients and has not been the subject of a bankruptcy proceeding.
Trillium does not require prepayment of fees six months or more in advance. Accordingly,
it is not required to provide a balance sheet pursuant to this Item 18.
26
OTHER INFORMATION - Privacy Policy
PRIVACY POLICY
The privacy of your personal information is important to us at Trillium Asset
Management (“Trillium”, “TAM”, “we”, “us”, or “our”). We are committed to protecting
the privacy of that information.
Furthermore, the privacy of your personal information may be protected by various
government laws or regulations.
At the same time, in order to provide you with services you may request, it is necessary
for us to possess some personal information of yours. Similarly, without some of that
information, we cannot inform you about the services we have available or that you may
request (though if you are currently receiving information or marketing
communications from us, you may opt-out of receiving further communications at any
time).
This privacy statement explains our personal information policies and practices. It
includes, but is not limited to, explanations of the types of personal information we may
collect about you, the purposes for collecting such information, the circumstances under
which we may disclose such information to third parties, the measures we take to
secure the confidentiality of such information, your rights regarding your personal
information, and the way to contact us to exercise those rights.
Types of Information We Collect
We collect personal information from you in order to offer or provide you with
products or services, process transactions on your behalf and comply with legal and
regulatory requirements. Information may be collected from any of the following
•
sources:
From You: We collect information from you when you request information or
services from us or enter into an investment management agreement with us or a
subscription agreement with a fund we manage. We also collect information from
investor questionnaires, W-9’s and other applications or forms that you complete
when requesting information or services from us. This information may include
items such as:
your name
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
address
e-mail address
social security number
birth date
annual income
net worth
marital status
investment goals
27
o
investment risk tolerance.
If you indicate you have a spouse or partner, his/her personal and
financial account information may be requested.
•
From Transactions: If you obtain advice or services from us, we keep records
of the advice or service provided. We keep records relating to items such as:
o
o
o
o
your account balance
payment history
securities positions
securities purchases and sales.
This enables us to provide you with a history of your transactions with us and
service your account.
•
From our Web Site: If you visit our website, we collect only the information that
you provide to us when you register on the site to receive e-mail updates of our
products. We may also collect your e-mail address when you send us an e-mail or
send a letter to the editor of our newsletter. We do use so-called “cookies” to
enhance navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. We
invite you to review our website privacy policy at www.trilliuminvest.com by
clicking on “privacy and usage notices here” that can be found at the bottom of
our home page.
Purposes for Collecting Your PII
You may provide your Personally Identifiable Information (“PII”) to TAM in order to fulfill a
Service. You are then entering into a business relationship with TAM and are agreeing to
the use of that data by TAM and its applicable worldwide affiliated companies, as stated in
this Privacy policy. We request PII for a variety of purposes throughout your interaction
with TAM, some of which are listed below:
•
•
The performance of obligations under your Investment Management Agreement
(“IMA”), the governing agreements of the applicable Funds and/or one or more
investors’ subscription agreements with respect to the applicable Accounts and
Funds (and all applicable anti-money laundering, “know-your-client” and other
related laws and regulations), including in assessing suitability of potential
investors in the Funds.
•
The administrative processes (and related communication) carried out between
the Authorized Entities in preparing for the acceptance of your account and the
admission of investors to the Funds.
Ongoing communication with existing and potential clients, investors and
their respective representatives, advisors and agents, (including the
28
•
negotiation, preparation and signature of documentation), including
during the process of accepting your account and admitting potential
investors to the Funds.
•
The ongoing administrative, accounting, reporting and other processes and
communication required to operate your account and the business of the
Funds in accordance with your IMA, the governing agreements of the
applicable Funds and other applicable documentation between the parties.
•
Keeping existing and potential clients and investors informed about the
business of TAM and its affiliates, including offering opportunities to make
investments other than to the Trillium strategies and the Funds.
•
Contacting you or your designated representative by phone, email, fax, or mail.
•
Providing you or your representative with marketing communications.
•
Creating and managing your account with us.
•
Sharing information about our Services including investment research.
•
Facilitating financial transactions related to your account.
•
Ongoing communication with you and/or your designated contacts.
•
The ongoing administrative, reporting, and other processes and
communication required to operate the business in accordance with the
agreements and other applicable documentation between the parties.
•
To collect information for our recruiting process.
•
Any legal or regulatory requirement.
Any other purpose that has been notified, or has been agreed, in writing.
Lawful Basis
There is a need to process PII for the purposes set out in this privacy policy as a matter
of contractual necessity under or in connection with the applicable agreement, and in
the legitimate interests of TAM to operate their respective businesses. From time to
time, TAM may need to process the PII on other legal bases, including: to comply with a
legal obligation; if it is necessary to protect the vital interests of an investor or other
data subjects; or if it is necessary for a task carried out in the public interest. For the
purposes listed above, TAM is relying on performance of a contract necessity and
legitimate interests.
A failure to provide the PII requested to fulfill the purposes described in this Privacy
policy may result in TAM being unable to provide the services in connection with the
terms of the IMA or subscription agreement.
29
Data Storage and Retention
Your PII will be retained only for as long as the information is needed to fulfill the
purposes for which it was collected and processed. We reserve the right to retain and use
your PII for as long as necessary to comply with our legal obligations and business
requirements and/or to resolve ongoing disputes and enforce our agreements.
Protection of Personally Identifiable Information
We maintain physical, electronic, and procedural security measures that comply with
applicable legal and regulatory standards to safeguard your PII. Access to such
information is restricted to those employees who are trained in the proper handling of
client information and have a legitimate business need to access that information. We
follow generally accepted standards to protect the PII you submit to us, whether that
information is in transit or at rest.
Our Site and Use of Cookies
"Cookies" are small data files that are stored on your hard drive that store certain
information, including certain PII, accessible to our Sites, such as your password and any
information content preferences you may voluntarily set at our Sites. You can refuse the
use of cookies by selecting the appropriate browser setting. For information on how to
remove or manage cookie functions and adjust your privacy and security preferences,
access the “help” menu on your internet browser, or visit
http://www.aboutcookies.org/how-to-control-c ookies.
DOES NOT
Our site
use cookies and other technologies that collect personal information.
Our site uses cookies to enhance navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our
marketing efforts.
Automated Decision Making
We do not use automated processing, including profiling, to make decisions that will have
either legal or material effects on the individuals from whom we collect and process PII.
Sharing Your PII
Your PII may be combined with information we receive from other sources, or it may be
provided to other organizations we work with. This section details that sharing of your PII.
Receiving PII from Third Parties
We may receive information about you from other sources and combine that
information with the PII we collect directly from you. For example, we may receive
payment information from the organization you use to pay us in order to correct our
records. Additionally, to promote protection of your identity, we also may collect credit
or identity information which we use to help prevent and detect fraud.
30
Sharing PII with Third Parties
We do not and will not sell your PII. If we share your PII with third parties performing
services for us, or acting on our behalf, we will not allow them to use your information
for other purposes, and we will contractually require them to protect your information.
We may share your PII with our affiliates, business partners, and other third parties. We
may do so for the purposes of operating our business, delivering and improving the
Services we provide to you, as well as for other legitimate purposes permitted by
applicable law such as sending marketing and other communications related to our
business.
We may share your PII with third parties for a variety of additional purposes including, but
not limited to:
•
•
Within TAM and our affiliates and subsidiaries for data processing or
storage purposes.
•
With business partners and suppliers to provide Services and help
facilitate transactions (including processing orders, event registrations,
data storage, marketing communications and customer support).
•
In response to a request from law enforcement, government authorities, or other
third parties as necessary to comply with legal process or to meet national security
requirements. This may be related to tax reporting services or pursuant to a court
order.
•
With our affiliated private fund general partner in order to offer investment
opportunities or to provide services related to your investment in the private
fund
With unaffiliated service providers such as brokers, fund administrators,
custodians, and transfer agents in connection with processing transactions for
your account. Your personal information may also be provided to attorneys,
accountants, or auditors in order to enable us to provide requested services to you
and to comply with legal and regulatory requirements.
Transfers of PII
Your PII may be transferred, processed and/or stored in a country other than the one in
which your PII is collected. When transferring your PII to the US or other countries, we
have implemented procedures to validate that appropriate safeguards are in place to
protect the PII regardless of where it is being transferred to.
31
TAM may transfer PII to a non-equivalent country (a country or territory other than (i) a
member state of the EEA; or (ii) a country or territory which has at the relevant time
been decided by the European Commission in accordance with EU law to ensure an
adequate level of protection for PII), in order to fulfill the purposes described in this
Privacy Notice and in accordance with applicable law, rule or regulation, including
where such transfer is a matter of contractual necessity to enter into, perform and
administer agreements, and to implement requested pre-contractual measures. For
information on the safeguards applied to such transfers, please contact this number
(800-548-5684) or privacy@trilliuminvest.com.
Your EU Data Subject Rights
The European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (“GDPR”) is a sweeping piece
of legislation that grants EU residents increased control over their PII. The GDPR allows
consumers to access their PII and find out details of how that data is processed, to
rectify inaccurate PII, to have their data erased (when certain conditions are met), to
restrict processing of their data, and more. It requires affected companies to create
processes to comply with and facilitate consumer data requests, to update their privacy
policies, and to ensure that PII is secured.
•
Specifically, the GDPR and other national privacy laws provide data subjects with
certain rights regarding their PII. If you are an individual who resides in the EU and
whose PII is collected and processed by TAM, you have the right to:
•
Request access to your data
•
Rectify your data
•
Take your data (in a readable, “portable” format) to another service provider
•
Erase your PII
•
Restrict or object to the processing of your PII
•
Lodge a complaint with a Member State Supervisory Authority
Withdraw previously given consent to collect and process PII (which will not
impact PII processed before the withdrawal)
PII Rights for California Residents
The California Consumer Privacy Act (“CCPA”) requires us to make certain additional
disclosures and provides California residents with the ability to request additional
information about their PII. If you are a California resident and it is determined that the
CCPA applies to you, this section details those rights, how you may exercise them, and
what TAM will do in response.
32
Please note that the rights under the CCPA do not apply to PII collected, processed, sold
or disclosed pursuant to Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (Public Law 106-102) and Fair Credit
Reporting Act (12 CFR 1022).
•
If you are an individual who resides in California and whose PII is collected and
processed by TAM, you may have the right to:
•
Request that we disclose, free of charge, the categories and specifics of the PII
we collect about California residents, the sources from which the PII was
collected (and/or, if applicable, sell or otherwise disclose to a third party),
and the business purpose for collecting PII.
•
Choose to opt-out of the sale of PII. Currently, however, TAM does not sell PII.
Request that we delete the PII we have collected. Following our verification of
the request, we will comply with the request and delete any or all the PII in our
possession that we collected from the California resident and/or any or all such
PII in the possession of our service providers, unless otherwise restricted by law
or regulation.
Non-Discrimination for Exercising Your PII Rights
We follow the requirements of California Civil Code §1798.125 and will not discriminate
against any consumer who exercises the rights set forth in this privacy policy.
Questions or concerns and Exercising Your Data Subject Rights
.
Please include a
If you have any questions or concerns regarding the information in this privacy policy,
or would like to exercise any of your rights set forth in this privacy policy, please
contact this number (800-548-5684) or privacy@trilliuminvest.com
description of what right you want to exercise and the information to which your
request relates. Please note that you may only make a disclosure request twice within a
12-month period.
Verifying Your Identity
If you choose to contact us with a request, you will need to provide us with identifying
information that matches the PII we currently have about you.
Authorized Agent
You have the right to appoint an authorized agent to exercise your rights on your behalf. If
you would like to do so, please contact this number (800-548-5684) or
privacy@trilliuminvest.com.
Accessibility Information
For consumers with disabilities who need to access this policy in an alternative format,
please contact: this number (800-548-5684) or privacy@trilliuminvest.com.
Changes to the Privacy Notice
33
From time to time, we may update this privacy notice. If revisions are made to the privacy
notice, we will update the statement with a new revision date.
This privacy notice was last revised and posted on November 30, 2023.
34