Approved by AHA Council December 2013, updated January 2023.

The purpose of this Statement is to clearly convey:

• the objectives the AHA seeks to achieve
• the guidelines to be observed in pursuit of the objectives
• a framework for evaluation of results
• the standards for communication  

General Considerations

The Statement establishes specific investment policies for the AHA endowment portfolio. Other separate portfolios may be established with specific objectives, time horizons, or donor restrictions. The general principles of this statement will apply to other separate portfolios, but the Investment Subcommittee will develop specific asset allocation targets appropriate for these portfolios.

The AHA  retains a professional investment manager, and allows the investment manager full discretion within the scope of these investment guidelines established by the Investment Subcommittee and agreed to by the investment manager. The investment manager shall be responsible for periodically reviewing these guidelines with the Investment Subcommittee to ensure that they remain appropriate and relevant.

Investment Objective

The primary objective is to provide a high total return net of all fees over the long term, consistent with the preservation of principle and subject to the risk and liquidity requirements defined below. To achieve this objective, the portfolio should:

• Earn over a long term a return equal to or in excess of the increase in the Consumer Price Index plus 3% on an annualized basis
• Utilize a Composite Index comprised of appropriate market indices weighted to reflect the target asset allocation
• Be competitive with appropriate peer group performance composites

Volatility

Volatility shall be evaluated in terms of the total portfolio, not each individual investment. The portfolio should be well diversified to avoid undue exposure to any single economic sector, industry group, or individual security.

Liquidity

Withdrawals may come from principal and income assets. Otherwise, liquidity should reflect the investment strategy that is most appropriate for achieving the objectives.

Asset Allocation

The following asset classes are acceptable for inclusion in the portfolio. Exposure to each asset class, measured by market value, is to be within the minimum and maximum limits defined below. The target allocation is that which will comprise the Composite Index used for the purpose of performance measurement. The investment manager shall propose mutual funds deemed appropriate to the matrix below, and shall advise on maximum and minimum for each asset class.    

It is understood that market movements could cause the portfolio's asset mix to fall outside of these ranges. However, any divergence should be of a short-term nature. Persisting divergence should be corrected by periodic rebalancing of the portfolio. Guidelines should be reviewed with the investment committee at least annually.

Restrictions and Limitations

1. Commingled Investments: Investments in commingled accounts are permitted provided that the investment guidelines and restrictions of the commingled account are in substantial conformance with the AHA guidelines.
2. Restricted Transactions: All investments must have a readily ascertainable market value, and must be readily marketable. The investment manager will not engage in transactions involving: Commodities; Restricted Stock; Foreign Equities not traded on the New York Stock Exchange, either directly or as ADR's (except purchased through a mutual fund); Private Placements (except marketable 144(a) securities and the investment manager's commingled investment vehicles); Warrants; Securities Purchased on Margin, Short Selling; Venture Capital
3. Equities: Common and convertible preferred stocks should be listed on a major stock exchange or traded in the over-the-counter market with the requirement that such stocks have adequate market liquidity relative to the size of the investment.  
4. Fixed Income: Purchases of individual fixed income securities shall include obligations issued or guaranteed by the United States or Canadian governments or any agencies or instrumentalities thereof or to debt issues rated in one of the top four quality grades as established by one or more of the nationally recognized bond rating services. Yankee bonds may be used. Non-investment grade bonds shall not be purchased for the portfolio, but are acceptable if assumed because of downgrades to investment grade bonds currently held in the portfolio.
5. Maturity: The average maturity and duration of the fixed income portfolio will be consistent with the index benchmark within 20%. In determining average maturity and duration, mortgage pass-through, asset-backed, putable and other similar variable maturity securities will be measured based upon their estimated effective maturity and duration.
6. Concentration by Issuer: Investment in any one fixed income investment shall be limited to 5% of total portfolio of the total assets of a given manager's assets. Securities issued or guaranteed by the US Government, its agencies or instrumentalities are not subject to this limitation. Mutual funds are also not subject to this limitation, but care should be taken to ensure that individual mutual funds are comprised of well diversified portfolios.

Performance Evaluation

Investment results will be reported quarterly. This review will examine the portfolio's total return, as well as that of the separate asset classes that comprise the portfolio. Performance is to be compared to all relevant benchmarks. Moving 3 and 5-year periods will be used to determine whether the portfolio's objectives are being met. However, to aid in the evaluation of portfolio trends, standard periods for evaluation are to include quarter, year-to-date, 1-year, 3-year and 5-year periods.

Each portfolio under control of the Investment Subcommittee will be measured against an appropriate Composite Index approved by the Investment Subcommittee. The Composite Index will comprise widely recognized securities indices for each asset class, weighted by the Policy Target Weight for that asset class, rebalanced monthly. More comprehensive indices are preferred over less comprehensive ones.

Ethical and Social Responsibility

The Investment Subcommittee will determine the degree to which Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors will be used for selection and evaluation of securities or investment funds, and will direct the Investment Manager accordingly. In doing so, the Investment Subcommittee will be mindful of the primary investment objective of investment program stated above.

Communication

The investment manager will report performance of the portfolio quarterly. This report will include all performance as noted above. The investment manager will communicate changes to investment strategy, asset allocation and other matters affecting the investment policy or philosophy of the portfolio on a timely basis. If the investment manager believes that a particular guideline should be altered or deleted, any recommended change is to be conveyed to the Client in a timely manner. Meetings with the investment manager are to be held annually.

Draw Down on Endowment

At present, the AHA draws down 4% from endowment each year using a three year moving average.

Review

The Investment Subcommittee will submit the Investment Policy Statement with recommendations for revisions to the AHA Council for review at the discretion of the Subcommittee, but at least once every 5 years.