The German Village Society is seeking an investment advisor for the endowed, restricted, and designated funds that total almost $550,000. If you know of a firm that might be interested, please forward this email and the attached Request for Proposals (RFP) to them.

This is a terrific opportunity for the right company to help with the investment advice and management of funds to generate revenue for the Society.

Proposals are being accepted now, and we urge interested firms to submit their information by January 27 at 1 p.m. (EST) for best consideration.

Many thanks for your support and interest.

Thanks, GVS Finance Committee

GERMAN VILLAGE SOCIETY

 Proposal for an Investment Advisor


Introduction:

Since its inception over 50 years ago, the German Village Society (GVS) has evolved into a dynamic, multi-faceted, civic association characterized by a diverse array of services and events, award-winning programs, devoted members, dedicated professional staff, and large community center (the Meeting Haus) in the heart of German Village.

 

As a neighborhood organization, the GVS is unique in offering the breadth, depth and professionalism of these many services, activities and multi-use building.  But perhaps more than anything, the Society provides a strong sense of connectedness and community for our 3,500 residents — a key attribute that makes German Village a much sought-after destination for living, shopping, dining, conducting business, and visiting.

 

The Mission and Vision of German Village Society:

Members of the German Village Society serve as Caretakers of a Legacy dedicated to retaining the character and distinction of the past, while creating a thriving and contemporary community in German Village.

 

Members are united in their vision where German Village will be a celebrated, vibrant downtown neighborhood with historic integrity and a charming, pedestrian-friendly streetscape.   Members role is vital in helping our neighborhood achieve this vision by providing:  1) Civic advocacy and education, 2) Community engagement, 3) A neighborhood hub, 4) Support for the historic preservation and architectural review process, and 5) Resources and leadership.

 

Finances

In order to finance the mission and vision of GVS, revenue comes from membership income, events (Haus & Garten Tour), and donations.    The Society has an annual operating budget of $350,000 to satisfy its operational needs as well as an annual  specific designated budget of almost $50,000 for various committees that oversee public gardens,  business activities of local vendors, preservation, etc.    In addition, the society has over $550,000 in accounts reserved as endowments, maintenance, and deferred funds.   It is these funds that GVS wishes to have professionally invested and managed and is the subject of this request for proposals (RFP).  Each of the funds to be managed have differing income requirements, and therefore will require varying investment strategies.

 

Firms wishing to respond to this proposal:

Please respond to the proposal below and send the information to the following:

1) Mail your proposal to (six copies):

German Village Society

588 South Third Street

Columbus, OH 43215

Attn:  Investment Advisor Search Committee

2) or email your proposal with “Attn: Investment Advisor Search Committee” in the subject line to todorov@germanvillage.com

 

1.         Objectives of this Proposal

  • While specific requirements are provided within the respective sections of this document, the GVS’s overall objectives for this proposal are to select an investment advisor for the Society’s assets which:
    • Offers efficient and effective services, and product solutions that will support the Society’s current and future investment advisory needs at a competitive price;
    • Partners with the Society to achieve their investment objectives;
    • Provides outstanding service to the Society.

2.         Proposal Required Information

  • Proposals should be as thorough and detailed as possible so that your capabilities to provide the required services can be properly evaluated.

3.         Organization and History

  • Please provide the name, titles, addresses, telephone and fax numbers and email addresses of the individuals responsible for responding to this Request For Proposal.
  • Describe your company’s qualifications to provide the services requested
  • Provide a brief overview of your company and history of your organization including the year founded, location of your offices, ownership structure, and the number of years your firm has provided investment advisory services.  If the firm is a closely held company or partnership, please provide details regarding ownership interest.
  • Is your firm, its parent or affiliate a registered investment advisor with the SEC under the Investments Advisors Act of 1940?
  • Describe any SEC or regulatory censure or litigation involving institutional business your firm conducts or relating the services you are proposing at this time or within the past five years.
  • Describe the line(s) of business of your firm, parent organization, and any affiliated companies.
  • If your firm, its parent or affiliate is a broker/dealer, do you trade for client accounts through this broker/dealer?

4.                  Key Personnel and Relevant Experience

  • Identify the key investment professional who would be directly involved in providing investment advice and the location of offices of the proposed team members.
  • Have any of the personnel ever been investigated for alleged improper, fraudulent, or unfair activities related to the management of funds?  If so, please provide the details.
  • Describe the firm’s and the key investment professional’s experience with tax-exempt organizations.
  • Describe your firm’s reliance on internal versus external investment research to include your diversity of opinion sources.
  • Have there been any changes in firm leadership and or ownership in the past five years?

5.                  Investment Policy and Guidance

  • Describe how you would provide the following services to the GVS:
    • Assist the Society in the development and modification of its Investment Policy to meet the Society’s objective of maximizing returns at an acceptable level of risk;
    • Work with the Society to clarify the investment objectives of the Society and to develop and refine the asset allocation strategy;
    • Evaluate current managers and/or conduct investment manager searches for any asset class desired;
    • Monitor the performance of the investment managers and recommend changes when necessary.
  • Describe your firm’s money manager search methods and what attributes you evaluate when developing a list of prospective money manager/funds.
  • Describe your views on asset allocation strategy for the GVS.
  • Construct a sample portfolio for the GVS.
  • Please describe any situation that you believe may present a conflict of interest or create an appearance of a conflict of interest in the event that your company is selected to provide the services requested under this Request for Proposals.

 

6.                  Performance

  • Describe your firm’s methodology and sources of data for analyzing and evaluating a potential portfolio’s performance.  Describe your research and analysis capabilities, tools, and services, including your due diligence process.
  • List and describe fully those performance measures you can provide and that you would recommend providing as part of your services.
    • Returns
    • Risk
    • Standard indices used for comparison, and
    • Peer group analysis
    • Watch list process
  • What performance benchmarks would you suggest for the GVS?
  • Describe the types of analysis included in a typical performance evaluation report for a client similar to the GVS.  Please enclose a sample performance report for a client similar to the GVS.

7.                  Fees and Expenses

  • Describe all start-up fees and expenses you expect to charge and the services included in such fees and expenses in reasonable details.
  • Describe all ongoing fees and expenses you expect to charge and the services included in such fees and expenses covered above.
  • Describe all other fees and expenses, contingent or otherwise, which do not constitute start-up or ongoing fees and expenses covered above
  • For how long will the foregoing fees and expenses be applicable?
  • Describe all fees, direct and indirect (including soft dollar fees), you will receive from any third party or affiliate relating the investment of our assets in reasonable details.
  • Please specifically address any financial relationship you may have or contemplate with investment management firms.

8.                  Competition

  • Provide a summary identifying and substantiating the basis of your contention that you are the best qualified company to provide the requested services for GVS.
  • What are your primary strategies for adding value to the Society?
  • What characteristics distinguish your company from your competitors?
  • Describe any contract terms, if any, including length and conditions.
  • Provide three client references similar in nature to the mission of the GVS and the size of its investment portfolio.
  • 9. Timetable 
  • Respondents to this RFP must submit their proposal no later than 1 p.m. (EST) on January 27, 2012.
  • All information will be analyzed and a final decision made within a reasonable timeframe.
  • Any questions concerning this RFP should be directed to todorov@germanvillage.com with Attn: Investment Advisor Search Committee in the subject line. No questions via any other communication method will be accepted.