Third Link Growth Fund Overview - Introduction

With a strong third sector, we have within our grasp the means and opportunity to create the truly great Australia that we want – for ourselves, for our families, for our neighbours and for future generations. But this goal will only be accomplished if all sectors – business, government and non-profit – work together in new ways.

The creation of the Third Link Growth Fund is a unique and pioneering way of contributing to that goal. Not only does it provide you with the opportunity to participate in a professionally managed investment fund, but all fees received by Third Link Investment Managers Pty Limited from managing the Fund’s investments, net of expenses incurred, will go to support the non-profit sector. The Fund’s name signifies this important connection between the third sector and you.

Chris Cuffe is the director of Third Link Investment Managers Pty Limited, the investment manager of Third Link Growth Fund. After more than 20 years in the investment management industry (primarily with Colonial First State and Challenger Financial Services Group), Chris joined Social Ventures Australia (SVA) in a full time capacity. SVA is an independent non-profit organisation established in 2002 that works to strengthen a portfolio of other non-profit organisations by providing them with funding, mentoring and uniquely designed organisational tools. It also provides services to help strengthen the broader non-profit sector – such as consulting services, workshops, conferences and web-based learning.

Chris’ involvement with SVA has allowed him to experience first hand the vital contribution of the third sector – a contribution that complements the roles of both business and government to foster a mature, caring and inclusive society. Thinking about innovative ways to assist the work of this sector has led Chris to initiate the creation of the Third Link Growth Fund in early 2008.

All fees received by Third Link Investment Managers Pty Limited from managing the Fund’s investments, net of expenses incurred, will go to support the non-profit sector. Once the Fund reaches a reasonable size, the aim is that this contribution will equate to more than one per cent per annum of the Fund’s value. If achieved, this would mean if you invest $50,000 in the Fund you will effectively be contributing at least $500 per annum to charity (varying in line with the Fund’s value over time).

Importantly though, this one per cent will not be an additional expense to the normal fees and expenses of managing the Fund and will not dilute investment returns. Rather, it stems from the extraordinary and generous support of a number of investment and service professionals who have agreed to waive some or all of the fees that would otherwise be due to them for services rendered. Instead, these waived fees are diverted, in effect, to the non-profit sector.

The providers of pro bono professional support include the following:

Treasury Group Investment Services Limited (the responsible entity);

RBC Dexia Investor Services Trust (the custodian and administrator);

Minter Ellison (legal work in connection with establishing the Fund);

BlueChip Communication Group (communications strategy);

Ernst & Young (auditors of the Fund and the investment manager);

Deloitte (tax advisers to the Fund);

Simmons Johnson & Co (tax advisers to the investment manager);

 Link Market Services (printing);

ongoing advisers, who will provide guidance as requested by Chris on the investment management
  function; and

professional fund managers , who will manage a portion of the Fund’s assets.

Third Link Investment Managers Pty Limited will capitalise on Chris Cuffe’s industry knowledge, considerable contacts and many years of experience in the investment management industry in a unique way with the aim of providing both a competitive offering for investors and a valuable contribution to the non-profit sector.

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Treasury Group Investment Services Limited (ABN 38 099 932 920 AFSL 227326) is the responsible entity of the Fund and does not guarantee the performance of the Fund, repayment of capital or any particular rate of capital or income return. Investors should obtain independent investment and/or tax advice from a licenced adviser as to the suitability of the Fund to their investment needs. Please click here for further information.