Poetry Foundation Selects Bivium Westfuller as Outsourced Chief Investment Officer

Chicago, IL, June 25, 2025 — The Poetry Foundation has selected Bivium Westfuller (BWF) as its outsourced chief investment officer (OCIO). This partnership marks a momentous milestone in the Foundation's ongoing commitment to maximizing the impact of its endowment through ethical, innovative, and sustainable investment strategies.

Following a comprehensive search process, BWF was chosen by Poetry Foundation leadership for its exceptional record of asset management, strategic portfolio allocation, and compatibility with the Foundation’s long-term goals and ethics. As OCIO, BWF will be responsible for: 

• Overseeing the Foundation’s investment portfolio, ensuring its alignment with its mission and its organizational values of sharing, collaboration, equity, access, innovation, and growth
• Managing the Foundation’s endowment to optimize returns while mitigating risk
• Advising on strategic investment decisions
• Delivering viable risk-adjusted returns alongside positive social and environmental impact
• Enhancing operational efficiency
• Providing transparent reporting to the Foundation’s leadership 
• Developing a revised Investment Policy Statement (IPS) alongside Foundation leadership

“The Poetry Foundation is thrilled to partner with Bivium Westfuller to steward our financial resources,” said Poetry Foundation board chair, Gwendolyn Perry Davis. “Their expertise and tailored approach to investment management will play a critical role in ensuring the Foundation’s ability to make meaningful contributions to our communities and beyond for years to come.”

Financial Stewardship in Support of Poetry
In recent years, the Poetry Foundation has changed its approach to the stewardship of its resources. In 2020, the Foundation provided emergency funds to support poetry and affiliated nonprofit organizations struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic, and divested from funds that profit from arms, fossil fuels, and prisons. Two years later, the Foundation transitioned from an exempt, operating foundation to a private, non-operating foundation, launching an official grantmaking strategy. 

Today, the Foundation’s grants fund nonprofit poetry organizations, presses, publications, and select literary arts service and membership organizations based in the United States and its territories. Awarding more than $10 million to date, the Foundation’s grantmaking strategy reflects its pledge to strengthen the field of poetry and foster sustainability within the literary arts sector. Its latest national philanthropic initiative will provide $3 million in multi-year general operating support grants to 12 poetry organizations, in addition to the continuation of annual unrestricted funding to eligible applicants.

Impactful Investing for a Sustainable Future
Adopting an OCIO model with BWF ensures ethical investment practices and sustains long-term financial health. The decision to work with BWF reflects the Foundation’s dedication to working with values-aligned partners to achieve strategic goals and support the poetry ecosystem in the United States. 

“Transitioning from a longstanding consultant relationship to an OCIO was a significant step for the Poetry Foundation,” said chief operating officer, Jenny Casteller. “After conducting a rigorous search, we were impressed not only with Bivium Westfuller’s strength as investors but with their alignment with our vision of transforming lives through poetry.”

The new partnership between the Poetry Foundation and Bivium Westfuller underscores a shared commitment to excellence, innovation, and responsible stewardship of financial resources. Both organizations are looking forward to a fulfilling, growth-oriented partnership in service to their missions.

"There is no greater privilege than stewarding resources that can simultaneously grow the Poetry Foundation's assets and support its core commitment to poetry and the literary arts as a catalyst for change," said Lawrence Bancroft, CEO of Bivium Capital Partners and co-head of BWF. 

"Our goal is to help the Foundation maximize both financial and social returns through strategic investing that serves as a powerful force for social good," added Ian Fuller, CEO of Westfuller Advisors and co-head of BWF.

About Bivium Westfuller
Bivium Westfuller (BWF) Bivium Westfuller is a full-service provider of mission-aligned Outsourced Chief Investment Officer (OCIO) solutions. We partner with mission-driven organizations to pursue investment performance in alignment with, not at the expense of, values. Our bespoke discretionary and non-discretionary models offer a complete suite of services, from the design and implementation of Investment Policy Statements and Strategic Asset Allocations, to selecting investment managers across the efficient frontier, constructing alpha-seeking portfolios, providing comprehensive investment and impact reporting, offering a range of back-office support, and serving as an educator and thought leader partner to our clients.

Formed as a joint venture in 2020 between SEC Registered Investment Advisors Bivium Capital Partners (founded in 2002) and Westfuller Advisors (founded in 2011), Bivium Westfuller represents a new class of values-aligned providers, deploying assets with intention and without compromise.

About the Poetry Foundation
The Poetry Foundation recognizes the power of words to transform lives. The Foundation works to amplify poetry and celebrate poets by fostering spaces for all to create, experience, and share poetry. Follow the Poetry Foundation and Poetry magazine on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

Media Contact
Liz O’Connell-Thompson, Media Manager, [email protected]