Our History
Trillium Asset Management is at the forefront of thought leadership and continues to draw from decades of experience focused exclusively on responsible investing. Trillium’s founder, Joan Bavaria, was a true visionary and served as an early catalyst for change in the investment industry. The firm’s innovative approach led to the creation of numerous organizations, the development of the ESG investment field, and the first generation of investors focused on improved environmental, social, and governance outcomes.
Today, the firm is an impact-driven, ESG-focused firm dedicated to aligning values with investment objectives. Trillium’s commitment to active ownership and shareholder advocacy has contributed to concrete and positive change.

Joan Bavaria founded Trillium in 1982 to provide a space for clients to invest their money in alignment with their values. She is often referred to as the “Founding Mother” of Socially Responsible Investing. Under Joan’s visionary leadership, Trillium grew to become one of the largest SRI investment firms in the U.S. Joan was proud to use Trillium as an incubator to create organizations with impact. Our firm helped nurture US SIF, Ceres, SIRAN and Open MIC.
Trillium Celebrates Over 40 Years of Investing for a Better World
For over 40 years, Trillium has remained steadfast in our goal to advance humankind towards a global sustainable economy, a just society, and a better world. Learn more about our impact over the years.
Assets Under Advisement*
Founded
Distinct Strategies
Milestones
Trillium is founded
as Franklin Research & Development by Joan Bavaria; becomes first dedicated SRI Advisor
1982
US SIF
(formerly the Social Investment Forum) is cofounded by Joan Bavaria
1984
Ceres
a nonprofit organization mobilizing businesses and investor leadership on environmental issues is cofounded by Joan Bavaria
1989
First Institutional Strategy
launched by the firm
1994
Trillium becomes the first investment manager to file a shareholder resolution
on sexual orientation with Johnson & Johnson
1995
Trillium becomes signatory of UNPRI
UN Principles for Responsible Investment
2007
Trillium becomes a certified B Corp
the fourth financial firm to receive this recognition
2008
Trillium agrees to be acquired
by Australian Financial Firm Perpetual Ltd.
2020
Trillium recognized as ’Best for World Overall’ Honoree
for tenth consecutive year*
2022
Why Trillium Asset Management?
Trillium offers strategies designed to advance humankind towards a global sustainable economy, a just society, and a better world
Innovators in ESG:
at the forefront of ESG thought leadership and drawing from decades of experience focused exclusively on responsible investing, Trillium uses a holistic, fully integrated fundamental investment process to uncover compelling long-term investment opportunities
Dedicated to Impact:
Trillium believes that ‘impact is active’ and leverages the full breadth of company resources, including a dedicated shareholder advocacy team, to engage with companies and governments, activating stakeholders’ assets in an effort to create concrete, positive social and environmental change on a global scale
Commitment to Community:
devoted to aligning clients’ values and objectives by combining investment solutions with active ownership in order to provide ‘social dividends’