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Person

Bruce Boyd

Nationality:

American
Born:

1957 in Winnetka, Illinois
Occupation:

Principal and Senior Managing Director, Arabella Advisors

Former Senior Manager, the Nature Conservancy

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Bruce Boyd is the senior managing director of Arabella Advisors, and he oversees the company’s strategic planning, program implementation, and social impact evaluations. Boyd’s investment portfolio largely focuses on environmentalist issues including climate change and water and land conservation.1

Boyd is also involved with a number of related organizations. He is a senior advisor to the left-leaning grantmaking organization New Venture Fund and serves on the board of the Hopewell Fund 2 and the Windward Fund. 3

Previously, Boyd worked for 14 years as a senior manager and the Illinois program director of the Nature Conservancy where he shepherded millions of dollars contributed to support environmentalist land purchases 4 and the creation of burdensome environmentalist regulatory schemes.5 Bruce is an advocate of “local” organic farming subsidies. 6 Boyd has served on the boards of a number of left-leaning organizations that in turn donated money to Boyd’s favored organizations.7

Bruce inherited a nearly $5 million-dollar fortune,8 and in 2015 he gave the entirety of his family foundation’s remaining assets to a number of left-leaning organizations including the Nature Conservancy and the Chicago Community Trust.910

Personal History

Bruce Boyd attended New Trier High School in Winnetka, Illinois from 1972 through 1979.11 Bruce was the son of William Boyd, who served as the CEO of Sterling Faucet Company.12

Boyd graduated from Middlebury College in 1979, earned his law degree from the University of Chicago in 1984, and studied business at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management in 1992 and 1993.13 Bruce is married to Beth Boyd.14

Arabella Advisors

Bruce Boyd has served a principal and senior managing director at Arabella Advisors since 2007.15 Boyd runs Arabella’s Chicago office16 and oversees the company’s strategic planning, due diligence, program implementation, and social impact evaluations.17

Boyd’s portfolio touches on community development, human rights, education, and environmental issues. A “substantial portion” of Bruce’s recent investment and programming portfolio focuses on environmentalist “planetary health” issues including climate change and water and land conservation.”18

In 2015, Boyd was a speaker at Loyola University Chicago’s “Divestment Action Workshop” discussing the risks and operations of environmentalist-led divestment programs designed to target the traditional energy industries.19

New Venture Fund

Bruce Boyd is a senior advisor to the New Venture Fund,20 is a 501(c)(3) grant-making intermediary often used by Arabella clients.21 NVF retains Arabella to provide “management services” for the organization; in 2015, NVF paid Arabella over $13 million.22

New Venture Fund provides project hosting and fiscal sponsorship for programs across numerous left-leaning issue areas including government funded healthcare, environmentalist conservation, and increased government funding for education and the arts.23

Windward and Hopewell Funds

Boyd also serves on the board of directors of the Windward Fund24 and is a senior advisor to the Hopewell Fund. 25 Both funds serve as fiscal sponsorship conduits for Arabella Advisors clients and are operated by Arabella’s upper management.26 27 28 These funds work together in support of Arabella’s left-leaning prerogatives.29

Nature Conservancy

From 1993 to 2007 Boyd served as a senior manager at the Nature Conservancy.30 While at the Conservancy, he launched numerous local, regional and global environmentalist land grabs and grew the size and scope of his chapter by 1500%.31

At the Nature Conservancy, Boyd led the Illinois Program, the Upper Mississippi River Project, and the four-continent Great Rivers Partnership.32

In 2005, Boyd used a $2.5 million grant from the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation to burden an additional 1,000 acres in Northwest Illinois with anti-development environmentalist controls.33

Boyd “played a central role in creating” the Great Rivers Partnership, which sought to impose environmentalist water regulations on freshwater systems across the world including in America.34

Left-Leaning Food Advocacy

Boyd was an advisory board member of the Sustain USA Project,35 which ran campaigns that encouraged policymakers to take action in support of organic local farming in the Chicago area.36 In 2008, he wrote an op-ed to criticize the food production and distribution system and to call for “widespread systemic change” toward localized food manufacturing.37 He tenuously linked out of state food production, even organic food production, to higher obesity rates. 38

Boyd concluded that the government needed to provide financial subsidies for locally grown organic food production and should create environmentalist regulations that prevent the future development of farmland located specifically near urban centers.39

Boyd Family Foundation

In 2014 and 2015 the Boyd Family Foundation, under Bruce’s direction, depleted its assets and gave over $145,000 to six schools or charities including the Nature Conservancy, the NSCAA Foundation, the Jo Daviess Conservation Foundation, and $136,790 to the Chicago Community Trust.40 41

Other Involvement

Boyd previously served on the board of directors of the Environmental Grantmakers Association, a membership organization that seeks to connect environmental organizations with grant funders.42 He also previously served on the board of governors for Opportunity International, an organization that provides micro-finance loans to individuals living in developing countries. 43

Boyd has also served on the board at the David K. Hardin Generativity Trust, 44 the Morrison Family Foundation, and the Donors Forum of Illinois.45 In 2002 the Hardin Trust gave thousands of dollars to left-leaning nonprofits with ties to Boyd including the Nature Conservancy, the Merit Music Program, and the Chicago Community Foundation. 46 Boyd was also the Vice Chairman of Chicago Wilderness, which is a coalition of conservation organizations.47

Bruce has served as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, 48 where he taught wealthy individuals how to safeguard their money using a variety of nonprofit tax shelters and other tax avoidance schemes for high-net-worth people.49

References

  1. Loyola University of Chicago: Institute of Environmental Sustainability. “Divestment Action Workshop Bios.” March 19-21, 2015. Accessed May 11, 2018. https://www.luc.edu/sustainability/initiatives/climatechange/2015conference/divestmentworkshop/divestmentactionworkshopbios/
  2. “BRUCE BOYD: Senior Advisor.” Hopewell Fund. Undated. Accessed May 11, 2018. https://www.hopewellfund.org/bruce-boyd-main/
  3. “BRUCE BOYD: Director.” Windward Fund. Undated. Accessed May 11, 2018. https://www.windwardfund.org/bruce-boyd-main/
  4. The Nature Conservancy. “The Nature Conservancy’s Nachusa Grasslands Preserve Expands to 2,500 Acres.” Great News Network Newswire. June 29, 2005. Accessed May 11, 2018. http://www.greatnewswire.com/wire/press_release/4135
  5. “The Arabella Team: Bruce Boyd.” Archived December 21, 2008. Undated. Accessed May 11, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20081221225835/http://www.arabellaadvisors.com:80/pages/Staff.html
  6. Boyd, Bruce. “Fast Food and the Family Farm.” Standford Social Innovation Review. Summer 2008. Accessed May 11, 2018. https://ssir.org/articles/entry/fast_food_and_the_family_farm
  7. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax: Private Foundation: David K. Hardin Generativity Trust. Statement 12. 2002. May 12, 2003. Accessed May 17, 2018. https://www.guidestar.org/FinDocuments/2002/367/068/2002-367068824-1-F.pdf
  8. Rodkin, Dennis. “Beachfront Wilmette home listed for nearly $5 million.” Crain’s Chicago Business. September 4, 2014. Accessed May 11, 2018. http://www.chicagobusiness.com/realestate/20140904/CRED0701/140909931/beachfront-wilmette-home-listed-for-nearly-5-million
  9. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax: Private Foundation: Boyd Family Foundation. 2014. November 10, 2015. Accessed May 17, 2018. http://990s.foundationcenter.org/990pf_pdf_archive/364/364333833/364333833_201412_990PF.pdf
  10. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax: Private Foundation: Boyd Family Foundation. 2015. September 20, 2016. Accessed May 17, 2018. http://990s.foundationcenter.org/990pf_pdf_archive/364/364333833/364333833_201512_990PF.pdf
  11. Boyd, Bruce. Linkedin Page. Linkedin.com website. Undated. Accessed May 11, 2018. https://www.linkedin.com/in/bruce-boyd-402089a/
  12. Rodkin, Dennis. “Beachfront Wilmette home listed for nearly $5 million.” Crain’s Chicago Business. September 4, 2014. Accessed May 11, 2018. http://www.chicagobusiness.com/realestate/20140904/CRED0701/140909931/beachfront-wilmette-home-listed-for-nearly-5-million
  13. Boyd, Bruce. Linkedin Page. Linkedin.com website. Undated. Accessed May 11, 2018. https://www.linkedin.com/in/bruce-boyd-402089a/
  14. Friends of Naschua Grasslands. “Friends of Naschua Grasslands: 2014-2015 Annual Report.” Accessed May 11, 2018. https://www.nachusagrasslands.org/uploads/5/8/4/6/58466593/2015_friends_of_nachusa_grasslands_annual_report_4.pdf
  15. Boyd, Bruce. Linkedin Page. Linkedin.com website. Undated. Accessed May 11, 2018. https://www.linkedin.com/in/bruce-boyd-402089a/
  16. “BRUCE BOYD: Director.” Windward Fund. Undated. Accessed May 11, 2018. https://www.windwardfund.org/bruce-boyd-main/
  17. “BRUCE BOYD: Director.” Windward Fund. Undated. Accessed May 11, 2018. https://www.windwardfund.org/bruce-boyd-main/
  18. Loyola University of Chicago: Institute of Environmental Sustainability. “Divestment Action Workshop Bios.” March 19-21, 2015. Accessed May 11, 2018. https://www.luc.edu/sustainability/initiatives/climatechange/2015conference/divestmentworkshop/divestmentactionworkshopbios/
  19. Loyola University of Chicago: Institute of Environmental Sustainability. “Divestment Action Workshop Bios.” March 19-21, 2015. Accessed May 11, 2018. https://www.luc.edu/sustainability/initiatives/climatechange/2015conference/divestmentworkshop/divestmentactionworkshopbios/
  20. New Venture Fund. New Venture Fund: Senior Advisors. Newventurefund.org website. Undated. Accessed May 11, 2018. http://www.newventurefund.org/about-nvf/senior-advisors/
  21. University of Chicago, Chicago Booth Executive Education. Private Wealth Management. October 27-30, 2015. Accessed May 11, 2018. https://execed.economist.com/booth-school-business/private-wealth-management-2015-10-27
  22. New Venture Fund, Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990), 2015, Part VII Section B
  23. New Venture Fund. Homepage. Undated. Accessed May 11, 2018. http://www.newventurefund.org/
  24. “BRUCE BOYD: Director.” Windward Fund. Undated. Accessed May 11, 2018. https://www.windwardfund.org/bruce-boyd-main/
  25. “BRUCE BOYD: Senior Advisor.” Hopewell Fund. Undated. Accessed May 11, 2018. https://www.hopewellfund.org/bruce-boyd-main/
  26. Moskovitz, Diana. “What The Hell Is The Hopewell Fund?” Deadspin. December 1, 2017. Accessed May 11, 2018. https://deadspin.com/what-the-hell-is-the-hopewell-fund-1820881123
  27. “Windward Fund: About Us.” WindwardFund.org website. Undated. Accessed May 11, 2018. https://www.windwardfund.org/about-the-fund/
  28. “Hopewell Fund: About Us.” HopewellFund.org website. Undated. Accessed May 11, 2018. https://www.hopewellfund.org/about-the-fund/
  29. Moskovitz, Diana. “What The Hell Is The Hopewell Fund?” Deadspin. December 1, 2017. Accessed May 11, 2018. https://deadspin.com/what-the-hell-is-the-hopewell-fund-1820881123
  30. “BRUCE BOYD: Director.” Windward Fund. Undated. Accessed May 11, 2018. https://www.windwardfund.org/bruce-boyd-main/
  31. “The Arabella Team: Bruce Boyd.” Archived December 21, 2008. Undated. Accessed May 11, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20081221225835/http://www.arabellaadvisors.com:80/pages/Staff.html
  32. “BRUCE BOYD: Director.” Windward Fund. Undated. Accessed May 11, 2018. https://www.windwardfund.org/bruce-boyd-main/
  33. The Nature Conservancy. “The Nature Conservancy’s Nachusa Grasslands Preserve Expands to 2,500 Acres.” Great News Network Newswire. June 29, 2005. Accessed May 11, 2018. http://www.greatnewswire.com/wire/press_release/4135
  34. “The Arabella Team: Bruce Boyd.” Archived December 21, 2008. Undated. Accessed May 11, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20081221225835/http://www.arabellaadvisors.com:80/pages/Staff.html
  35. Sustain USA: Sustain Advisory Board. Sustain USA Website. Undated. Accessed May 11, 2018. http://www.sustainusa.org/advisory.html
  36. “Sustain USA Project.” Sustain USA Website. Undated. Accessed May 11, 2018. http://www.sustainusa.org/
  37. Boyd, Bruce. “Fast Food and the Family Farm.” Standford Social Innovation Review. Summer 2008. Accessed May 11, 2018. https://ssir.org/articles/entry/fast_food_and_the_family_farm
  38. Boyd, Bruce. “Fast Food and the Family Farm.” Standford Social Innovation Review. Summer 2008. Accessed May 11, 2018. https://ssir.org/articles/entry/fast_food_and_the_family_farm
  39. Boyd, Bruce. “Fast Food and the Family Farm.” Standford Social Innovation Review. Summer 2008. Accessed May 11, 2018. https://ssir.org/articles/entry/fast_food_and_the_family_farm
  40. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax: Private Foundation: Boyd Family Foundation. 2014. November 10, 2015. Accessed May 17, 2018. http://990s.foundationcenter.org/990pf_pdf_archive/364/364333833/364333833_201412_990PF.pdf
  41. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax: Private Foundation: Boyd Family Foundation. 2015. September 20, 2016. Accessed May 17, 2018. http://990s.foundationcenter.org/990pf_pdf_archive/364/364333833/364333833_201512_990PF.pdf
  42. Environmental Grantmakers Association. Programs: Member Services. Undated.  Accessed May 11, 2018. https://ega.org/about/programs
  43. “The Arabella Team: Bruce Boyd.” Archived December 21, 2008. Undated. Accessed May 11, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20081221225835/http://www.arabellaadvisors.com:80/pages/Staff.html
  44. “The Arabella Team: Bruce Boyd.” Archived December 21, 2008. Undated. Accessed May 11, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20081221225835/http://www.arabellaadvisors.com:80/pages/Staff.html
  45. “BRUCE BOYD: Director.” Windward Fund. Undated. Accessed May 11, 2018. https://www.windwardfund.org/bruce-boyd-main/
  46. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax: Private Foundation: David K. Hardin Generativity Trust. Statement 12. 2002. May 12, 2003. Accessed May 17, 2018. https://www.guidestar.org/FinDocuments/2002/367/068/2002-367068824-1-F.pdf
  47. New Venture Fund. New Venture Fund: Senior Advisors. Newventurefund.org website. Undated. Accessed May 11, 2018. http://www.newventurefund.org/about-nvf/senior-advisors/
  48. University of Chicago, Chicago Booth Executive Education. Private Wealth Management. October 27-30, 2015. Accessed May 11, 2018. https://execed.economist.com/booth-school-business/private-wealth-management-2015-10-27
  49. University of Chicago, Chicago Booth Executive Education. About Us: Bruce Boyd. Undated. Accessed May 11, 2018. https://www.chicagobooth.edu/executiveeducation/about-us/faculty/bruce-boyd?FacID
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