[X]
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No fee required.
Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a‑6(i)(1) and 0‑11.
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Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
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Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
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Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0‑11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and
state how it was determined):
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Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
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Total fee paid:
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[ ] | Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. |
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Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0‑11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously.
Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
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Amount Previously Paid:
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Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
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Filing Party:
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Date Filed:
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1.
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To approve a new Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust, on behalf of the Fund, and Aspiration Fund Adviser, LLC.
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2.
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To transact such other business as may properly come before the Meeting.
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Sincerely,
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/s/ Andrei Cherny
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Andrei Cherny
President
Aspiration Funds
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1.
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To approve a new Investment Advisory Agreement between Aspiration Funds, on behalf of the Fund, and Aspiration Fund
Adviser, LLC.
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2.
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To transact such other business as may properly come before the Meeting.
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To vote by Telephone:
(1) Read the Proxy Statement and have your control number at hand.
(2) Call the toll-free number shown on your Proxy Card.
(3) Enter the control number shown on your Proxy Card and follow the simple instructions.
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To vote by Internet:
(1) Read the Proxy Statement and have your control number at hand.
(2) Go to the website shown on your Proxy Card.
(3) Enter the control number shown on your Proxy Card and follow the simple instructions.
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By Order of the Board of Trustees of Aspiration Funds
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/s/ Andrei Cherny
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Andrei Cherny
President
November 23, 2021
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(i)
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Nature, Extent, and Quality of Services. The Trustees noted that they had considered the responsibilities of
the Adviser under the Current Advisory Agreement and that those responsibilities would not change under the New Advisory Agreement. The Trustees reviewed the services being provided by the Adviser to the Fund including, without limitation,
the quality of its investment advisory services since the Fund’s inception; its procedures for overseeing the Sub-Adviser’s investment process and decisions, and assuring compliance with the Fund’s investment objectives, policies and
limitations; its coordination of services for the Fund among the Fund’s service providers; and its efforts to promote the Fund, grow the Fund’s assets and assist in the distribution of the Fund’s shares. The Trustees also evaluated: the
Adviser’s staffing, personnel, and methods of operation; the education and experience of the Adviser’s personnel; the Adviser’s compliance program; and the financial condition of the Adviser. The Trustees also considered that the Adviser’s
belief that the Transaction is anticipated to provide the Adviser with additional capital that will support the ongoing operations of the Adviser and the Fund. The Trustees also considered that the Adviser advised the Board that the
information previously provided to the Board in connection with the renewal of the Current Advisory Agreement had not materially changed. The Trustees also considered that the Adviser is expected to continue providing the same level of
compliance operational support to the Fund under the New Advisory Agreement. After reviewing the foregoing information and further information from the Adviser, the Board concluded that the nature, extent, and quality of the services
provided by the Adviser were satisfactory and adequate for the Fund.
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(ii)
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Performance. The Trustees considered that they had previously compared the performance of the Fund with the
performance of its benchmark index, comparable funds with similar strategies managed by other investment advisers, and applicable peer group data (e.g., Broadridge peer group averages); the consistency of the Adviser’s management of the
Fund with its investment objective, policies and limitations; the short-term investment performance of the Fund; the Adviser’s experience overseeing the management of the Fund; and the Adviser’s historical investment performance. The
Trustees noted that the Adviser had advised the Board that the information previously provided to the Board in connection with the renewal of the Current Advisory Agreement has not materially changed. Upon further consideration, the Board
concluded that the investment performance of the Fund and the Adviser was satisfactory.
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(iii)
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Fees and Expenses; Fall-out Benefits to the Adviser. The Board consider the fees and expenses in connection
with the Adviser’s management of the Fund, including any fall-out benefits derived by the Adviser and its affiliates resulting from its relationship with the Fund. In considering the costs of the services provided by the Adviser and the
benefits derived by the Adviser and its affiliates, the Trustees noted that the management fee for the Fund is 0% of average daily net assets, with shareholders being made up entirely of clients of the Adviser, and that those clients pay
the Adviser directly, rather than through the Fund via a management fee charged to the Fund. The Trustees noted that the clients of the Adviser may choose to pay the Adviser between 0% and 2%. The Trustees considered the Adviser’s
staffing, personnel, and methods of operation; the education and experience of the Adviser’s personnel; the Adviser’s compliance program; the financial condition of the Adviser; the level of commitment to the Fund and the Adviser’s by the
principals of the Adviser; the asset levels of the Fund; the overall expenses of the Fund, including certain prior fee waivers and reimbursements by the Adviser; and the nature and frequency of advisory fee payments. The Trustees reviewed
the financial statements for the Adviser and discussed its financial stability following the Transaction. The Trustees also considered the potential benefits for the Adviser in managing the Fund, including the promotion of the Adviser’s
name and the ability for the Adviser to place small accounts into the Fund. The Trustees considered that they had previously compared the fees and expenses of the Fund (including the management fees) to other funds comparable in terms of
the type of fund, the nature of its investment strategy, and its style of investment management, among other factors, in connection with the renewal of the Current Advisory Agreement. Upon further consideration and discussion of the
foregoing, the Board concluded that, due to the Adviser’s receipt of payment directly from its clients, the lack of fees to be paid to the Adviser by the Fund was fair and reasonable in relation to the nature and quality of the services
provided by the Adviser and that it reflected charges that were within a range of what could have been negotiated at arm’s length.
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(iv)
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Profitability. The Trustees considered that they had previously reviewed the Adviser’s profitability in
connection with its management of the Fund in connection with the renewal of the Current Advisory Agreement and considered the impact of the Transaction on profitability. The Board considered the quality of the Adviser’s service to the
Fund, in connection with the Adviser’s “Pay What Is Fair” model.
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(v)
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Economies of Scale. The Trustees noted that the Fund does not have a traditional advisory fee. The Trustees
noted that shareholders would benefit from their ability to individually allocate between 0.0% and 2.0% of the net asset value of their account per year as payment to the Adviser. The Trustees noted that, in connection with their review of
the Current Advisory Agreement, they had previously reviewed the Fund’s operational history (and noted that the size of the Fund had not provided an opportunity to realize economies of scale), and noted that the Fund was a relatively small
size and economies of scale were unlikely to be achievable in the near future. Following further discussion of the Fund’s asset levels and expectations for growth, the Board determined that the Fund’s fee arrangements were fair and
reasonable at the present time in relation to the nature and quality of the services provided by the Adviser.
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1. |
Appointment. The Trust hereby appoints the Investment Adviser to act as investment adviser to the Fund(s) for the period and on the terms set forth in this
Agreement. The Investment Adviser accepts such appointment and agrees to furnish the services herein set forth for the compensation herein provided. Additional investment portfolios may from time to time be added to those covered by this
Agreement by the parties executing a new Schedule A, which shall become effective upon its execution and shall supersede any Schedule A having an earlier date.
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2. |
Delivery of Documents. The Trust has furnished the Investment Adviser with copies, properly certified or authenticated, of each of the following:
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(a) |
the Trust’s Certificate of Trust, filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on October 22, 2013, and any and all amendments thereto or restatements thereof (the
“Certificate of Trust”);
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(b) |
The Trust’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust, executed as of October 16, 2013, and any and all amendments thereto or restatements thereof;
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(c) |
the Trust’s By-Laws and any and all amendments thereto or restatements thereof;
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(d) |
resolutions of the Trust’s Board of Trustees authorizing the appointment of the Investment Adviser and approving this Agreement;
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(e) |
the Trust’s Notification of Registration on Form N-8A under the 1940 Act, as filed with the Commission, and all amendments thereto;
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(f) |
the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”), and under the 1940 Act as filed with the Commission and
all amendments thereto; and
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(g) |
the most recent Prospectus, Summary Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information of each of the Funds (such Prospectus, Summary Prospectus and Statement of
Additional Information, as presently in effect, and all amendments and supplements thereto, are herein collectively referred to as the “Prospectus”).
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3. |
Management. Subject to the supervision of the Trust’s Board of Trustees, the Investment Adviser will provide a continuous investment program for the Fund(s),
including investment research and management with respect to all securities and investments and cash equivalents in the Fund(s). The Investment Adviser will determine from time to time what securities and other investments will be purchased,
retained or sold by the Trust with respect to the Fund(s). The Investment Adviser will provide the services under this Agreement in accordance with each Fund’s investment objectives, policies, and restrictions as stated in the Prospectus and
resolutions of the Trust’s Board of Trustees. The Investment Adviser further agrees that it:
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(a) |
will use the same skill and care in providing such services as it uses in providing services to its other accounts for which it has investment responsibilities;
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(b) |
will conform with all applicable Rules and Regulations of the Commission under the 1940 Act and, in addition, will conduct its activities under this Agreement in
accordance with any applicable regulations of any governmental authority pertaining to the investment advisory activities of the Investment Adviser;
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(c) |
will place or cause to be placed orders for a Fund either directly with the issuer or with any broker or dealer. Subject to the provisions of Section 28(e) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the Investment Adviser may effect securities transactions which cause the Fund to pay an amount of commission in excess of the amount of commission another broker or dealer would have charged,
provided that the Investment Adviser determined in good faith that such amount of commission is reasonable in relation to the value of brokerage and research services provided by the broker or dealer utilized by the Investment Adviser.
However, a broker or dealer’s sale or promotion of Fund shares shall not be a factor considered by the Investment Adviser or its personnel responsible for selecting brokers or dealers to effect securities transactions on behalf of the
Fund(s), nor shall the Investment Adviser enter into any agreement or understanding under which it will direct brokerage transactions or revenue generated by those transactions to brokers or dealers to pay for distribution of Fund shares. In
no instance will portfolio securities be purchased from or sold to the Trust’s principal underwriter, the Investment Adviser, or any affiliated person of the Trust, the Trust’s principal underwriter, or the Investment Adviser, except to the
extent permitted by the 1940 Act and the Commission;
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(d) |
will maintain all books and records with respect to the securities transactions of the Fund(s) and will furnish the Trust’s Board of Trustees with such periodic and
special reports as the Board may request; and
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(e) |
will treat confidentially and as proprietary information of the Trust all records and other information relative to the Trust and the Fund(s), including a Fund’s
portfolio holdings, and prior, present, or potential shareholders, and will not use such records and information for any purpose other than performance of its responsibilities and duties hereunder, except after prior notification to and
approval in writing by the Trust, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld and may not be withheld where the Investment Adviser may be exposed to civil or criminal contempt proceedings for failure to comply when requested to divulge
such information by duly constituted authorities, or when so requested by the Trust.
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4. |
Services Not Exclusive. The investment management services furnished by the Investment Adviser hereunder are not to be deemed exclusive, and the Investment
Adviser shall be free to furnish similar services to others so long as its services under this Agreement are not impaired thereby.
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5. |
Books and Records. In compliance with the requirements of Rule 31a-3 under the 1940 Act, the Investment Adviser hereby agrees that all records which it
maintains for the Fund(s) are the property of the Trust and further agrees to surrender promptly to the Trust any of such records upon the Trust’s request. The Investment Adviser further agrees to preserve for the periods prescribed by Rule
31a-2 under the 1940 Act the records required to be maintained by Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act.
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6. |
Expenses. During the term of this Agreement, the Investment Adviser will pay all expenses incurred by it in connection with its activities under this Agreement
other than the cost of securities (including brokerage commissions, if any, taxes, borrowing costs (such as dividend expenses on securities sold short and interest)) purchased for the Fund. The Investment Adviser shall not be obligated under
this Agreement to pay expenses of or for the Trust or any Fund not expressly assumed by the Investment Adviser in this Section 6 or as the Investment Adviser may voluntarily assume by separate written agreement.
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7. |
Compensation. For the services provided and the expenses assumed pursuant to this Agreement, the Fund(s) will pay the Investment Adviser and the Investment
Adviser will accept as full compensation therefor a fee as set forth on Schedule A hereto. The obligation of the Fund(s) to pay the above-described fee to the Investment Adviser will begin as of the date of the initial public sale of shares
in the Fund(s). The fee attributable to a Fund shall be the obligation of that particular Fund and not of any other Fund.
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8. |
Limitation of Liability. The Investment Adviser shall not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Fund in
connection with the performance of this Agreement, except a loss resulting from a breach of fiduciary duty with respect to the receipt of compensation for services or a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on
the part of the Investment Adviser in the performance of its duties or from reckless disregard by it of its obligations and duties under this Agreement.
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9. |
Duration and Termination. This Agreement will become effective with respect to each Fund listed on Schedule A as of the date first written above (or, if a
particular Fund is not in existence on that date, on the date a registration statement relating to that Fund becomes effective with the Commission), provided that it shall have been approved by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting
securities of such Fund, in accordance with the requirements under the 1940 Act, and, unless sooner terminated as provided herein, shall continue in effect until [ ]. Thereafter, if not terminated, this Agreement shall continue
in effect as to a particular Fund for successive one-year terms, provided that such continuance is specifically approved at least annually (a) by the vote of a majority of those members of the Trust’s Board of Trustees who are not parties to
this Agreement or interested persons of any party to this Agreement, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval, and (b) by the vote of a majority of the Trust’s Board of Trustees or by the vote of a
majority of all votes attributable to the outstanding shares of such Fund. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Agreement may be terminated as to a particular Fund at any time on 60 days’ written notice, without the payment of any penalty, by
the Trust (by vote of the Trust’s Board of Trustees or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of such Fund) or by the Investment Adviser. This Agreement will immediately terminate in the event of its assignment. As used in
this Agreement, the terms “majority of the outstanding voting securities”, “interested persons” and “assignment” shall have the same meanings as ascribed to such terms in the 1940 Act.
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10. |
Investment Adviser’s Representations. The Investment Adviser hereby represents and warrants that it is willing and possesses all requisite legal authority to
provide the services contemplated by this Agreement without violation of applicable law and regulations.
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11. |
Use of Name. The Trust and the Investment Adviser acknowledge that all rights to the name “Aspiration” or any variation thereof belong to Aspiration Partners
LLC (“Aspiration Partners”). Aspiration Partners has consented to the use by the Trust and by each Fund to the identifying word “Aspiration” in the name of the Trust and of each Fund. Such consent is conditioned upon the Trust’s employment of
an affiliate of Aspiration Partners as investment adviser to the Trust and to each Fund. There is no charge to the Trust for the consent to use this name.
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12. |
Confidentiality. Without the prior consent of the other party, no party shall disclose Confidential Information (as defined below) of any other party received
in connection with the services provided under this Agreement. The receiving party shall use the same degree of care as it uses to protect its own confidential information of like nature, but no less than a reasonable degree of care, to
maintain in confidence the Confidential Information of the disclosing party. The foregoing provisions shall not apply to any information that (i) is, at the time of disclosure, or thereafter becomes, part of the public domain through a source
other than the receiving party, (ii) is subsequently learned from a third party that, to the knowledge of the receiving party, is not under an obligation of confidentiality to the disclosing party, (iii) was known to the receiving party at
the time of disclosure, or (iv) is generated independently by the receiving party, or (v) is disclosed pursuant to applicable law, subpoena, applicable professional standards, request of a governmental or regulatory agency, or other process
after reasonable notice to the other party. The parties further agree that a breach of this provision would irreparably damage the other party and accordingly agree that each of them is entitled, in addition to all other remedies at law or in
equity, to an injunction or injunctions without bond or other security to prevent breaches of this provision.
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13. |
Amendment of this Agreement. No provision of this Agreement may be changed, waived, discharged or terminated orally, and no amendment of this Agreement shall
be effective until approved by the Board, including a majority of the trustees who are not interested persons of the Adviser or of the Trust, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval, and (if required
under interpretations of the 1940 Act by the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff) by vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund to which the amendment relates.
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14. |
Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and its provisions shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware.
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15. |
Miscellaneous. A copy of the Certificate of Trust is on file with the Secretary of State of Delaware, and notice is hereby given that this Agreement is
executed by the Trust on behalf of the Fund(s) by an officer of the Trust as an officer and not individually and that the obligations of or arising out of this Agreement are not binding upon any of the Trustees, officers or shareholders
individually but are binding only upon the assets and property belonging to the Trust.
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Aspiration Funds
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By: ________________________________________
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Name: ______________________________________
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Title: _______________________________________
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Aspiration Fund Adviser, LLC
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By: ________________________________________
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Name: ______________________________________
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Title: _______________________________________
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Name of Fund
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Compensation
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Aspiration Redwood Fund
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Annual rate of 0.00% of the average daily net assets of the Fund.
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Aspiration Funds
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By: ________________________________________
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Name: ______________________________________
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Title: _______________________________________
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Aspiration Fund Adviser, LLC
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By: ________________________________________
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Name: ______________________________________
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Title: _______________________________________
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Name and Address
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Principal Occupation
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Andrei H. Cherny
4551 Glencoe Avenue
Marina Del Rey, CA 90292
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Chief Executive Officer of Aspiration Partners, LLC and Aspiration Financial, LLC
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Stacey J. Gillespie
4551 Glencoe Avenue
Marina Del Rey, CA 90292
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Director and Chief Compliance Officer of Cipperman Compliance Services, LLC
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Michael J. Shuckerow
4551 Glencoe Avenue
Marina Del Rey, CA 90292
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Chief Legal Officer of Aspiration Partners, Inc.
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Name
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Positions Held with the Trust and the Adviser (or an Affiliated Entity)
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Andrei Cherny
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Trustee, Principal Executive Officer and President of the Trust; Chief Executive Officer of Aspiration Partners, LLC
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Alexandra Horigan
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Trustee of the Trust; Vice President of Strategic Initiatives of Aspiration Partners, Inc.
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Michael J. Shuckerow
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Treasurer, Principal Accounting Officer, and Principal Financial Officer of the Trust; Chief Legal Officer of Aspiration Partners, Inc.
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Fund
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Shares
Outstanding
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Aspiration Redwood Fund
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8,156,415.27
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PROXY
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PROXY
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Receipt of Notice of Meeting and Proxy Statement is hereby acknowledged.
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CONTROL #:
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SHARES:
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Note: Signature(s) should be exactly as name or names appearing on this
proxy. If shares are held jointly, each holder should sign. When signing in a fiduciary capacity, such as by attorney, executor, administrator, trustee or guardian, etc., please give full title. Corporate and partnership proxies should be
signed by an authorized person. By signing this proxy card, receipt of the accompanying Notice of Special Meeting of Shareholders and Proxy Statement is acknowledged.
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Signature(s) (Title(s), if applicable)
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Date
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THERE ARE 3 EASY WAYS TO VOTE YOUR PROXY:
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1.
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By Phone: Call Okapi Partners toll-free at: 844-343-2643 to vote with a live proxy services representative. Representatives are available to take your vote or to answer any questions Monday through Friday 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM (EST).
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OR
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2.
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By Internet: Refer to your proxy card for the control number and go to: WWW.OKAPIVOTE.COM/ASPIRATION2021 and follow the simple on-screen instructions.
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OR
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3.
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By Mail: Sign, Date, and Return this proxy card by mail to Aspiration Redwood Fund, C/O Okapi Partners LLC, 1212 Avenue of the Americas, 24th Floor, New York, NY 10036.
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THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE PROPOSAL LISTED BELOW
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FOR |
AGAINST
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ABSTAIN
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1.
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To approve a New Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust, on behalf of the Fund, and Aspiration Fund Adviser, LLC. | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ||
To transact any other business that may properly come before the Meeting or any adjournment
or postponement thereof in the discretion of the proxies or their substitutes
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