GGF 2021-2022 Annual Report
The Golden Griffin Fund (GGF) is an investment-management course for both undergraduate seniors and MBA finance majors at Canisius. The fund grew from its initial $100,000 investment from the college’s endowment, and is now valued at more than $400,000. The student-run, real-money investment fund is invested in over 30 individual stocks and three equity Exchange Traded Funds. It is specifically designed to educate students about the inner workings of the capital markets, while providing them with real-world learning experiences in investment management and equity analysis.
Read the 2021-2022 GGF Annual Report
GGF Fund Student Final Presentations
The presentation dates will be Thursday, 12/01/22 (1:00pm-4:30pm) and Friday, 12/02/22 (1:00pm-4:30pm).
These will be in person in Science Hall Commons and we expect to simulcast using Zoom (meeting details are below).
You may join by video and audio through your computer or phone. Please feel free to log in and out as much as you need - you will be admitted before the next presentation begins.
Join Zoom Meeting using the link below.
GGF Presentation Zoom Link
Application Process
Download the 2023-24 GGF application which is due to Professor Gattuso by January 31, 2023.
Apply to the Golden Griffin Fund
Bridging the Gap Between Theory and Practice
The Golden Griffin Fund requires students to research, create, and manage portfolio holdings (stocks), analyze and recommend companies to add to the portfolio, and grow the fund through the solicitation of new investors.
“The Golden Griffin Fund will help finance students bridge the gap between the classroom and the real investment world,” explains Nelson D. Civello, professor of finance and former professional adviser to the GGF. “Students analyze different business models and market opportunities, apply various valuation techniques, and understand fundamental industry drivers.”
In the fall, students focus on conducting corporate research, development of an investment strategy and potential stock selections. The spring semester concentrates on fundamental stock research that will ultimately compose and shape the portfolio. Full-time faculty advisors and professional mentors empower students to take over the fund and make important management decisions to grow its value.
The GGF operates out of a trading room known as the Financial Markets Lab in Old Main. The lab is furnished with various multimedia equipment including multiple PC workstations, cable-access televisions and data projection screens. In addition, the lab is equipped with eight Bloomberg Terminals which include the software platform for the Bloomberg Professional Service, which is a leading information system that enables students to receive up-to-the-minute information on the world financial markets. Canisius College was the first higher education institution in Western New York to have Bloomberg technology.
Steven A Gattuso, CFA, CFP, CMA, assistant professor of economics & finance, was named director of the GGF in August 2013. An alumnus of Canisius, Mr. Gattuso is a former assistant vice president and portfolio manager for M&T Bank Corporation/Wilmington Trust. Mr. Gattuso holds certified chartered financial analyst (CFA), certified financial planner (CFP), and certified management accountant (CMA) credentials. Currently he serves as president of the CFA Society of Buffalo.
CFA Institute Research Challenge
Canisius is one of only four universities worldwide to reach the Global Finals of this prestigious finance competition two or more times since 2015. Learn more about this invaluable opportunity for our finance students.
Watch: What is the CFA Challenge? Watch: Research Challenge Wrap-Up
