Fund Administration Agreement: Definition, Terms, Example
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What is a Fund Administration Agreement?
A fund administration agreement is a legal contract between a fund administrator and a client that allows administrators to handle a client's money. A fund administrator is a third-party service that acts as a middleman between a fund manager and an investor . Their job is to verify and distribute assets associated with investments. A fund adminstration agreement ensures that all three involved parties adequately understand their roles and responsibilities in an agreement.
The specific job of a fun adminstrator varies based on a fund's industry and individual demands. For example, a few of the most common types of fund administrators are private equity fund adminstration and hedge fund administrtation, who each have their own jobs and responsibilities.
Common Sections in Fund Administration Agreements
Below is a list of common sections included in Fund Administration Agreements. These sections are linked to the below sample agreement for you to explore.
Fund Administration Agreement Sample
Exhibit (h)(1)
NORTHEAST INVESTORS GROWTH FUND
FUND ADMINISTRATION AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT is made as of October 1, 2012, among Northeast Investors Growth Fund, organized as a business trust under the laws of the State of Massachusetts (the “Fund”), and ALPS Fund Services, Inc., a Colorado corporation (“ALPS”).
WHEREAS, the Fund is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (“1940 Act”), as a diversified, open-end registered management investment company, presently consisting of, among others, the series listed in Appendix A (the “Fund”);
WHEREAS, Northeast Management & Research Company, Inc. is the Fund’s investment adviser and is responsible for managing the Fund’s business affairs and providing certain clerical, bookkeeping and other administrative and management services;
WHEREAS, ALPS provides certain administrative services to investment companies; and
WHEREAS, the Fund desires to appoint ALPS to perform certain administrative services for the Fund, and ALPS has indicated its willingness to so act, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants hereinafter contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:
| 1. | ALPS Appointment and Duties. |
| (a) | The Fund on behalf of the Fund hereby appoints ALPS to provide the administrative services for the Fund set forth in Appendix B hereto, as amended from time to time, upon the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth. ALPS hereby accepts such appointment and agrees to furnish such specified services. ALPS shall for all purposes be deemed to be an independent contractor and shall, except as otherwise expressly authorized in this Agreement, have no authority to act for or represent the Fund in any way or otherwise be deemed an agent of the Fund. |
| (b) | ALPS may employ or associate itself with a person or persons or organizations as ALPS believes to be desirable in the performance of its duties hereunder; provided that, in such event, the compensation of such person or persons or organizations shall be paid by and be the sole responsibility of ALPS, and the Fund shall bear no cost or obligation with respect thereto; and provided further that ALPS shall not be relieved of any of its obligations under this Agreement in such event and shall be responsible for all acts of any such person or persons or |
| organizations taken in furtherance of this Agreement to the same extent it would be for its own acts. |
| 2. | ALPS Compensation; Expenses. |
| (a) | In consideration for the services to be performed hereunder by ALPS, the Fund shall pay ALPS the fees listed in Appendix C hereto. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, fees billed for the services to be performed by ALPS under this Agreement are based on information provided by the Fund’s investment adviser and such fees are subject to renegotiation between the parties hereto to the extent such information is determined to be materially different from what the Fund’s investment adviser originally provided to ALPS. During each year of the term of this Agreement, unless the parties shall otherwise agree and provided that the service mix and volumes remain consistent with those provided in the previous year of this Agreement, the fee that would be charged for the same services would be the base fee rate (as reflected in Appendix C) subject to an annual cost of living adjustment based on the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers, for the Denver-Boulder-Greeley area, as published bimonthly by the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, or, in the event that publication of such index is terminated, any successor or substitute index, appropriately adjusted, acceptable to all parties. |
| (b) | ALPS will bear all expenses in connection with the performance of its services under this Agreement, except as otherwise provided herein. ALPS will not bear any of the costs of Fund personnel. Other Fund expenses incurred shall be borne by the Fund or the Fund’s investment adviser, including, but not limited to, initial organization and offering expenses; litigation expenses; taxes; costs of preferred shares; expenses of conducting repurchase offers for the purpose of repurchasing Fund shares; transfer agency and custodial expenses; interest; Fund directors’/trustees’ fees; brokerage fees and commissions; state and federal registration fees; advisory fees; insurance premiums; fidelity bond premiums; Fund and investment advisory related legal expenses; costs of maintenance of Fund existence; printing and delivery of materials in connection with meetings of the Fund’s directors/trustees; printing and mailing of shareholder reports, prospectuses, statements of additional information other offering documents, supplements, proxy materials and other communications to shareholders; securities pricing data and expenses in connection with electronic filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). |
| 3. | Right to Receive Advice. |
| (a) | Advice of the Fund and Fund Service Providers. If ALPS is in doubt as to any action it should or should not take, ALPS may request directions, advice or instructions from the Fund or, as applicable, the Fund’s investment adviser, custodian or other service providers. |
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| (b) | Advice of Counsel. If ALPS is in doubt as to any question of law pertaining to any action it should or should not take, ALPS may request advice from counsel of its own choosing (who may be counsel for the Fund, the Fund’s investment adviser or ALPS, at the option of ALPS). |
| (c) | Conflicting Advice. In the event of a conflict between directions, advice or instructions ALPS receives from the Fund or any Fund service provider and the advice ALPS receives from counsel, ALPS may in its sole discretion rely upon and follow the advice of counsel. ALPS will provide the Fund with prior written notice of its intent to follow advice of counsel that is materially inconsistent with directions, advice or instructions from the Fund. Upon request, ALPS will provide the Fund with a copy of such advice of counsel. |
| 4. | Standard of Care; Limitation of Liability; Indemnification. |
| (a) | ALPS shall be obligated to act in good faith and to exercise commercially reasonable care and diligence in the performance of its duties under this Agreement. |
| (b) | In the absence of willful misfeasance, bad faith, negligence or reckless disregard by ALPS in the performance of its duties, obligations or responsibilities set forth in this Agreement, ALPS and its affiliates, including their respective officers, directors, agents and employees, shall not be liable for, and the Fund agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless such persons from, all taxes, charges, expenses, disbursements, assessments, claims, losses, damages, penalties, actions, suits, judgments and liabilities (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees and disbursements and liabilities arising under applicable federal and state laws) arising directly or indirectly from the following (provided, however, that with respect to (ii) and (v) below, the Fund’s obligation to indemnify, defend and hold harmless under this Section 4(b) shall only apply to the extent arising directly or indirectly from the Fund’s or its agents’ willful malfeasance, bad faith, negligence or reckless disregard in the performance of its duties, obligations or responsibilities): |
| (i) | the inaccuracy of factual information furnished to ALPS by the Fund or the Fund’s investment adviser, custodian or other service providers; |
| (ii) | any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Fund in connection with the matters to which this Agreement relates; |
| (iii) | ALPS’s reliance on any instruction, direction, notice, instrument or other information that ALPS reasonably believes to be genuine; |
| (iv) | loss of data or service interruptions caused by equipment failure; or |
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| (v) | any other action or omission to act which ALPS takes in connection with the provision of services to the Fund. |
| (c) | ALPS shall indemnify and hold harmless the Fund, the Fund’s investment adviser and their respective officers, directors, agents and employees from and against any and all taxes, charges, expenses, disbursements, assessments, claims, losses, damages, penalties, actions, suits, judgments and liabilities (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees and disbursements and liabilities arising under applicable federal and state laws) arising directly or indirectly from ALPS’s willful misfeasance, bad faith, negligence or reckless disregard in the performance of its duties, obligations or responsibilities set forth in this Agreement. |
| (d) | Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, neither party shall be liable under this Agreement to the other party hereto for any punitive, consequential, special or indirect losses or damages. Any indemnification payable by a party to this Agreement shall be net of insurance maintained by the indemnified party as of the time the claim giving rise to indemnity hereunder is alleged to have arisen to the extent it covers such claim. |
| (e) | In any case in which either party (the “Indemnifying Party”) may be asked to indemnify or hold the other party (the “Indemnified Party”) harmless, the Indemnified Party will notify the Indemnifying Party promptly after identifying any situation which it believes presents or appears likely to present a claim for indemnification against the Indemnifying Party, although the failure to do so shall not prevent recovery by the Indemnified Party in the absence of actual prejudice to the Indemnifying Party, and shall keep the Indemnifying Party advised with respect to all developments concerning such situation. The Indemnifying Party shall have the option to defend the Indemnified Party against any claim which may be the subject of this indemnification, and, in the event that the Indemnifying Party so elects, such defense shall be conducted by counsel chosen by the Indemnifying Party and reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Party, and thereupon the Indemnifying Party shall take over complete defense of the claim and the Indemnified Party shall sustain no further legal or other expenses in respect of such claim. The Indemnified Party will not confess any claim or make any compromise in any case in which the Indemnifying Part will be asked to provide indemnification, except with the Indemnifying Party’s prior written consent. |
| (f) | No party shall be liable for loses, delays, failures, errors, interruptions or losses of data in its performance of its obligations under this Agreement if and to the extent it is caused, directly or indirectly, by reason of circumstances beyond their reasonable control, including without limitation, acts of God, action or inaction of civil or military authority, war, terrorism, riot, fire, flood, sabotage, labor disputes, elements of nature or non-performance by a third party. In any such event, the non-performing party shall be excused from any further performance and observance of obligations so affected only for so long as such circumstances |
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| prevail and such party continues to use commercially reasonable efforts to recommence performance or observance as soon as practicable. |
| 5. | Activities of ALPS. The services of ALPS under this Agreement are not to be deemed exclusive, and ALPS shall be free to render similar services to others. The Fund recognizes that from time to time directors, officers and employees of ALPS may serve as directors, officers and employees of other corporations or businesses (including other investment companies) and that such other corporations and businesses may include ALPS as part of their name and that ALPS or its affiliates may enter into administrative agreements or other agreements with such other corporations and businesses. |
| 6. | Accounts and Records. The accounts and records maintained by ALPS on behalf of the Fund shall be the property of the Fund. ALPS shall prepare, maintain and preserve such accounts and records as required by the 1940 Act and other applicable securities laws, rules and regulations. ALPS shall surrender such accounts and records to the Fund, in the form in which such accounts and records have been maintained or preserved, promptly upon receipt of instructions from the Fund. The Fund shall have access to such accounts and records at all times during ALPS’s normal business hours. Upon the reasonable request of the Fund, copies of any such books and records shall be provided by ALPS to the Fund at the Fund’s expense. ALPS shall assist the Fund, the Fund’s independent auditors, or, upon approval of the Fund, any regulatory body, in any requested review of the Fund’s accounts and records and reports by ALPS or its independent accountants concerning its accounting system and internal auditing controls will be open to such entities for audit or inspection upon reasonable request. |
| 7. | Confidential and Proprietary Information. The Fund and ALPS shall each comply with all laws, rules and regulations relating to the privacy, confidentiality and the handling of personal financial information including but not limited to the Graham-Leach-Bliley Act, SEC Regulation S-P and Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 93H, to the extent applicable to ALPS’s duties under this Agreement. ALPS agrees that it will, on behalf of itself and its officers and employees, treat all transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and all records and information relative to the Fund and its current and former shareholders and other information germane thereto, as confidential and as proprietary information of the Fund and not to use, sell, transfer or divulge such information or records to any person for any purpose other than performance of its duties hereunder, except after prior notification to and approval in writing from the Fund, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld. Approval may not be withheld where ALPS may be exposed to civil, regulatory or criminal proceedings for failure to comply, when requested to divulge such information by duly constituted authorities, or when requested by the Fund. When requested to divulge such information by duly constituted authorities, ALPS shall use reasonable commercial efforts to request confidential treatment of such information. ALPS shall have in place and maintain physical, electronic and procedural safeguards reasonably designed to protect the security, confidentiality and integrity of, and to prevent unauthorized access to or use of records and information relating to the Fund and its current and former shareholders. |
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| 8. | Compliance with Rules and Regulations. ALPS shall comply (and to the extent ALPS takes or is required to take action on behalf of the Fund hereunder shall cause the Fund to comply) with all applicable requirements of the 1940 Act and other applicable laws, rules, regulations, orders and code of ethics, as well as all investment restrictions, policies and procedures adopted by the Fund on behalf of the Fund of which ALPS has knowledge (it being understood that ALPS is deemed to have knowledge of all investment restrictions, policies or procedures set out in the Fund’s public filings or otherwise provided to ALPS). Except as set out in this Agreement, ALPS assumes no responsibility for such compliance by the Fund or the Fund. ALPS shall maintain at all times a program reasonably designed to prevent violations of the federal securities laws (as defined in Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act) with respect to the services provided, and shall provide to the Fund a certification to such effect no less than annually or as otherwise reasonably requested by the Fund. ALPS shall make available its compliance personnel and shall provide at its own expense summaries and other relevant materials relating to such program as reasonably requested by the Fund. |
Portfolio compliance with: (i) the investment objective and certain policies and restrictions as disclosed in the Fund’s prospectus(es) and statement(s) of additional information, as applicable; and (ii) certain SEC rules and regulations (collectively, “Portfolio Compliance”) is required daily and is the responsibility of the Fund’s adviser or sub-adviser, as applicable. ALPS will perform Portfolio Compliance testing (post-trade, daily on a T+2 basis) to test the Fund’s Portfolio Compliance (the “Portfolio Compliance Testing”).
The frequency and nature of the Portfolio Compliance Testing and the methodology and process in accordance with which the Portfolio Compliance Testing are conducted are mutually agreed to between ALPS and the Fund. ALPS will report violations, if any, to the Fund and the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer as promptly as practicable following discovery.
ALPS independently tests Portfolio Compliance based upon information contained in the source reports received by ALPS’s fund accounting department and supplemental data from certain third-party sources. As such, Portfolio Compliance Testing performed by ALPS is limited by the information contained in the fund accounting source reports and supplemental data from third-party sources. The Fund agrees and acknowledges that ALPS’s performance of the Portfolio Compliance Testing shall not relieve the Fund or the Fund’s investment adviser of their primary day-to-day responsibility for assuring such Portfolio Compliance, including on a pre-trade basis, and ALPS shall not be held liable for any act or omission of the Fund’s investment adviser with respect to Portfolio Compliance.
| 9. | Representations and Warranties of ALPS. ALPS represents and warrants to the Fund that: |
| (a) | It is duly organized and existing as a corporation and in good standing under the laws of the State of Colorado. |
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| (b) | It is empowered under applicable laws and by its Articles of Incorporation and By-laws to enter into and perform this Agreement. |
| (c) | All requisite corporate proceedings have been taken to authorize it to enter into and perform this Agreement. |
| (d) | It has and will continue to have access to the necessary facilities, equipment and personnel to perform its duties and obligations under this Agreement in accordance with industry standards. |
| 10. | Representations and Warranties of the Fund. The Fund represents and warrants to ALPS that: |
| (a) | It is a statutory trust duly organized and existing and in good standing under the laws of the state of Massachusetts and is registered with the SEC as an open-end diversified management investment company. |
| (b) | It is empowered under applicable laws and by its Declaration of Trust and By-laws to enter into and perform this Agreement. |
| (c) | The Board of Trustees of the Fund has duly authorized it to enter into and perform this Agreement. |
| (d) | Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the Fund agrees not to make any modifications to its registration statement or adopt any policies which would affect materially the obligations or responsibilities of ALPS hereunder without the prior written approval or ALPS, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed. |
| 11. | Documents. The Fund has furnished or will furnish, upon request, ALPS with copies of the Fund’s Declaration of Trust and the Fund’s advisory agreement, custodian agreement, transfer agency agreement, administration agreement, current prospectus, statement of additional information, periodic Fund reports and all forms relating to any plan, program or service offered by the Fund. The Fund shall furnish, within a reasonable time period, to ALPS a copy of any amendment or supplement to any of the above-mentioned documents. Upon request, the Fund shall furnish promptly to ALPS any additional documents necessary or advisable to perform its functions hereunder. As used in this Agreement the terms “registration statement,” “prospectus” and “statement of additional information” shall mean any registration statement, prospectus and statement of additional information filed by the Fund with the SEC and any amendments and supplements thereto that are filed with the SEC. |
| 12. | Consultation Between the Parties. ALPS and the Fund shall regularly consult with each other regarding ALPS’s performance of its obligations under this Agreement. In connection therewith, the Fund shall submit to ALPS at a reasonable time in advance of |
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| filing with the SEC reasonably final copies of any amended or supplemented registration statement (including exhibits) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the 1940 Act; provided, however, that nothing contained in this Agreement shall in any way limit the Fund’s right to file at any time such amendments to any registration statement and/or supplements to any prospectus or statement of additional information, of whatever character, as the Fund may deem advisable, such right being in all respects absolute and unconditional. |
| 13. | Liaison with Accountants. ALPS shall act as a liaison with the Fund’s independent public accountants and shall provide account analysis, fiscal year summaries, and other audit-related schedules with respect to the services provided to the Fund. ALPS shall take all reasonable action in the performance of its duties under this Agreement to assure that the necessary information is made available to such accountants as reasonably requested or required by the Fund. |
| 14. | Business Interruption Plan. ALPS shall maintain in effect a business interruption plan, and enter into any agreements necessary with appropriate parties making reasonable provisions for emergency use of electronic data processing equipment customary in the industry. In the event of equipment failures, ALPS shall, at no additional expense to the Fund, take commercially reasonable steps to minimize service interruptions. |
| 15. | Duration and Termination of this Agreement. |
| (a) | Initial Term. This Agreement shall become effective as of the date first written above (the “Start Date”) and shall continue thereafter throughout the period that ends three (3) years after the Start Date (the “Initial Term”). Until the end of the Initial Term, this Agreement may be terminated without penalty only by agreement of the parties or for cause pursuant to Section 15(c) hereof. |
| (b) | Renewal Term. If not sooner terminated, this Agreement shall renew at the end of the Initial Term and shall thereafter continue for successive annual periods until terminated by either party upon not less than sixty (60) days’ written notice prior to the expiration of the then current renewal term or for cause pursuant to Section 15(c) hereof. |
| (c) | Cause. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary elsewhere in this Agreement, the Fund may terminate this Agreement for cause immediately at any time, without penalty, without default and without the payment of any termination payment or other liquidated damages. For purposes of this Section 15, “cause” shall mean: |
| (i) | willful misfeasance, bad faith, negligence or reckless disregard on the part of ALPS in the performance of its duties, obligations and responsibilities set forth in this Agreement, provided, however, that in the event of a material breach by ALPS hereof such termination shall not take effect |
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| until 20 days after ALPS has been provided with notice thereof and ALPS has not remedied the cause of the breach during such time; |
| (ii) | in the event ALPS is no longer permitted to perform its duties, obligations or responsibilities hereunder pursuant to applicable law, or regulatory, administrative or judicial proceedings against ALPS which result in a determination that ALPS has violated, or has caused the Fund to violate, in any material respect any applicable law, rule, regulation, order or code of ethics, or any material investment restriction, policy or procedure adopted by the Fund of which ALPS had knowledge (it being understood that ALPS is deemed to have knowledge of all investment restrictions, policies or procedures set out in the Fund’s public filings or otherwise provided to ALPS); or |
| (iii) | financial difficulties on the part of ALPS which are evidenced by the authorization or commencement of, or involvement by way of pleading, answer, consent or acquiescence in, a voluntary or involuntary case under Title 11 of the United States Code, as from time to time in effect, or any applicable law other than said Title 11, of any jurisdiction relating to the liquidation or reorganization of debtors or to the modification or alteration of the rights of creditors. |
| (d) | Deliveries Upon Termination. Upon termination of this Agreement, ALPS agrees to cooperate in the orderly transfer of administrative duties and shall deliver to the Fund or as otherwise directed by the Fund (at the expense of the Fund) all records and other documents made or accumulated in the performance of its duties for the Fund hereunder. In the event ALPS gives notice of termination under this Agreement, it will continue to provide the services contemplated hereunder after such termination at the contractual rate for up to 180 days, provided that the Fund uses all reasonable commercial efforts to appoint such replacement on a timely basis. |
| (e) | Fees and Expenses Upon Termination. Should either party exercise its right to terminate, all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses or costs associated with the movement of records and material will be borne by the Fund. Additionally, except in the case of a termination for cause pursuant to Section 15(c) thereof, ALPS reserves the right to charge a reasonable fee for its de-conversion services. |
| 16. | Assignment. This Agreement shall extend to and shall be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns; provided, however, that this Agreement shall not be assignable by the Fund without the prior written consent of ALPS, or by ALPS without the prior written consent of the Fund. |
| 17. | Governing Law. The provisions of this Agreement shall be construed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Colorado and the 1940 Act and the rules |
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| thereunder. To the extent that the laws of the State of Colorado conflict with the 1940 Act or such rules, the latter shall control. |
| 18. | Names. The obligations of the Fund entered into in the name or on behalf thereof by any director, shareholder, representative, or agent thereof are made not individually, but in such capacities, and are not binding upon any of the directors, shareholders, representatives or agents of the Fund personally, but bind only the property of the Fund, and all persons dealing with the Fund must look solely to the property of the Fund for the enforcement of any claims against the Fund. |
| 19. | Amendments to this Agreement. This Agreement may only be amended by the parties in writing. |
| 20. | Notices. All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing, shall be deemed to have been given when received or when sent by telex or facsimile, and shall be given to the following addresses (or such other addresses as to which notice is given): |
To ALPS:
ALPS Fund Services, Inc.
1290 Broadway, Suite 1100
Denver, Colorado 80203
Attn: General Counsel
Fax: (303) 623-7850
To the Fund:
Northeast Investors Growth Fund
100 High Street, Suite 1000
Boston, MA 02110-2301
Attn: Robert Kane
Fax: (617) 523-5412
| 21. | Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed by the parties hereto on any number of counterparts, and all of said counterparts taken together shall be deemed to constitute one and the same instrument. |
| 22. | Entire Agreement. This Agreement embodies the entire agreement and understanding among the parties and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings relating to the subject matter hereof; provided, however, that ALPS may embody in one or more separate documents its agreement, if any, with respect to delegated duties and oral instructions. |
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the day and year first above written.
| NORTHEAST INVESTORS GROWTH FUND | ||||
| By: |
/s/ William A. Oates, Jr. | |||
| Name: |
William A. Oates, Jr. | |||
| Title: |
President | |||
| ALPS FUND SERVICES, INC. | ||||
| By: |
/s/ Jeremy O. May | |||
| Name: |
Jeremy O. May | |||
| Title: |
President | |||
APPENDIX A
LIST OF FUNDS
Northeast Investors Growth Fund
APPENDIX B
SERVICES
| | | FUND ADMINISTRATION |
| u | Prepare annual and semi-annual financial statements |
• Coordinate standard layout and printing
| u | Prepare and file Forms N-SAR, N-CSR, N-Q and 24f-2 |
| u | File Form N-PX |
| u | Host annual audits and SEC exams |
| u | Provide daily investment restriction compliance monitoring support and reporting |
| u | Calculate monthly SEC standardized total return performance figures |
| u | Prepare required reports for quarterly Board meetings |
| u | Monitor expense ratios |
| u | Maintain budget vs. actual expenses |
| u | Manage fund invoice approval and bill payment process |
| u | Maintain and coordinate Blue Sky registration |
| u | Assist with placement of Fidelity Bond and E&O insurance |
| u | Coordinate reporting to outside agencies including Morningstar, etc. |
| LEGAL
| u | Review and update Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information annually |
• Coordinate standard layout and printing of Prospectus
• If the Fund elects to have ALPS prepare a Summary Prospectus, additional fees will be charged
| u | Provide legal review of SEC financial filings |
| u | Coordinate EDGARization and filing of documents |
| u | Prepare, compile and mail Board materials |
| u | Attend Board meetings and prepare minutes |
| u | Review selling agreements with respect to the Fund |
| | | TAX |
| u | Calculate dividend and capital gain distribution rates, including distributions necessary to avoid excise tax* |
| u | Calculate tax disclosure information (ROCSOP) for the audited financial statements |
| u | Prepare and file federal and state income and excise tax returns (and appropriate extensions)* |
| u | Monitor on a quarterly basis each Fund’s status as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended |
| u | Calculate and monitor applicable book-to-tax differences and assist in identifying securities that give rise to book-to-tax differences** |
| u | Calculate year-end tax characterization for distributions paid during the calendar year |
* The Fund’s independent auditors provide review and sign-off on excise distributions and income and excise tax returns. ALPS shall not analyze or investigate information or returns for
foreign tax filings. Should there be a requirement by the independent auditors to analyze foreign capital gain tax, then ALPS will invoice any additional amounts as a result of this request. State income or franchise tax return preparation is limited to the initial state of nexus and does not include additional state filing requirements that may be triggered by underlying investments of the Fund.
** Security classifications to be identified include but are not limited to passive foreign investment company, real estate investment trust, master limited partnership, contingent debt obligations, trust preferred, grantor trust, and stapled security. The ultimate determination of the classification of securities will be the responsibility of Fund management.
| | | FUND CCO ASSURANCE & SUPPORT |
| u | Provide quarterly compliance 38a-1 representations |
| u | Provide online access to ALPS policies and procedures |
| u | Perform regulatory monitoring and updates |
APPENDIX C
COMPENSATION
FEES:
Greater of $97,000 annual minimum or the following basis point fee schedule:
| Annual Net Assets |
Basis Points | |
| Between $0 - $500M |
2.0 | |
| $500M - $1B |
1.0 | |
| Above $1B |
1.0 |
OUT-OF-POCKET EXPENSES:
All out-of-pocket expenses are passed through to the Fund at cost, including but not limited to: third-party security pricing and/or data fees; Bloomberg fees; Gainskeeper fees; PFIC Analyzer; Blue Sky permit processing fees and state registration fees; SSAE 16 control review reports; travel expenses to Board meetings and on-site reviews; filing, printing and mailing fees; NSCC interface fees; postage; wire fees and other bank charges; fulfillment costs; confirmations and investor statements; 22c-2 fees; customized programming/enhancements; and other expenses incurred by ALPS in connection with the performance of its duties under the Agreement.
LATE CHARGES:
All invoices are due and payable upon receipt. Any invoices not paid within thirty (30) days of the invoice date are subject to a one percent (1%) per month financing charge on any unpaid balance but only to the extent permitted by law.
Reference:
Security Exchange Commission - Edgar Database, EX-99.(H)(1) 3 d528316dex99h1.htm FUND ADMINISTRATION AGREEMENT, Viewed August 12, 2022, View Source on SEC.
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At DACC.Law, we deliver high-quality, practical legal solutions specifically for entrepreneurs, real estate investors, and growing businesses. With more than 25 years of experience, our firm handles everything from contract drafting and review to entity formation, deal structuring, and risk mitigation. Clients rely on us for clear guidance on regulatory compliance, navigating complex transactions (including multifamily, landlords, developers), resolving disputes efficiently, and protecting their business interests. We combine deep legal expertise with a hands-on, results-oriented approach so you can move forward with confidence.
Neil B.
Professional Experience Neil Belloff is an accomplished business lawyer with over 35 years of business and legal experience, including as Board Member, General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer, Chief Operating Officer and Corporate Secretary. After law school, Neil joined a boutique law firm in New York City and practiced as a litigator and corporate securities lawyer. Soon thereafter, Neil became a Senior Attorney-Advisor in the Division of Corporation Finance at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington, D.C. responsible for reviewing 1933 Act and 1934 Act documents, coordinating projects with the EPA and DOL, overseeing bankruptcy, reorganization and work-outs, responding to Congressional inquiries, and providing assistance to other SEC divisions and the Department of Justice. Following his tenure with the government, Neil practiced with several NY-based law firms providing legal and business services to public and private enterprises focusing on securities, corporate, employment, IP, licensing, M&A, finance, governance, litigation, compliance and privacy matters. Neil became an in-house attorney in 2003 joining Deutsche Telekom, one of the largest telecommunications companies in the world, as Executive Vice President and US Securities and Corporate Counsel. He joined Celgene Corporation, a publicly listed global biopharmaceutical company, in 2010 and became General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer and Corporate Secretary of Eloxx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. in 2018 (and Chief Operating Officer in 2020) and General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer and Corporate Secretary of Acorda Therapeutics, Inc. in 2021. Neil went back to private practice in 2024. Neil has been lead counsel on dozens of IPOs (representing both issuers and underwriters) and multi-billion dollar M&A transactions. His practice includes licensing, structured finance, venture capital, risk assessment, corporate governance, legal and regulatory compliance, pharmaceutical development, and all aspects of corporate, securities, intellectual property, privacy and employment law. Education • J.D. - Quinnipiac University School of Law • LL.M. - Program in Securities Regulation at Georgetown University Law Center • M.A. - New York University • B.A. - Queens College of the City University of New York Admissions • New York, New Jersey, Connecticut • Southern District of New York • Eastern District of New York • District of Connecticut Publications • Frequent conference speaker (FEI, NACD, NIRI, ACC, PLI, MarcusEvans) • Co-authored chapter of NACD report on the Role of Directors in Strategic Planning, member of Blue Ribbon Commission of NACD • Authored various articles on securities, litigation and governance topics • Featured in Vanguard Law Magazine - https://www.vanguardlawmag.com/case-studies/neil-belloff-acorda-therapeutics/ Board Memberships • Former Board Member | Private computer network and software development company sold to NASDAQ listed company • Former Board Member | NASDAQ listed location-based entertainment company
"Responsive & professional turnaround. Would work with Neil again in the future!"
Frank G.
Accomplished business and litigation counsel with experience managing a broad spectrum of legal matters on behalf of individuals as well as early-stage and established technology, software, service and medical device companies. Substantial experience in drafting commercial agreements as well as litigation and arbitration of complex business disputes as plaintiff’s and defendant’s counsel. Served as infantry officer (attaining rank of Major) in ground combat units for the United States Marine Corps and educated in Marine Corps management and tactics. Adept at taking complicated information and legal principles and presenting strategy to non-lawyers in a concise and easy-to-understand format.
"Working with Frank is like going on a road trip with your best friend. You have more fun during the road trip than at your final destination. Frank told me a deadline and stayed with it, always being responsive to messages, with thick detail to reinforce his reasoning. When talking over the phone, Frank goes into great detail and paints the real picture of what to expect, in his experience, dealing with the court and judges. I would work with Frank again for future work."
August 27, 2025
Walid T.
Walid J. Tamari, founder and named member of Tamari Law Group, LLC, is widely recognized as one of the nation's top litigators. In 2018, Mr. Tamari was one of only 25 attorneys in the United States to be recognized by the prestigious National Law Journal as a Trailblazer Lawyer. The publication features lawyers who have “shown a deep passion and perseverance of their mission, having achieved remarkable successes along the way.” In addition, America's Top 100 Attorneys® and the National Trial Lawyers have included Mr. Tamari in their top 100 Illinois attorneys lists and the Business Tort Trial Lawyers Association has also selected Mr. Tamari in its “Illinois Top 10” list. Further, for several years, Benchmark Litigation: The Definitive Guide to America's Leading Litigation Firms has chosen Tamari Law Group as one of approximately 25 ranked litigation firms in Illinois. Mr. Tamari is also the past national chair of the Commercial Law League of America's complex commercial litigation committee, a committee comprised of attorneys throughout the nation who practice complex litigation. A distinguished litigator, Mr. Tamari represents clients in high-stakes and high profile civil litigation. He provides clients with result-oriented legal advice and representation in a wide-range of disputes, including claims relating to breach of contract, negligence, business tort and pharmaceutical liability litigation. Mr. Tamari has appeared on CBS News, NBC News, WGN News and Fox News and has been quoted in, among other publications, Forbes, Crain's Chicago Business, Chicago Tribune and the Chicago Sun-Times. Mr. Tamari also teaches entrepreneurship law at Loyola University of Chicago's Graduate School of Business. Committed to giving back to the community, Mr. Tamari has established scholarships at the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools and Loyola University of Chicago's Graduate School of Business. He has served on national advisory boards at Loyola University of Chicago, the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools and Northwestern Medical Faculty Foundation's Neurosurgery Council.
September 8, 2025
Scott M.
Real Estate, Finance, and Business Attorney in the Dallas area, specializing in multifamily, hotel, public improvement districts, business law, and all types of real estate matters. I can also assist with uncontested divorces.
September 15, 2025
Paula C.
DACC Law is a general practice client-centered law firm. I am a Partner in DACC and have been proudly serving clients across Massachusetts since 1997. With over 25 years of legal experience I have a built a reputation for trust, results-driven advocacy across a wide range of practice areas including contract law, personal injury, estate planning, workplace issues, and real estate. At the heart of my practice is a client-centered approach -- one that values clear communication, responsive service, and practical legal solutions tailored to each individual's needs. Whether helping a family protect their future through thoughtful estate planning, representing someone injured due to negligence, or guiding clients through complex workplace or property matters, I bring deep legal knowledge and personal attention to every case. If you're looking for a seasoned Massachusetts attorney who combines experience with empathy, and strategic insight with strong advocacy, I am here to help.
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Contracts Counsel was incredibly helpful and easy to use. I submitted a project for a lawyer's help within a day I had received over 6 proposals from qualified lawyers. I submitted a bid that works best for my business and we went forward with the project.
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I never knew how difficult it was to obtain representation or a lawyer, and ContractsCounsel was EXACTLY the type of service I was hoping for when I was in a pinch. Working with their service was efficient, effective and made me feel in control. Thank you so much and should I ever need attorney services down the road, I'll certainly be a repeat customer.
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I got 5 bids within 24h of posting my project. I choose the person who provided the most detailed and relevant intro letter, highlighting their experience relevant to my project. I am very satisfied with the outcome and quality of the two agreements that were produced, they actually far exceed my expectations.
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