Screening

Socially Responsible Investing or SRI developed because investors wanted to avoid harmful industries such as alcohol, tobacco and the military industrial complex.

Today, investors want more. Doing no harm is not enough. They want their money to make a difference and bring about change.

The SRI industry has evolved over the years and is adapting to this investor demand. Shifting from Socially Responsible Investing to Sustainable and Responsible Investing, SRI now goes beyond simple avoidance. Investment selection includes a thorough examination of a company’s environmental, social, and governance records, commonly referred to as ESG criteria.

Advocacy

No company is perfect.  Through shareholder advocacy the investor, especially the institutional investor, can pressure company management and influence corporate behavior. This is typically initiated via a dialogue. When talking to the company fails to bring about the desired change, the next step is typically to file or co-file a shareholder resolution which is then voted on by all investors or shareholders.

Common topics include executive compensation, divestiture from Sudan, environmental impact and climate change as well as employee benefits and labor practices.

Community Investing

Many low or lower-income individuals find it difficult to access services from traditional financial institutions which either see them as too high a risk or too low a return on investment.

Your community investment can help provide capital to individuals who are underserved by traditional financial institutions. You can participate in community investing by simply banking at a community development bank or credit union or by investing with a community investment loan fund or microfinance organization.