A collaborative approach to Planning Your Future
Investing through the circle of lifeAligning beliefs and values with financial objectives and investments is a long-standing mission of faith-based institutions and individuals. We can help navigate the complexity of different approaches and determine how faith-based investing can help ensure your organization’s mission is in line with your financial goals and objectives.
We take into consideration the values, missions and stewardships that are important to your organization to shape your investment philosophy and plan. We enable stewards to prudently balance investing responsibly with fiduciary best practices as we seek to maximize return for risk taken.
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As leaders of the impact investing movement throughout history, faith-based investors helped establish guidelines in the 19th century that avoided investments in companies promoting or manufacturing alcohol, tobacco, gambling and weapons, as well as supporting those that promote equality and inclusivity.
Fast forward to today, and the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility (ICCR), constructed of more than 300 religious organizations, is a coalition of faith and values-driven organizations – from institutions, colleges and universities to pension funds and asset management companies – that view investment management as a catalyst for change in the social realm. These organizations represent more than $100 billion in invested capital.
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What investments are considered faith-based can vary by the mission and teachings of the faith the individual or institution follows. In the Catholic faith, investment guidelines were established in 2003 and delineate specific areas to be considered as part of the investment selection process. However, they leave room for interpretation depending on the preferences of each organization and individual while maintaining fiscally sound, responsible and accountable investing that addresses broader moral concerns and supports efforts to help the church respond to local and regional needs.
We work with the following Catholic organizations:
- Dioceses
- Religious institutes
- Foundations
- Endowments
- Educational institutions
- Health care organizations
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Positive screens can include investments in companies that derive revenues from or promote:
- Access to affordable housing
- High labor standards
- High environmental standards
- High corporate social responsibility
Negative screens can include restricting investment in companies that derive significant revenue from:
- Life ethics
- Adult entertainment
- Weapons and tobacco
- Predatory lending
- Human rights deficiencies
- Race or gender discrimination
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We work closely with individuals, such as priests and parishioners, who prefer a faith-based approach similar to how we work with faith-based institutions. Typically, we can accommodate this investment approach with assets of $100,000 and more.
Investing involves risk and you may incur a profit or loss regardless of the strategy selected. There are additional risks associated with Sustainable/Socially Responsible Investing (SRI), including limited diversification and the potential for increased volatility. There is no guarantee that SRI products or strategies will produce returns similar to traditional investments. Because SRI criteria exclude certain securities/products for non-financial reasons, investors may forego some market opportunities available to those who do not use these criteria. Investors should consult their investment professional prior to making an investment decision.
Raymond James is not affiliated and does not endorse the opinions or services of any organizations mentioned.
