INVESTING WORKING FOR ALL

• Traditionally investment focuses on making the most profit. 

• There are growing movements in investing that balance profit with social and environmental impact.

• This is known as “impact investing” - and is also referred to as socially responsible investing, or investing that incorporates ESG (environmental, social and governance) criteria.

To support these movements – LEARN and ACT:

ASSESS YOUR VALUES, AND APPLY THEM TO YOUR INVESTMENTS

Use these tools to research the funds you are invested in, and to find funds that match your values. OR ask whoever is managing your investments about impact funds, and point them to these resources: 

• As You Sow – Invest Your Values

• US SIF (The Forum for Sustainable and Responsible Investment) - Sustainable Investment Mutual Funds and Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) Chart.

• Natural Investments LLC - Natural Investments Heart Rating

Become a shareholder activist:  see Shareholder Activism from Green America

INVEST IN COMMUNITY LOAN FUNDS –

See Investments for Maine and Beyond

ASK INSTITUTIONS TO MOVE TO SUSTAINABLE INVESTMENTS

Ask institutions you are part of – faith communities, private, non profit or public workplaces, schools – to move their investments into sustainable investments, or to offer and promote sustainable investment options.

• See Add Socially Responsible Investing to Your Workplace Retirement Plan  from Green America

• Maine state employees and residents:  pressure the Maine Public Employees Retirement Systems (ME PERS) to implement the state law that requires divesting from fossil fuels.  Learn more and sign the petition HERE

LEARN MORE:

• US Sustainable Investment Forum:  Sustainable Investment Basics

• The U.S. Impact Investing Alliance

• The Global Impact Investing Network

• Green America - Finance

  • Socially Responsible Investing

  • Stakeholder Activism

  • Guide to Socially Responsible Investing and Better Banking, 2024

TO FIND A FINANCIAL ADVISOR FAMILIAR WITH IMPACT INVESTING:

• Chartered SRI Counselor (CSRIC) – certified by Kaplan College of Financial Planning – search by state

• Members of the US Sustainable Investment Forum – search for financial planners by location

• Members of the Green America Green Business Network – search for financial advisors

GROUPS THAT HELP ORGANIZATIONS WITH IMPACT INVESTING AND SHAREHOLDER ACTIVISM:

• Faith Invest

• Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility