Socially Responsible Investing

Many people are curious about socially responsible investing. What is it exactly? Wikipedia describes it as "an investment strategy which seeks to maximize both financial return and social good." It is also known as sustainable investing, socially-conscious or ethical investing. Socially responsible investors screen for companies that support the environment, workplace and human rights, community relations, product safety, governance, business ethics, conflict free materials sources, and concerns of indigenous peoples. Most also screen for companies that do not promote tobacco, alchohol, pornography and weapons. There are three broad categories of socially responsible funds: secular, faith based and green based.

Ways To Invest In Socially Responsible Investments

1. Individual Stocks
2. Mutual Funds and Exchange Traded Funds (ETF's)
3. Community Investing
4. Separatly Managed Accounts

Curtis Financial Planning is prepared to help you build a portfolio of socially responsible mutual funds and ETF's that best reflect your values and yield the return you seek.

Socially Responsible Fund Families

Calvert
Ariel
Parnaasus
Neuberger Berman
Pax World
Winslow Green
Appleseed

Resources

Morningstar Article: Navigating the SRI Patchwork
Book: The Triple Bottom Line: How Today's Best-Run Companies are Achieving Economic, Social and Environmental Success--and How You Can Too. By Andrew W. Savitz.