Faith-Based Investing

Christian funds often exclude alcohol, tobacco, gambling, and abortion-related companies Shariah-compliant investing prohibits interest-bearing debt and excludes certain industries Jewish values investing may emphasize fair labor, environmental care, and community impact Faith-based funds have grown significantly, with dozens of options across asset classes

Shareholder Advocacy and Proxy Voting

As a shareholder, you can vote on corporate policies like environmental practices and pay Filing shareholder resolutions puts specific issues on the ballot at annual meetings Engagement means talking directly with company leaders to push for better policies Sustained shareholder engagement has driven real changes in climate disclosure and diversity

Community Investing and CDFIs

CDFIs channel capital to underserved communities for housing, small businesses, and more CDFI notes typically pay modest fixed returns while creating measurable local impact You can use CDFI notes as a bond alternative, often with comparable credit quality Some community investments are available through brokerages; others require direct purchase

Defining Your Personal Investment Policy

List the issues that matter most — environment, human rights, faith, community, etc. Rank your values and decide which are hard exclusions vs. flexible preferences Document your criteria in a written policy so your advisor can apply them consistently Revisit your values annually — priorities may shift as your life and understanding evolve

Measuring Impact and Understanding Tradeoffs

Define concrete metrics like carbon intensity, board diversity, or community dollars directed Use third-party tools that map your holdings to UN Sustainable Development Goals Excluding industries narrows options and may cause returns to differ from broad indexes Fewer options in bonds and alternatives can limit diversification in a values-aligned portfolio

Building a Values-Aligned Portfolio

Stocks offer the widest range of screened options, from ESG index funds to custom accounts Bond options include green bonds, social bonds, CDFI notes, and screened bond funds Alternatives like impact-focused private equity and sustainable real estate deepen alignment Cash can be held at mission-aligned banks that reinvest deposits in community development

Values-Based & Mission-Aligned Investing

Rubric Advisors

Curated by: Rubric Advisors

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Values-Based vs. ESG Investing

ESG investing focuses on financial risk — values-based investing starts with your beliefs
Values-based investors pick what matters most, then build a portfolio around those priorities
The two can overlap, but values-based investing is driven by mission, not risk-adjusted returns
Your portfolio becomes an extension of your identity, supporting aligned businesses

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Values-Based vs. ESG Investing

Faith-Based Investing

Shareholder Advocacy and Proxy Voting

Community Investing and CDFIs

Defining Your Personal Investment Policy

Measuring Impact and Understanding Tradeoffs

Building a Values-Aligned Portfolio

Related Topics

Impact Investing

Shareholder Activism & Proxy Voting

Accredited Investor Overview

Values-Based vs. ESG Investing

Faith-Based Investing

Shareholder Advocacy and Proxy Voting

Community Investing and CDFIs

Defining Your Personal Investment Policy

Measuring Impact and Understanding Tradeoffs

Building a Values-Aligned Portfolio

Related Topics

Impact Investing

Shareholder Activism & Proxy Voting

Accredited Investor Overview