Socially Responsible Investing for an Impact

Impact investing differs from SRI in the way investments are selected.  SRI tends to employ a “do no harm” approach by choosing to not invest in certain companies, such as those involved with alcohol, tobacco, or weapons.  Impact investing takes a more active approach and seeks businesses that have the potential to directly create a positive societal impact.

The primary goal of impact investing can be categorized into two buckets: “impact first” and “financial first”.  Impact first investors tend to focus on solving a specific social, environmental, or economic problem while accepting a lower level of financial return to achieve their primary goal. Financial first investors on the other hand are typically seeking competitive financial returns while making as much impact as possible on a particular problem. The latter type of investors hold the view that by generating returns that are competitive to those of traditional investments, more capital will be attracted to this strategy; thus, creating even greater positive impact over the long run. 

Impact Investing Opportunities

Impact investments can be found in a broad range of market sectors, such as education, renewable energy, community development, health and wellness, microfinance, natural resources, and sustainable agriculture.  Likewise, it touches all asset classes including fixed income, private and public equity as well as real assets.  Existing companies that currently qualify as impact investments include Patagonia, Ben & Jerry’s, Plum Organics, California FreshWorks, Solar City, and Beartooth Capital.

While impact investing is still fairly new (2008), opportunities are becoming available through mutual funds.  Investment managers such as Blackrock, Calvert Investments, and AdvisorShares have various offerings.

New Corporate Registration in Indiana

As a direct response to this new era of impact investing, effective January 2016, Indiana began allowing corporations to register with the Indiana Secretary of State as a benefit corporation.  While traditional corporate law requires a board of directors to put the financial benefit of the shareholders as the top priority in all decision making, a benefit corporation can take into consideration the impact of a decision on other stakeholders such as their employees, the community, and the environment.  The owners, officers, or board of directors of a benefit corporation are not bound to maximizing the profit of the business, but rather can balance profit with the business’s positive impact.  Indiana joins more than thirty other states in passing such legislation. 

Summary

Impact investing is becoming very popular, especially with millennials.  To learn more about this topic, visit CaseFoundation.org.  There you will find A Short Guide to Impact Investing.  However, as with any investment, be certain to carefully review and fully understand the company or mutual fund before investing.