Socially Responsible Investing
We hear a lot these days about being socially responsible. Why is it important for the Foundation to invest in a socially responsible way?
The United Methodist Church has a long history of social involvement. John Wesley, Methodism’s founder proclaimed, “the gospel of Christ knows no religion, but social; no holiness but social holiness.” Wesley believed and expected that “the people called Methodists” would be actively involved in their communities – feeding the hungry, tending the sick, visiting prisons and helping the poor.
The Book of Discipline clearly instructs all investing entities of the Church to “make a conscious effort to invest in institutions, companies, corporations, or funds where practices are consistent with the goals outlined in the Social Principles” and to “endeavor to avoid investments that appear likely, directly or indirectly, to support racial discrimination, violation of human rights, sweatshop or forced labor, gambling, or the production of nuclear armaments, alcoholic beverages or tobacco, or companies dealing in pornography.”
Our Investment Ethics further clarifies the United Methodist position: “every financial investment has ethical dimensions with consequences that are both fiscal and social.” Within our church tradition, socially responsible investing is an acknowledgement that how we make, spend and invest our money has serious implications not only to ourselves, but to our communities and the world we live in. We recognize that we are stewards of all we possess and that it is within our hands to make the financial decisions that lead to a better, more equitable and more hopeful world for all.