Investing isn't just about financial returns—it's also about creating social returns and using your capital to support the changes you want to see in the world. Whether it’s managing your cash, private investments, or supporting innovative startups, there are countless ways to align your portfolio with your values across every asset class, regardless of its size.

Below are real-life examples from the advisors on the ValuesAdvisor platform that demonstrate how you can make a difference with your investments.

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"Learn What is Possible in Each Asset Class"
featuring advisors from the ValuesAdvisor Platform.
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Cash: More Than Just Money Sitting in the Bank
Many people think cash is simply money parked in a savings account. In reality, your cash can be a tool for change.

• Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs): Many value-oriented Advisors place cash in CDFIs, earning a 2-4% return. Deposits in CDFIs support loans for small businesses, affordable housing, and community projects. Imagine helping fund a series of loans to small-scale entrepreneurs in underserved neighborhoods, directly contributing to job creation and local economic growth.
• Community Loan Funds: Cash, which is typically seen as a safe but passive asset, can become a tool for fostering economic justice. Community loan funds help provide non-extractive loans to marginalized communities. 

Public Equities: Owning a Piece of Change
When you invest in public equities—stocks—you become a part-owner in companies. With the right selections coupled with active ownership, public equities drive meaningful change, in addition to financial returns.

• Sustainable Energy Investments: One investor, passionate about climate solutions, asked their Advisor to fully divest from fossil fuels and focus on regenerative investments like sustainable agriculture and new energy solutions. The advisor built a balanced portfolio, mitigating risk, and delivering returns. They choose companies that develop solar technology and green infrastructure like public transit, smart grids, and water infrastructure to support the global shift toward cleaner energy sources.
• Shareholder Advocacy: Given the large social and environmental footprints of publicly traded corporations, engagement with companies to help them improve can be especially impactful. One advisor recommended an investment in a global logistics company and encouraged the company to accelerate the adoption of renewable energy by filing a shareholder proposal asking for measurable targets. The company agreed and now executive compensation is linked to sustainability-focused metrics.
• Diversity and Inclusion: Another client took a different approach by investing in companies that prioritize diverse leadership and promote equity within their workforces.These investments supported businesses that lead in diversity and inclusion, ensuring the client’s capital aligned with her social justice values.

Fixed income investments, like bonds, are often seen as a lower risk, a safer slice of an investment portfolio. But you can loan money to projects that align with your values while generating reliable returns.

• Green Bonds: One investor wanted their bond portfolio to contribute to environmental sustainability. They directed these dollars to green bonds, which specifically fund construction of renewable energy projects and infrastructure improvements while providing steady, fixed returns.
• Social Impact Bonds: Some investors are tackling social challenges through bonds that fund programs addressing issues like recidivism and homelessness. In these cases, the success of the programs determined the investor’s returns, allowing for both impact and financial gain.
• Municipal Bonds: one investor used their fixed income portfolio to support sustainable agriculture and public infrastructure projects that provided clean water systems and energy-efficient public facilities, helping to improve both the environment and local communities.
• Community-controlled loan funds:  Some institutions have developed the infrastructure needed to support local community-controlled loan funds throughout the US, modeling democratic decision making and shared power.

Private Investments: Fueling Innovation and Community Growth
Private investments offer opportunities to support innovative projects and startups that aren't available in the public market. These investments can have a high impact, both financially and socially, with many firms pooling client capital to meet investment minimums.

• Sustainable Agriculture: One investor chose to invest in a private equity fund focused on sustainable agriculture. Her capital supported the development of vertical farming, a cutting-edge method of growing crops that uses less water and produces healthier food. This investment not only provided high returns but also contributed to a more sustainable food system.
• Women in Tech: In another instance, an investor supported a gaming startup that focused on promoting gender equality by creating games with positive female role models. This private investment not only helped grow the company but also contributed to the empowerment of women in an industry traditionally dominated by men.
• Local Economic Revitalization: Another investor put money into a cooperative brewery, helping to revitalize a local economy. Her investment supported a worker-owned business that provided jobs and community pride. This investment created a tangible impact by directly benefiting her community while generating financial returns.
• Supporting Diversity in Leadership: Putting venture capital into the hands of diverse fund managers and underrepresented entrepreneurs who have historically been underfunded drives innovation and closes the equity gaps in the venture capital space.
  

Take Action Today

Ready to use your investments to create meaningful change? Here's how to get started:

1. Explore: Login using your affinity group code to the ValuesAdvisor platform, or sign up for a new account, to find advisors who meet your needs or specialize in your areas of interest. Our platform makes it easy to filter and find professionals who align with your specific values and goals. Don't know your password? Email us at info@valuesadvisor.com
2. Connect: Reach out to a few advisors for initial consultations. This is your chance to ask questions, understand their approach, and see if they're a good fit for your needs. Consult our helpful “interview guide” found on our resources page. 
3. Learn: Sign up to be notified about our upcoming webinar serie entitled “Learn What Is Possible.” These sessions will introduce you to a handful of ValuesAdvisor Financial Advisors as they dive deeper into how each asset class can be used to create impact. 

Remember, every investment you make is a vote for the kind of world you want to see. With the right guidance by a financial advisor, you can create a portfolio that not only secures your financial future but also contributes to positive change in the world.