Values-Aligned Investing
Deploying capital into companies that bless all people and all places
You likely hold to certain values with enough conviction that you would not intentionally compromise them to make a profit. Do you know what they are, and are you certain that your current investments, or those which you manage for others, do not include companies that violate those convictions?
If you aren’t sure, then you’re not alone. Less than 1% of Christian stewards have aligned their assets with their values. OneAscent is helping to change that, one intentional investment at a time.*
If you aren’t sure, then you’re not alone. Less than 1% of Christian stewards have aligned their assets with their values. OneAscent is helping to change that, one intentional investment at a time.*
*Sources: Cerulli; Gallup – between 20-25% of US adults identify as Christians and have attended church within the past week; Kingdom Advisors; Brightlight
What do your current investments support?
When you invest, you become a partial owner, and every business that receives your resources
directs them toward an end. Whether we see it or not, that end, and the means that organization
takes to achieve them, creates an impact on people and places.
Many well-intentioned stewards unknowingly invest in, and consequently support, businesses
that directly or indirectly act against what they value and believe. Our unique approach solves
this problem.
The S&P 500 Index
Each square represents one of the five hundred largest companies in America. The red squares represent the companies whose products or services do not bless mankind, but instead cause harm.
There are 30 companies in the S&P 500 Index involved in abortion, pornography, tobacco, or gambling, which are frequently cited by our stewards as industries they would not intentionally support.
Do your current investments align with your values?
Good investments can lead to financial gain without ethical compromise
Businesses have a profound impact on the world. Investors should consider not only the possible return, but also who a business impacts and how they are affected. Simply put, we believe good investments deploy capital into good businesses. At OneAscent, our research and screening process have shown that worthy businesses have four qualities.
Filling a Need
The first requirement for a good investment is that the company should be filling a need in society or in the marketplace.
Sustainable Profit
Filling a need creates demand for the company's product and services and ultimately allows the company an opportunity to achieve a sustainable profit.
Positive Return
Investors, of course, are looking for positive return. You want to get your money back and then some.
Bless Mankind
The final requirement: when the company is able to identify and meet a need, it should bless mankind.
With these criteria as the framework for our investment strategy, we empower stewards to invest in alignment with a biblical worldview and any additional convictions that are important to them.
“At OneAscent, we get personalized, knowledgeable, accessible support in making our investment decisions. The investment choices that our advisor suggests align with our Christian values and beliefs. We know we’ll receive good help in choosing the type and timing of investments that best fit our assets, risk tolerance, etc.”
Johnny & Karen H.
OneAscent Wealth Management, LLC (“OAWM”) is a registered investment advisor with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. The content presented is an unpaid testimonial given by a current client. OAWM does not make any representations or warranties as to the accuracy, timeliness, suitability, completeness, or relevance of any information prepared by OAWM or any unaffiliated third party. Past performance may not be representative of future results. All investments are subject to loss.
Our unique approach to Values-Based Investing
Within the financial services industry, you may hear related terms like Values-Based Investing (VBI); ethical investing; socially responsible investing (SRI); or environmental, social, and governance (ESG) investing.
We offer our unique approach to Values-Based Investing, which we call Values-Aligned Investing, within the context of a larger Values-Aligned Journey. We believe your investments have the most positive impact when they are one part of a holistic strategy to align your mindset, relationships, family, financial planning, investing, and giving for true flourishing.
We are excited to work with our clients and advisors to not only steward intentional investments, but also offer additional, values-aligned services. This holistic approach creates a multigenerational, impactful, and consistent legacy.
How we facilitate Values-Aligned Investing
On their own, it would be nearly impossible for an individual, family, institution, or advisor to research each and every business with promising investment options. That’s why we offer individualized insights and recommendations to every advisor and investor.
- Through our careful research process, both in the way we get to know our clients and in the way we select investments, we help to clarify the fuller impact.
- We assess how a company interacts with every single person and every square inch, and we seek to elevate companies that demonstrably and consistently promote flourishing.
- The result is a blessing for all—our clients receive personal counsel, make progress toward their goals, and support businesses that treat people and communities with dignity.
How we facilitate Values-Aligned Investing
On their own, it would be nearly impossible for an individual, family, institution, or advisor to research each and every business with promising investment options. That’s why we offer individualized insights and recommendations to every advisor and investor.
- Through our careful research process, both in the way we get to know our clients and in the way we select investments, we help to clarify the fuller impact.
- We assess how a company interacts with every single person and every square inch, and we seek to elevate companies that demonstrably and consistently promote flourishing.
- The result is a blessing for all—our clients receive personal counsel, make progress toward their goals, and support businesses that treat people and communities with dignity.
Eliminate
companies whose products or practices cause harm.
Evaluate
companies to identify those that meet our investment objectives.
Elevate
companies that make the world a better place.
- Step One
Eliminate
To align your portfolio with your values, we help you to eliminate businesses whose products or practices cause harm. In collaboration with stewards like you, here are those industries or circumstances in which we do not invest.
Adult Entertainment and
Pornography
The production or distribution of material related to pornography or similar forms of adult-only consumption
Cannabis
The production or distribution
of marijuana or marijuana-based products
Predatory Lending
Lending to vulnerable individuals or communities at unreasonable rates
Human Rights Violations
Activities including but not limited to the use of child labor, unfair employment practices, or similar oppressive acts
Severe Ethics Controversies
Companies which are embroiled in some form of ethical breach, which may be to their customers, regulators, or society at large
Abortion
Companies that produce, promote, or sell abortifacients, or perform abortion procedures
Alcohol
The production, distribution, or supply chain of alcohol for consumption
Gambling
The production of, distribution of, supply chain of, or participation in games of chance
Tobacco
The production of, distribution of, or supply chain of tobacco-based products
- Step Two
Evaluate
Through industry-leading research, data, and investment firms, we evaluate companies for
additional technical, economic, and ethical factors. We then offer well-founded and personalized recommendations for every steward’s needs, preferences, and objectives.
If you want to know more about the businesses you’re currently investing in, or recommending to your clients, we can run a report that shows which align with your values and which are in conflict.
If you want to know more about the businesses you’re currently investing in, or recommending to your clients, we can run a report that shows which align with your values and which are in conflict.
- Step Three
Elevate
In place of harmful businesses, we make recommendations to elevate businesses that make the world a better place. We elevate businesses that contribute positively to outcomes like these:
Flourishing Families
Healthy dynamics and support for households and/or family units
Sanctity of Life
Life-saving strategies for all and the affirmative avoidance of methods by which life is ended prematurely
Quality Healthcare
Health and longevity for stakeholders, particularly when combating disease or other medically-suboptimal conditions
Educational Access
Opportunities for formal or informal learning advancement, particularly through innovative technology or for underserved populations
Dignifying Vocations
Well-compensating, humanizing jobs with opportunities for advancement and growth
Economic Investment
Monetary and societal success for communities, regions, and/or nations
Environmental Stewardship
Prioritization of natural resources, including but not limited to limiting air pollution, conserving lands, and/or minimizing waste
Viewpoint Diversity
Vibrant and civil discussion, exchange, dialogue, and/or respect surrounding differing opinions and perspectives, particularly among employees
Thriving Communities
Safe conditions and/or technological / economic innovation that serves, rather than exploits, local communities' needs
Fair Labor
Voluntary, consensual, age-appropriate, equitably-paid working conditions for all, particularly in supply chains
Equal Opportunities
A level playing field for stakeholders seeking to advance the social or economic position, particularly for those traditionally underserved or underrepresented
Affordable Housing
Quality, long-term shelter solutions for low, very low, or extremely low-income households
Invest for impact
“We believe that every single person and
every square inch has incomparable,
immeasurable, and irrevocable dignity. When
we invest, we choose companies that bless
all people and all places.”
Harry Pearson, Founding Principal and CEO