concerned investor’s list. Since then, the climate crisis has
awakened investors to opportunities for directing investment
capital in other transformative ways.”
Peter Mangold, a Smith Barney financial advisor in Boul-
der, Colorado, appreciates being able to introduce clients
to the idea of investing in companies that are attempting to
minimize environmental damage or that are developing tech-
niques to improve energy efficiency, recycle industrial wastes
and combat global climate change. “Some of my clients like
the idea of investing and helping to protect the environment
at the same time,” says Mangold.
Schueth points out that many socially conscious inves-
tors feel a sense of responsibility for the impact their money
has in the world. He explains, “They believe that they can
make money and also make a meaningful difference by con-
sciously directing investment capital toward enterprises that
contribute to a clean and healthy environment, treat people
fairly, embrace equal opportunity, produce safe and useful
products and support efforts to promote world peace.”
Three complementary strategies have proven effective:
screening portfolio holdings to avoid corporations with poor
records on social and environmental issues; shareholder
advocacy efforts to positively influence corporate behavior;
and community investing that directs capital to people in
low income communities, who have difficulty accessing
funding through conventional channels. Socially responsible
investors can choose their preferred approach and level of
involvement.
Elle Gulsoy, a resident of Fairfax, Virginia, is an econo-
mist and socially responsible investor through EquityBuild,
Inc., a real estate investment advisory organization that
collaborates with small local banks with deep roots in their
communities.
Says Gulsoy, “I’m a mother who is feeling very good
about the double bottom outcome of my investments. Ulti-
mately, my ventures translate into beautiful, affordable rental
homes, available to low-income single mothers, via govern-
ment subsidies. It makes me feel good to know that mothers
like me, who are struggling to work and raise their children,
are having a better life because of my investments.”
Peter Krull, founder of Krull & Company notes, “SRI is
strong because people are working together. Whether you
have one thousand or one million dollars invested, you are
effecting change.”
Dan Smith, editor of Valley Business FRONT in Roa-
noke, Virginia, is one of Krull’s clients. As Smith remarks, “I
like knowing that my money is not being used to support
government troops in Darfur, heedless drilling, flavored ciga-
rettes for kids or Nikes built by 10-year old children. Some
peace comes in knowing that my investments are supporting
what will be of value to humankind and, perhaps, to me.”
For information on SIF, visit
SocialInvest.org or call
202-872-5361. For information on First Affirmative Financial
Network, visit
FirstAffirmative.com. For information on Krull
& Company, visit
KrullAndCompany.com. For information on
EquityBuild, visit
EquityBuild.com.
November 2008 27
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