National Programs

RI Approaches

Responsible investing typically involves:

ESG integration – considering environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors in investment policies and decisions
Screening of industries or companies a foundation specifically wants to support, or screening out industries and companies – tobacco, for example – that are contrary to the mission of a foundation
Shareholder engagement – using the position as a shareholder to engage companies on issues that are important to a foundation
Proxy voting – actively voting proxies or working with fund managers to ensure that a foundation’s proxies are voted in a way that is consistent with their mission
Mission or Community investing – using some of a foundation's assets to invest directly in the local community through things like mortgages for low-income housing, community loan funds and green infrastructure.

Read about the early steps being taken by large and small community foundations across Canada in our stories section.

Or browse through our resources section to learn more about responsible investment.

Betsy Martin
Senior Advisor and Program Consultant
betsy.martin@sympatico.ca
514-488-3682