This mutual fund company is helping to create a more sustainable future
[Evaluating whether a company is committed to environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) or simply chooses to invest sustainably has become increasingly popular and more rigorous, especially in the past two years. More and more investors are investing their own money, but doing their own research can be challenging.
At Domini, ESG priorities are not new. The company, a women-led mutual fund company that specializes in impact investing, has two primary goals: ecological sustainability and universal human dignity. As part of its criteria, the company does not invest in companies whose operations are deemed harmful. The company's funds have exclusions such as fossil fuel-free, nuclear weapons-free, and firearms-free. [The firm's investment and research professionals look for data on companies that are working to reduce their impact on climate change through energy efficiency, renewable energy, recycling, and circular economy initiatives. By identifying social and environmental leaders around the world, Domini invests in companies that provide long-term value for people, planet, and profits. [Amy Domini, founder, CEO, and chairman of Domini Impact Investments, and author and world-renowned expert on socially responsible investing, explains, "I wanted to find a company that would be a leader in the field of socially responsible investing. Early in her career she wondered: can buying stocks do any good?" she has proven time and time again that the answer is "yes."
More than 30 years ago, Amy Domini founded the Domini 400 Social Index. It is an investment tool that identifies companies that are more socially responsible in the stock market. Amy Domini has long believed that corporations are the dominant social force on the planet. She focused on ESG long before it became commonplace and has earned many honors for doing so. Barron's magazine named her one of the "20 Most Influential People in ESG Investing" and Time magazine named her one of the "100 Most Influential People in the World."
As detailed in the Domini 2021 Impact Report, over the past year, Domini has communicated with more than 300 companies to help drive positive change on a wide range of environmental and social topics, from boardroom diversity to supply chain transparency and use of sweatshop She has been a member of the board of directors of more than 300 companies in the past year. As part of his advocacy work, he has supported dozens of investor and NGO statements on environmental and social issues, and has voted as a shareholder representative at global meetings of more than 800 companies. Domini's assets grew to $3 billion in 2021, and its founding fund, the Domini Impact Equity Fund, celebrated its 30th anniversary.
Impact doesn't stop there. The firm helps investors align their money with their core values." Amy Domini explains, "Who wouldn't want to participate in helping to make finance part of the solution to today's social and environmental problems? Amy Domini explains.
"You can use the tools of being an investor to cast your vote for causes you care about, like affordable housing and social justice."
Amy Domini believes that the urgency of the moment is the climate crisis and the opportunity for investors and businesses to work toward a more sustainable future. For example, according to the Climate-related Financial Disclosure Task Force's (TCFD) Carbon Intensity Index, as of September 2021, the Domini Impact Equity Fund portfolio is 61% less carbon intensive than its benchmark (against other funds), emitting per million dollars in sales 71 tons less.
By seeking investments that promote not only universal values such as fairness, equality, justice, and respect for human rights, but also long-term positive environmental impact, Amy Domini and her firm are inspiring a bigger, greener world for each and every investor. Learn more about Domini and the Domini Impact Equity Fund.
Investments in the Domini Funds are not bank deposits, are not insured, carry certain risks, are subject to possible loss of principal, and are available only to US investors upon presentation of a prospectus. For a prospectus containing these and other important information, please call 1-800-225-3863. For more information on legal disclosures, see DSIL Investment Services LLC (DSIL) Sales Company 4/22.
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