Asset Classes Asset class is a group of assets with similar characteristics, particularly in terms of risk, return, liquidity, and regulations. Equities (stocks) and fixed income (bonds) are traditional asset class examples. There are significant differences between stocks and bonds (different asset classes), such as risk, how they are traded, how they pay income (coupons vs. dividends), or…

Investing with a Tailored Portfolio An important factor in choosing a tailored portfolio is whether you have sufficient funds (which usually requires large investment sums). A tailored fund means that a fund manager will invest your money according to your specific requirements (such as avoiding companies which manufacture armaments). Before you begin, it will be…

Investment Advisor Working with an investment adviser can be especially useful if you have a large amount of money to invest. They can help you to develop and implement a Responsible Investment policy. They can help you to identify and select a fund manager. In order to find an appropriate adviser it is important that…

5 steps to developing a Responsible Investment policy Developing a Responsible Investment policy can be straightforward. The steps outlined below will lead you through the process of developing and implementing a policy. It will highlight some of the issues for you to consider and provide useful links to further information and resources. It is important…

Asset Classes Asset class is a group of assets with similar characteristics, particularly in terms of risk, return, liquidity, and regulations. Equities (stocks) and fixed income (bonds) are traditional asset class examples. There are significant differences between stocks and bonds (different asset classes), such as risk, how they are traded, how they pay income (coupons vs. dividends), or…

Investing in Funds The options available to you will depend upon how much you have to invest, as well as your investment strategy and social, environmental and ethical criteria. Investing in a fund allows you to pool your money with other investors, and this is invested in line with the strategy and criteria (financial and…

Investing with a Tailored Portfolio An important factor in choosing a tailored portfolio is whether you have sufficient funds (which usually requires large investment sums). A tailored fund means that a fund manager will invest your money according to your specific requirements (such as avoiding companies which manufacture armaments). Before you begin, it will be…

Investment Advisor Working with an investment adviser can be especially useful if you have a large amount of money to invest. They can help you to develop and implement a Responsible Investment policy. They can help you to identify and select a fund manager. In order to find an appropriate adviser it is important that…

Asset Classes Asset class is a group of assets with similar characteristics, particularly in terms of risk, return, liquidity, and regulations. Equities (stocks) and fixed income (bonds) are traditional asset class examples. There are significant differences between stocks and bonds (different asset classes), such as risk, how they are traded, how they pay income (coupons vs. dividends), or…

Investing in Funds The options available to you will depend upon how much you have to invest, as well as your investment strategy and social, environmental and ethical criteria. Investing in a fund allows you to pool your money with other investors, and this is invested in line with the strategy and criteria (financial and…

5 steps to developing a Responsible Investment policy Developing a Responsible Investment policy can be straightforward. The steps outlined below will lead you through the process of developing and implementing a policy. It will highlight some of the issues for you to consider and provide useful links to further information and resources. It is important…

Animal Rights Animal Testing Animal testing can occur during the testing of cosmetic products and other chemicals, drug research and development and fundamental biological research (scientific research). The European Union has agreed to ban most cosmetic testing on animals from 2009, along with importantly a ban on importing cosmetics with ingredients tested on animals into…

Health Screens directly related to the advancement of health and the saving of lives include: Alcohol and Tobacco, and Weapons and Arms Manufacturing. Issues related to the environment also have significant impacts on health and the saving of lives. Latest news & events Go to news Contact us Get in touch

Human Rights Screen directly related to the advancement of human rights, conflict resolution or the reconciliation or the promotion of religious or racial harmony or equality and diversity include: Human Rights, Weapons and Arms Manufacturing, Corporate Responsibility, diversity standards and the environment. Latest news & events Go to news Contact us Get in touch

Poverty Screens directly related to the prevention of relief of poverty include: Human Rights, Weapons and Arms Manufacturing and Corporate Responsibility. Also considering screening out 'sin stocks' which make it harder for individuals to get out of poverty: Tobacco and Alcohol and Gambling. Environmental issues can also lead to health problems and natural disasters which…

Environment Screen directly related to the advancement of environmental protection or improve include all issues related to the environment. Also consider issues which could increase the likelihood of environmental degradation: Human Rights, Weapons and Arms Manufacturing, Corporate Responsibility and Animal Rights. Latest news & events Go to news Contact us Get in touch

Education Screens directly related to the advancement of education include: Human Rights Also consider screening out issues which increase poverty, as this makes it harder for children in particular to access education: Weapons and Arms Manufacturing, Corporate Responsibility, the environment. Latest news & events Go to news Contact us Get in touch

Religion Depending on the religious objectives of your charity, the following 'sin stocks' may be relevant for your charity to avoid: Tobacco and Alcohol, Gambling and Pornography. You may also want to consider issues related to the fair treatment of people: Human Rights, Weapons and Arms Manufacturing, Corporate Responsibility and the environment. Latest news & events…

Community Development Screen directly related to the advancement of citizenship or community development include: Corporate Responsibility, Poor diversity standards, Human Rights, and Weapons and Arms Manufacturing. Issues related to the environment will also have adverse effects on community development. Latest news & events Go to news Contact us Get in touch

Arts and Culture Screen directly related to the advancement of arts, culture, heritage or science include: Poor diversity standards You may also want to consider issues related to the fair treatment of people: Human Rights, Weapons and Arms Manufacturing, Corporate Responsibility and the environment. Latest news & events Go to news Contact us Get in touch

Sport Screen directly related to the advancement of amateur sport include: Poor diversity standards You can consider issues related to the fair treatment of people: Human Rights, Weapons and Arms Manufacturing, Corporate Responsibility and the environment. You may also want to consider issues which relate to poor health: Tobacco and Alcohol Latest news & events Go…

Equality and Diversity Screen directly related to the relief of those in need include: Human Rights and Corporate Responsibility. Issues which increase hardship can include: Weapons and Arms Manufacturing, diversity standards and the environment. Issues which are bad for health and can increase financial hardship: Tobacco and Alcohol and Gambling Latest news & events Go…

Emergency Services Screen directly related to the promotion of the efficiency of the armed forces of the crown, or of the efficiency of the police, fire and rescue services or ambulance services include: Human Rights and Corporate Responsibility. Latest news & events Go to news Contact us Get in touch

Any Other Mission If your charity's aims do not fit into any of the twelve charitable objectives above you will need to consider primary and secondary concerns for your charity based on its specific purpose. The EIRIS Foundation is able to provide bespoke support if required. Latest news & events Go to news Contact us…

Partnerships and Engagement Partnerships and engagement with corporates and others can help you in your responsible investment journey to further your mission and charitable purposes.   Ethical sponsorship and/or donations policy If you are a fundraising charity you can create or review your ethical sponsorship or donations policy for corporate or other sponsorships and donations. The policy should be there to ensure that you only receive funding…

Making your Journey Public Charities who are further along their responsible investing journey should consider publicising the process that they went through. This can be extremely beneficial for other charities who are further behind in their responsible investment journey.   What you could document Your decision making process E.g. were decisions made by an investment committee?  Where did you go for information and expertise? E.g. did you talk…

Donor and Partner Screening Your charity may wish to ensure that the companies you work with do not pose a significant risk to your reputation or conflict with your objectives. Developing a policy that guides which companies you are willing to accept funding from, partner with or buy services from can be useful. Why screen…

Employee Pension Funds An employee pension scheme is a great opportunity to incorporate environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria, for charities of all sizes.        Discussions about your charity’s employee pension is a useful way to engage your employees on ESG issues. Charity employees in particular are likely to be more concerned about ESG issues.   Auto-Enrolment…