The case for aligning money and mission is made easiest at faith-based institutions where advancing social justice and advocating for those most vulnerable is the unstated "business plan". It is no wonder then, that many religious organizations are drawn to the ICCR coalition as a vehicle to help faith communities further their institutional goals through their investments and, specifically, through their direct corporate engagements.
As outlined in our discussion of the intersection of faith and finance, nearly every faith tradition underscores the need to "walk the talk" in all aspects of one's life, including in matters financial. While our faith-based members come from a variety of faith traditions, our objectives are aligned; we strive to transform corporations so that justice, equality and the promotion of sustainable communities becomes their unstated business plan.
We welcome participation from all faith-based organizations that share our goals and are happy to answer any questions you may have about our work.
Case Study: Wespath Invesment Management
Wespath is the investment management division of the General Board of Pension and Health Benefits of The United Methodist Church. With approximately $19 billion in assets under management, the General Board is recognized as the largest faith-based benefit plans administrator and pension fund/investment asset manager, and is among the top 100 pension fund managers in the U.S.
“For Wespath, ICCR is the perfect venue for our access to medicines work. As a result of the pharmaceutical roundtable hosted by ICCR two years ago, many of the corporate participants agreed to enter into negotiation with the Medicines Patent Pool. Not all of these negotiations will lead to agreements, but Wespath and ICCR helped facilitate conversations that may ultimately save lives.”
Anita Green
Wespath Investment Management
Case Study: Mercy Investment Services 
Mercy Investment Services is an asset management program for the collective investment and professional management of the endowment, operating, and other funds of the Sisters of Mercy.
“ICCR has been instrumental in supporting our efforts, through resources in staff expertise and the shareholder resolutions Database that we all share. The ability to easily communicate with other members, find information about issues of concern and convening of members and other like-minded organizations has been essential to the Sisters of Mercy achieving its mission of using our role as shareholders to achieve positive systemic change."
Susan Smith Makos
Mercy Investment Services
Case Study: PACRI, Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia
The Philadelphia Area Coalition for Responsible Investment, more generally known as PACRI, was formed in 1979 to assist faith-based investors to monitor their investment portfolios. PACRI’s mission calls members to work collaboratively with the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility (ICCR) as together we address environmental, social, and governance issues with corporations.
"My participation in PACRI and ICCR has given me numerous opportunities “to take the necessary risks” (OSF Mission Statement) and pro-actively incentivize corporations to commit to policies and practices that are accountable, transparent and sustainable. Being an active member of PACRI/ICCR and working with numerous other Socially Responsible Investment organizations allows me to be at the heart of initiatives that promote the common good while challenging the corporate culture to reduce its footprint in social, ecological/environmental, and financial exploitation. My vision is of a world where communities at the bottom of the pyramid will have the means to live with dignity. Through our corporate engagements, we can advance economic justice for all."
Sr. Nora Nash
Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia, and PACRI
To begin a conversation today about how your organization can join ICCR, please contact Kyle Cheseborough at [email protected] or (212) 870-2936.
Resources for Faith-Based Investors:
ICCR's Statement of Principles and Recommendations for Corporate Water Stewardship
ICCR's Statement of Principles and Recommended Practices for Corporations on Domestic Health Issues
Faith and Finance: Finding Common Ground to Protect the Common Good