Racial Equity & Justice Giving
Natural Investments donates at least half of its annual charitable contributions towards racial equity and justice organizations, particularly those working on financial and economic issues.
Annual Company Letter – Being the Change
In the past seven years, Natural Investments successfully achieved gender parity and attained 24% advisors of color. Our plan had always been to gradually sell ownership stakes to these younger advisors, but our unanticipated growth in assets under management brought a much higher company valuation. It became prohibitively expensive for people to buy in.
Sustainable & Responsible Impact
Investors continue to pursue sustainable and socially responsible investing (SRI) in 2023, despite attacks on ESG policies from conservative spheres and the Federal Reserve’s efforts to shrink the economy. Natural Investments has more than doubled its holdings in the last five years.
Shareholder Advocacy – Wielding Influence
Natural Investments has actively participated in efforts to guide the SEC’s rule making attempts. We urged the passage of two regulatory actions related to climate change disclosure and advisors and funds classified as ESG.
Regenerative Investments
Natural Investments refers to private market investments as “regenerative” because this economic capital attempts to mimic natural ecosystems. It provides integrative cycles of financial support and opportunity while minimizing toxic social and environmental repercussions.
Spotlight: Capital Impact Partners
The barriers to escaping poverty in this country are steep and complex, but Capital Impact Partners (CIP), a mission-driven, nonprofit community development financial institution, is tackling them head on. CIP invests in high-poverty areas that are often overlooked by traditional financial institutions.
Spotlight: Local Code Kansas City
LocalCode Kansas City is a Black woman-owned, regenerative real estate development company based in the east side of Kansas City, Mo. The company, co-founded by Ajia Morris, an attorney, real estate developer, mother of four, and longtime resident of the east side’s urban core, was created to directly address the city’s intergenerational racial wealth inequality problem.
Spotlight: Organically Grown Company
Long-time followers of the organic food industry have seen many of their favorite companies bought out by corporations that do not share their values. Organically Grown Company, the nation’s largest wholesale distributor of organic fresh produce, did not want to fall victim to the acquisition trend.
