Frequently Asked Questions

General Information

How is Greenwood Investments different from a brokerage?

Greenwood Investments provides a personalized wealth management experience, allowing users to create their own customized portfolios. Brokerages offer a platform for users to trade individual securities without direct assistance.

Is Greenwood Investments a regulated institution?

Greenwood provides investment advice through its affiliate, GreenwoodAdvisors LLC, an SEC-registered Investment Adviser. The SEC primarily aims to enforce securities laws and protect the public by regulating investment advisers.

Are Greenwood Investments safe?

“Note that all investments carry some risk, including the potential loss of principal invested. Investments typically do not yield a steady rate of return and may experience negative returns. As with any type of portfolio structuring, attempting to reduce risk and increase return could, at certain times, unintentionally reduce returns.

We are registered with the SEC as an investment advisor and comply with all applicable rules and regulations set forth by the SEC and other relevant regulatory organizations. All funds invested through Greenwood are eligible for SIPC insurance and are held by an independent qualified custodian, a regulated entity.”

What are your obligations to me?

This fiduciary standard mandates that a Registered Investment Adviser (“RIA”) always unconditionally put the client’s best interests ahead of their own, regardless of all other circumstances. RIAs must also disclose any potential conflicts of interest to their clients and conduct their business dealings in an ethically sound manner.

Investment Account Fees

What am I getting for my fees?

Greenwoods offers users the benefits of direct stock ownership with bond exposures while simultaneously maximizing tax advantages. Using our proprietary algorithm, we optimize your portfolio in line with your specified investment goals, risk tolerance, and other key criteria, including ESG preferences.

What are Greenwood’s fees?

Greenwood charges a standard investment advisory fee for each strategy based on the aggregate net asset value in the client’s account. The investment advisory fee includes custody fees and commissions generated for trades executed. The annual investment advisory fee will be accrued daily and collected monthly in arrears. If a client terminates their account before the end of the month, the investment advisory fee will be prorated. Investment advisory fees will also be collected when processing withdrawal requests, resulting in insufficient assets in the account to cover any fees due at the time of withdrawal. There may be additional fees that clients will be responsible for that are charged by the custodian or the funds in which the account is invested.  Greenwood provides investment advice through its affiliate, Greenwood Advisors LLC, a SEC-registered Investment Adviser (“Adviser” or “Greenwood”). For more information, please refer to Greenwood’s ADV part 2A, Item 5, Fees and Compensation. These documents can be found in the “Legal” section under “Settings” in the app.

What kind of trading commissions will I incur?

The investment advisory fee includes custody fees and commissions generated for trades executed with an independent qualified custodian to create your portfolio.

When does Greenwood charge its investment management fee?

Investment management fees will be charged at the end of the month. If an account is being closed, final fees will be charged prorated at the time of account closing.

Where do I see my total fees paid?

Your fees are visible on the dashboard and in your account statements, which we send monthly. We urge you to compare Greenwood’s reports with the account statements you will receive from the custodian.

Are there custodial fees associated with accounts?

The investment advisory fee includes custody fees and commissions generated for trades executed with Pershing to create your portfolio.

Do I get a discounted fee for having a larger account?

It is a general industry standard that accounts of any size are charged the same percentage fee.

How are fees calculated?

The annual investment advisory fee will be accrued daily and collected monthly in arrears. If a client terminates their account before the end of the month, the fee will be prorated accordingly. Investment advisory fees will also be collected when processing withdrawal requests that result in insufficient assets in the account to pay any fees due at the time of the withdrawal.

How do fees affect my returns?

Fees are deducted from an account’s value. Therefore, ongoing fees reduce the value of your investment portfolio over time because any returns before fees would have compounded, but those returns would not be available for reinvestment.

What is the catch? How much will this cost me?

There is no fee to open or terminate your account, nor are there any transaction fees. However, as with other similar services, an annual asset management fee applies, and it is charged on a prorated monthly basis or if an account is closed early.

Opening My Investment Account

How do I open an investment account?

To open an account, complete the account opening steps on our website or mobile app.

Who can create an account?

Any U.S. citizen or resident alien over 18 with a valid Social Security number or Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) can open an account. Greenwood will offer custodial accounts for investors under 18 in the future.

Can I add a minor as a beneficiary?

We do not support this yet.

Can I open a joint account?

Right now, Greenwood Investments only offers individual investment accounts.

Can I open a business account?

Not at the moment, but we are working on it.

Can I open an account for a trust?

Not at the moment, but we are working on it.

Can I open an account if I do not have a U.S. phone number?

You can open a Greenwood account if you are a U.S. citizen and at least 18 years old.

Why hasn’t my account been approved?

Every user opening an account must undergo the required regulatory screening processes. An issue during the regulatory screening may delay or halt the account opening.

Can Greenwood reject opening an account for me or close my account?

Greenwood Investments is a regulated financial institution and may be obligated to prevent an account from being opened or closed if details arise that would classify such an account as a risk. Greenwood conducts electronic identity and address verification for all users opening accounts. These are part of the “Know Your Customers” (KYC) screens required to open investment accounts. Greenwood reserves the right to reject or close accounts based on risks that may arise during customer screening and ongoing account monitoring.

How do I know if I’m restricted from trading a stock?

Employees, officers, and directors of public corporations, as well as individuals with access to confidential company information, may be prohibited from owning stock in that company. When you set up your Greenwood Investments account, we’ll ask you questions that help you determine if you are restricted from trading a particular stock. If there is a specific stock you want to avoid for other reasons, you can also exclude that stock manually during your account setup or by adjusting your account preferences.

Can Greenwood reject opening an account for me or close my account?

Greenwood Investments is a regulated financial institution and may be obligated to prevent an account from being opened or closed if details arise that would classify such an account as a risk. Greenwood conducts electronic identity and address verification for all users opening accounts. These are part of the “Know Your Customers” (KYC) screens required to open investment accounts. Greenwood reserves the right to reject or close accounts based on risks that may arise during customer screening and ongoing account monitoring.

Account Usage

How can I fund my account?

You can fund your account by transferring money from a bank account you’ve entered in the Greenwood app or by linking your account and transferring money with Plaid. This secure platform allows different financial institutions to securely and easily link and facilitate transfers. Plaid is an independent, unaffiliated firm of Greenwood.

How long does it take to transfer funds into my account?

A fund transfer from your linked bank account may take up to two business days to become available for investing.

What happens if I am charged an overdraft fee because of my linked Greenwood account?

Please ensure adequate funds are in your bank account before initiating transfers to Greenwood from your linked account. Unfortunately, we cannot assist you if you attempt to transfer more funds than are available in your linked account.

How do I change my recurring contributions?

You can change your recurring contributions on your dashboard.

Why was my contribution rejected?

Your contribution will be rejected if you have insufficient funds in your linked account.

How do I deposit additional funds into my account?

Once your bank account is linked, you can use our app to manually initiate one-off additional transfers or set it to transfer contributions at regular intervals automatically.

Are there maximum contribution limits?

There are no maximum limits on contributions.

Can I set up recurring transfers?

You can set up recurring contributions through the app when you open an account and connect your linked institution. You can also update your settings on the app after an account opening to change your contribution settings.

What happens after I make contributions?

We do our best to invest your contribution the same day it transfers into your account. If your contribution is received after the daily market hours have ended, we’ll invest your funds on the next open market day.

Where are my account statements?

Your account documents are available on your Greenwood dashboard and in the monthly account statement sent by the custodian.

Closing My Investment Account

How do I close my account?

First, you must withdraw all your money from the account. Once you’ve withdrawn all funds, you can close your account using the app or website. There are no specific account closing fees, but the annual investment advisory fee will be prorated for the portion unpaid and collected at closing.

What happens after I close an account?

You will still be able to log in and access your tax documents. However, Greenwood will not be able to invest funds on your behalf.

How long does it take to get my money after closing my account?

It should take approximately four business days to settle the sold transactions and two business days for the ACH bank transfer to clear.

Are there account closing fees?

No specific account closing fees are applicable; however, the annual investment advisory fee will be prorated and collected at closing.

Essential Things to Know about Investing

How does the stock market work?

“The stock market works through a variety of exchanges, such as the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and the Nasdaq Stock Market (Nasdaq) in the United States. These exchanges were physical locations in the past, but today the stock market works electronically. Companies list shares of their stock in an exchange through an initial public offering (IPO), and investors can purchase or sell those shares once they are available on the market. The stock market exchange tracks the supply and demand for each stock, as well as its value. 

Indexes representing all or a subset of the stocks listed on an exchange or exchanges are often quoted by the press. Some of the best-known of these indexes are the Dow Jones Industrial Average, the S&P 500, and the NASDAQ 100.

What are market trading hours?

The stock market in the United States (including the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and Nasdaq Stock Market (Nasdaq)) is open from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern Time on weekdays, except for stock market holidays. The start and end of these sessions are commonly referred to as the “market open” and “market close.” The regular trading hours at the NYSE are also the most active trading period within a 24-hour period. Stock markets in other countries are open at different times.

What are restricted stocks?

Employees, officers, and directors of public corporations, as well as individuals with access to confidential company information, may be prohibited from owning stock in that company. When you set up your Greenwood Investments account, we’ll ask you questions that help you determine if you are restricted from trading a particular stock. If there is a specific stock you want to avoid for other reasons, you can also exclude that stock manually during your account setup or by adjusting your account preferences.

What’s a corporate action?

A corporate action is a company event that impacts its stakeholders (shareholders, creditors, and other parties). Examples of everyday corporate actions include dividend payments, stock splits, tender offers, mergers, and acquisitions.

What is an initial public offering (“going public”)?

An initial public offering (IPO or “going public”) occurs when a privately held company becomes publicly traded. When a company goes public via an initial public offering (IPO), it offers to sell shares in its business to outside investors on a recognized stock exchange, such as the New York Stock Exchange or the Nasdaq. Once a company is public, investors can buy and sell shares.

What is a bond?

A bond is a way for a company to raise money, functioning as a loan from an investor (the lender) to the company (the borrower). The borrower uses the money to fund its operations, and the lender earns interest on their investment. A bond is issued for a set period. When that time ends, the bond matures, and the principal is returned to the investor. Bonds can also be purchased or sold at a discount before maturity.

What are dividends?

Like savings accounts that pay interest, shares may generate an income stream in the form of dividends (your share of company profits). Dividends are typically paid to shareholders either regularly (monthly, quarterly, or yearly) or in larger one-off special dividends.

What is compounding?

Unlike simple interest, compound interest includes interest on interest that has already been earned and credited to your account. Compounding refers to the process of earning interest on top of reinvested interest.

What is a bull or bear market?

“Bull” and “bear” are terms that are often used in investing to refer to the overall condition of the stock market—that is, whether the stock market is appreciating (“bullish”) or depreciating (“bearish”) over the long term in value. Typically, a bull market is characterized by a sustained increase in stock prices, which occurs when the general economic conditions are favorable. A bear market occurs when the economy is in decline and share prices show a declining trend. While market conditions will affect your investments, it is helpful to remember that the stock market has consistently posted positive returns over the long term.

What is a fractional share?

A fractional share is exactly what it sounds like—a share amount less than one full company share. Fractional shares allow you to purchase based on the dollar amount you want to invest rather than the price of the full share. Fractional shares are an affordable way to buy shares in companies that are performing well and have expensive stocks.

What is margin?

Margin is when a broker uses investments in the investor’s account as collateral for a loan, usually used to make additional investments.

What is dollar cost averaging?

Dollar-cost averaging is an investment strategy that involves contributing a fixed amount of money at regular intervals to a portfolio or fund over time.

What is a stock split?

A stock split occurs when the number of a company’s shares outstanding is increased by a specified factor, often 2 to 1. When the split occurs, the company’s share price will decline by an amount proportional to the increase in the number of shares. For instance, if a stock trading for $30 splits 2 for 1, a shareholder with 100 shares would receive an additional 100 shares, for a total of 200 shares, while the price would decline from $30 to $15 to reflect the increased share count. If the same stock were to split 3 for 1, the shareholder would receive an additional 200 shares for a total of 300, while the stock price would decline from $30 to $10 as a result of the split.

What is cash drag?

Cash drag refers to the negative impact of holding cash on a portfolio’s performance in a rising market.

What is rules-based investing?

Investment decisions are based on predetermined rules rather than an investor’s potentially ad hoc discretionary choices. The systematic process helps in maintaining exact discipline when executing a specific strategy.

What does capital gain mean?

Capital gain is the increase in the value of an asset, such as a stock. Capital gain is considered “unrealized,” or a “paper gain,” when you have not yet sold the asset.

How can I time the market?

Attempting to time the markets is complicated. Trying to do it consistently over extended periods is even more challenging. Even many notable industry professionals have not been able to do this. The recommended approach for general investors is to employ a guided wealth management strategy that invests regularly, without attempting to time the markets. Historically, the market has continued on a positive trajectory.

What does rebalancing my portfolio mean?

Rebalancing your portfolio refers to adjusting its allocation to restore its composition to a mix that aligns with the parameters set by your selected investment goals, risk tolerance, and other criteria, such as ESG preferences.

What is an expense ratio?

This is the expense ratio of the assets held in an investment account. For instance, for an account worth $10,000, an expense ratio of 1% means that the account would incur $100 in expenses annually.

Investing in a Purpose

What is ESG investing?

ESG stands for Environmental, Social, and Governance. ESG investing (sometimes called “socially responsible” or “sustainable” investing) is an investment strategy that prioritizes investing in companies with high environmental, social, and governance standards—in other words. These companies have a strong track record in issues such as environmental protection and employee care.

What is sustainable investing with Greenwood?

Greenwood shares many investors’ concerns regarding the controversial business practices of a few publicly traded corporations. Greenwood allows clients to build investment portfolios that exclude companies profiting from specific sectors, such as fossil fuels and weapons manufacturing. Greenwood also develops client portfolios prioritizing sustainability, equity, and diversity among industry leaders.

How do ESG selections affect my portfolio construction?

Depending on your ESG preference selections, your portfolio may emphasize, or “lean in”, to certain types of companies that meet your ESG criteria. Your preferences can also be used to exclude companies from your portfolio if they fail to meet specified ESG criteria.

How do I enable sustainable investing?

In the account opening questionnaire, users are given the option to select specific ESG values that align with their own. Some of these contribute to sustainable investing, such as protecting the environment and reducing inequality. Sustainable investing is a foundational offering we unlock for users.

How do my ESG preferences impact my portfolio performance?

Greenwood also offers portfolio indexing that proactively invests in environmental and social practice business leaders (“Lean-In portfolios”). Greenwood’s Lean-In portfolios provide the same diversification and stability as its equity advantage indexing.

Portfolios are built with an index pre-screened for controversial business practices, and then further analysis is used to identify companies leading the way in social and environmental stewardship.  Greenwood identifies companies with similar fundamental business and investment characteristics, including capitalization, dividends, risk, and industry exposure. A representative sampling process gives a higher investment weight to businesses with superior environmental and social business characteristics.  Greenwood spotlights companies with better ecological ratings in multiple sustainability areas, including carbon emissions and water usage.  Social responsibility is measured by examining diversity and inclusivity metrics at the employee, management, and board levels.

Based on these leadership appraisals, portfolio selection enables clients to invest in businesses that are innovators in sustainability and corporate responsibility. While Greenwood strives to ensure its Lean-In portfolios have a similar risk and return profile to its traditional equity portfolios, they will naturally exhibit some variation in outcome compared to portfolios without these priorities. Information technology companies are highly likely to be stewardship leaders in the current investment ecosystem, meaning they tend to figure more heavily in Greenwood’s Lean-In portfolios. This proportion will likely fluctuate over time, depending on changes in management, technology, and regulation across the investment landscape.

Will my sustainable investing selections affect the performance of my portfolio?

Studies have yielded diverse conclusions about ESG investing. Therefore, there may not be any performance benefits generated by ESG investing. With sustainability-focused, socially conscious investing still in its early phases, the impact of this approach on portfolio performance will become more apparent over time. With that said, users can participate in ESG-oriented investing to align themselves with the values they care about.

How does Greenwood screen for potentially problematic businesses?

Greenwood collates independent reports from business analysts on corporations’ governance and environmental practices in its indices and offers clients the option to exclude corporations that this assessment identifies as being at issue.

Greenwood screens companies for their level of involvement in manufacturing or supplying tobacco products, small arms, and other controversial weapons. Greenwood’s assessment process also flags companies that derive significant revenue from coal production, shale gas production, and fracking, as well as corporations with significant unspecified or undetermined oil and gas revenue.

Other problems Greenwood screens for include human rights abuses, environmental catastrophes, large-scale fraud, and other illegal commercial business practices. Companies currently engaging in these practices are excluded from the index for at least two quarters, as long as the controversy persists.

Greenwood recognizes that any such assessment is necessarily subjective. Still, by flagging issues most clients find problematic, Greenwood offers the choice to exclude corporations whose business practices clients do not support. 

What ESG factors are available to me?

ESG factors generally fall under several broad categories. The factors we use include:

• Social Causes
• End poverty
• End hunger
• Ensure health
• Empower women
• Ensure education
• Ensure clean water
• Ensure clean energy
• Promote decent work
• Reduce inequality
• Make cities sustainable

Investment Principles (specific causes, themes, or classes)

• Exclude contraceptives
• Exclude alcohol
• Exclude pork
• Exclude stem cells
• Exclude military
• Exclude firearms
• Exclude prisons
• Exclude tobacco
• Exclude predatory lending
• Environmental
• Exclude animal cruelty
• Exclude hazardous pesticides
• Exclude GMO
• Combat climate change
• Protect all life
• Protect marine life
• Protect terrestrial life
• Ensure sustainable consumption
• Build resilient infrastructure
• Take climate action
• Vegan investing
• Exclude firearms
• Exclude gambling
• Exclude pork
• Faith-based investing

   

  • Baptist values

     

    • Exclude abortifacients
    • Exclude gambling
    • Exclude tobacco

       

  • Catholic values

     

    • Exclude abortifacients
    • Exclude gambling
    • Exclude tobacco
    • Exclude contraceptives
    • Exclude military
    • Exclude firearms
    • Exclude stem cells
    • Exclude prisons
  • Jewish values

     

    •   Exclude prisons
    •   Exclude tobacco

       

  • Shariah values

     

    •   Exclude alcohol
    •   Exclude military

Ending Poverty

You can help end global poverty by actively investing in companies that work to increase economic opportunities, provide essential services, and accelerate investment in impoverished areas worldwide.

Ending poverty is crucial to ensuring justice, peace, and security. The causes of poverty are myriad and include unemployment, economic instability, social inequality, and vulnerability to natural disasters and other effects of climate change. Strong social systems are crucial in mitigating the impact of poverty and preventing more people from falling into it. 

The private sector can significantly reduce poverty worldwide by investing in critical infrastructure, promoting economic opportunities for impoverished individuals, and ensuring that corporate policies account for inclusivity and poverty reduction. 

Your portfolio might include stocks like NextEra Energy, an American energy company that designs programs for vulnerable populations; Chubb, an insurance company that provides microinsurance for low-income individuals; or Pfizer, a pharmaceutical company that researches cures for deadly tropical diseases that disproportionately affect impoverished populations.

Ending Hunger

You can help end hunger worldwide by supporting companies working to achieve food security in vulnerable areas, promote sustainable agriculture, and improve nutrition.

A world without hunger is better for global stability, health, the economy, and development. Urgent action is necessary to prevent starvation in high-crisis areas, and long-term solutions are required to ensure vulnerable individuals have access to adequate nutrition and sustainable agricultural systems.

Corporations can help to end hunger by investing in sustainable agriculture, equitable supply chains, climate change mitigation, and food security safeguards.

Your portfolio might include stocks like Auga Group, a European organic food company promoting sustainable soil and biodiversity management; Bonduelle, a French vegetable production company working to conserve water and improve biodiversity; or Select Harvests, an Australian almond grower working to conserve water and promote soil quality.

Ensuring Health

Your investment can support companies worldwide in ensuring the health and well-being of all people.

Health issues, including maternal and child mortality, infectious disease reduction, immunization, and access to adequate healthcare, are significant problems in both wealthy and impoverished countries. The COVID-19 pandemic has further impacted access to healthcare globally. In addition to affecting individual and community quality of life and well-being, healthcare crises can push many people into long-term poverty.

Corporations can promote access to quality healthcare and support innovations in the healthcare sector that are accessible to all people, regardless of income. They can also invest in quality healthcare access, especially for vulnerable people, raise awareness, and support people in making well-informed decisions like practicing safe sex, vaccinating themselves and their children, and prioritizing healthy lifestyle choices. 

Your portfolio might include stocks like Moderna, a pharmaceutical company focused on supporting patient safety; Savaria, a company that manufactures assistive devices for people with disabilities; or Anthem, Inc., an insurance company that promotes access to healthcare.

Empowering Women

You can help end gender inequality by investing in companies working to support the rights of women and girls worldwide.

Women are both disproportionately impacted by community inequality and an essential component of community sustainability and wellbeing. Persistent inequality, lack of access to adequate reproductive and maternal healthcare, gender-based violence, and lack of access to education are significant barriers around the world to gender equality. 

Corporations can work toward gender parity by investing in reproductive and maternal healthcare, improving educational access for women, reducing poverty, and ensuring gender equality within their ranks. 

Your portfolio might include stocks like Citigroup, a bank that offers flexible maternity and dependent care leave to its employees; Workday, Inc., a software company that prioritizes gender equity in its hiring practices; or AbbVie, a pharmaceutical company that develops contraceptives.

Ensure Universal Education Access

You can support access to quality education for all children and young people by supporting companies that develop solutions to address educational inequality.

Access to education is critical to healthy communities and a key factor in escaping poverty.

Companies can address education inequality by investing in infrastructure for at-risk communities and developing innovative high-, low-, and no-tech solutions. Corporations can also lobby governments to prioritize access to free primary and secondary education for all children, especially girls and young women, and to promote literacy and gender parity.

Your portfolio might include stocks like Amazon, which distributes quality educational materials worldwide; TFCU, a financial institution that offers student loans; or Dollar General Corporation, a chain of stores that supports the construction of schools and other educational facilities.

Promote Access to Clean Water

Investing in companies that enhance access to clean water can help achieve the goal of providing all people with access to clean water and sanitation. 

Clean water is essential for maintaining health, ensuring food security, promoting economic stability, and sustaining ecosystems. Practicing basic hygiene, such as hand washing, is also critical to preventing disease and infection. Water availability is heavily impacted by climate change. Access to safe water and hygiene is a fundamental human right.

Companies can invest in water research and sustainable infrastructure, hold governments accountable, and ensure the inclusion of women, young people, and Indigenous communities in decision-making processes around water access and water resource governance. They can develop new technologies that improve water access and sanitation.

Your portfolio might include stocks like A. O. Smith, a company that designs water treatment systems; Blue Planet Investments, a water purification company; or China Everbright Environmental Group, which builds wastewater treatment plants.

Promote Access to Clean Energy

You can support clean energy by investing in companies that promote clean and sustainable energy sources worldwide.

Renewable and sustainable energy sources are critical in the fight against climate change.

Corporations can work to prioritize the transition to green and renewable energy sources by investing in affordable, sustainable energy solutions and by adopting clean energy infrastructure themselves. They can also reduce their demand for carbon-based energy by reducing worker commutes, incentivizing sustainable travel methods, and reducing their operational carbon footprint.

Your portfolio might include stocks like Codexis, a protein engineering company that develops enzymes to increase production efficiency; Trane Technologies, a manufacturing company that produces components for hybrid vehicles; or Tesla, a company that designs electric cars and solar energy systems.

Promote Meaningful Work Opportunities and Economic Growth

Meaningful work can be defined as productive work that pays a fair wage and includes workplace protections for laborers. People around the world need access to safe jobs with fair pay. 

Meaningful work is essential to sustainable economic growth, worker safety, and worker dignity.

Corporations can commit to providing safe, well-paid, socially integrated work themselves. They can partner globally with other companies that prioritize worker safety and health. They can ensure all links in their supply chain provide fair working conditions and opportunities for advancement. They can commit to providing training and education for workers and their families, implementing health and safety regulations, ensuring their employment practices are non-discriminatory, and requiring their supply chain partners to do the same. 

Your portfolio might include stocks like Crown Castle International Corp, an investment company, or Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, both of which are working to ensure labor rights, or Micron Technology, a tech company taking measures to improve working conditions.

Reduce Inequality

You can invest in companies working to end inequality and discrimination, including racism, homophobia, sexism, transphobia, religious intolerance, and ableism. 

Equality is a basic tenet of a healthy society. Inequality poses a significant threat to long-term sustainable development, economic growth, and the health of communities and individuals.

Corporations can commit to promoting equality internally by ensuring non-discriminatory hiring and promotion practices, providing wage equality, and investing in health, education, and other initiatives for their employees and throughout their supply chains. Companies can pay particular attention to prioritizing the needs of marginalized and disadvantaged communities in their internal practices and community interactions, and can commit to developing initiatives that address inequality.

Your portfolio might include stocks like Honeywell, John Deere, or Intel, which are working to ensure their supply chains protect workers and enforce labor standards.

Increase Urban Inclusivity and Safety

You can support urban development that is inclusive and safe for all people who live in cities.

Ensuring that cities are inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable even as they experience significant growth is essential to community health. Inequality and pollution are substantial barriers to achieving livable cities, and rapid urbanization is exerting considerable pressure on extant urban infrastructure, transportation, and public health. 

Corporations can commit to promoting sustainable urban planning, including green transportation initiatives and using renewable resources, and by incentivizing public transportation and ethical business practices. Building urban resilience and safety is essential to sustainable economic growth and thriving communities.

Your portfolio might include stocks like Mastercard, which ensures a percentage of its buildings are built to green standards; Intuit, a software company that uses renewable energy sources; or Anthem, a health insurance company that covers low-income people.

Fight Climate Change

You can invest in companies working to mitigate the effects of climate change to preserve a livable planet.

We can take urgent action to mitigate the impact of climate change, prevent more severe changes, and safeguard the future of our planet for ourselves and other living beings.

Companies can protect our future by reducing emissions, utilizing recycled materials, promoting conservation, and developing technologies and products that mitigate the impact of global warming.

Your portfolio might include stocks like CCRC Corporation, a company that builds wind turbines and electric vehicles for public transportation; Delta Electronics, which manufactures charging solutions for electric cars; or Fortum, an alternative energy company developing biomass energy generation.

Protect Aquatic Life and Environments

Your investments can support protections for oceans and marine life.

Healthy oceans are essential to human survival. The sea regulates many global systems that make Earth habitable, including weather, freshwater, oxygen, and a significant portion of the food supply.

Corporations can participate in global efforts to regulate and protect marine environments. They can reduce their energy footprints and commit to reducing the use of major pollutants that dramatically impact the health of ocean ecosystems, such as plastics, pesticides, and other chemicals. 

Your portfolio might include stocks like Pepsi, which is working to reduce ocean-polluting packaging; Regeneron, a pharmaceutical company developing hazardous waste management; or ConocoPhillips, an energy company increasing the safety of its vessels.

Protect Life on Land

Your investments can support protections for land-based plant and animal life.

Exploitative production practices and increased demand for unsustainable products drive economic and environmental collapse. Without biodiversity and healthy ecosystems, the Earth cannot continue to sustain its human population. 

Corporations can commit to environmentally responsible practices, including reducing their environmental footprint, ensuring that all links in their supply chain use sustainable production methods, relying on green energy, and prioritizing recycling and the use of renewable materials.

Your portfolio might include stocks like GFL Environmental, which removes contaminants from soil; Grafton Group, which manufactures products from sustainably harvested timber; or Hennes & Mauritz (H&M), a clothing company that uses sustainably produced organic cotton.

Safeguard Peace

You can invest in companies that promote peaceful, just, and inclusive societies worldwide.

The ability to live a life free of war, conflict, and insecurity is a fundamental human right.

Corporations must be accountable for their behavior in conflict areas. They must collaborate with local governments and NGOs to develop ethical business practices that do not exacerbate or exploit existing conflicts. They can promote inclusion, diversity, and well-being within their institutions and supply chains. They can also promote justice and functioning systems that provide protections for migrants and refugees.

Your portfolio might include stocks like International Finance Corporation, a bank that invests in vulnerable and conflict-prone regions; Sherwin-Williams, a paint company; Prologis, a real estate investment company; and ServiceNow, a software company working on crime prevention solutions.

Promote infrastructure resilience

You can support infrastructure resilience by investing in companies that improve sustainable infrastructure solutions worldwide.

Innovative infrastructure solutions are crucial to addressing a range of global challenges, including economic stagnation, climate change, and social inequity. The COVID-19 pandemic and the increasing effects of climate-change-driven catastrophic weather events have made clear the need for resilient, resourceful, and sustainable community infrastructure. 

Corporations can work to establish industry-wide standards for sustainability and responsible corporate behavior. They can collaborate with NGOs in infrastructure-poor communities to enhance economic opportunities and sustainable development. They can ensure sustainable practices internally and throughout all levels of their supply chains, and ensure that sustainability is a critical component in all aspects of their growth.

Your portfolio might include stocks like ABB India, a company that designs infrastructure for trains and electric vehicles; AECOM, a company that builds infrastructure for public transportation; or Central Japan Railway Co., which is increasing the use of sustainable fuels for public trains and other transportation.