Whether we or our faith communities are investing a few dollars or millions, we can, with a little outside help and some of our own insights, advance our values through those investments.
An action aimed at Walgreens took center stage last week as the Presbyterian Committee on Mission Responsibility Through Investment (MRTI) continued its efforts to persuade the company to bring its practices in line with Presbyterian policy on the issue of reproductive health access.
Let’s celebrate 50 years of MRTI!
Half a century ago, Mission Responsibility Through Investment (MRTI) was created in recognition of the church’s unique opportunity to advance its mission faithfully and creatively through the financial resources entrusted to it. MRTI implements the General Assembly’s policies on socially responsible investing (also called faith-based investing) by engaging corporations in which the church owns stock.
This year, in recognition of its 50th anniversary, the team worked diligently to create a resource book, “Reflections on 50 Years of the Presbyterian Church as Investor,” to help document what has been done and help future committee members serve effectively.
As June drew to a close, leaders from the committee tasked with responsible investment for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) report a productive season with several notable achievements.
A half-hour Facebook Live broadcast highlighting Mission Responsibility Through Investment served to both look back at how socially-responsible corporate engagement efforts are helping to reduce climate change and look ahead at what’s in store during the 225th General Assembly.
The Presbyterian Committee on Mission Responsibility Through Investment (MRTI) is part of an investors group that successfully persuaded Tyson Foods to conduct a racial equity audit.
The Presbyterian Committee on Mission Responsibility Through Investment (MRTI) voted at its Oct. 11 meeting to expand the criteria for recommending companies be placed on the General Assembly’s divestment/proscription list.
In response to a directive from the 222nd General Assembly, in 2017 the Presbyterian Committee on Mission Responsibility Through Investment (MRTI) established a set of guideline metrics to evaluate companies the committee was engaging with according to General Assembly policy on environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues.
New Covenant Trust Company will start utilizing new positive and negative screening tools to assist investors who want their investments to align with their values beginning April 1. These tools will allow New Covenant Trust Company to target investment in companies with a strong record of diversity, equity and inclusion.
