A recent Catholic News Service article (see below) summarizes the findings of a survey conducted by Boston-based Catholic Investment Services. In part, the article states that “87% of respondents would be more likely to donate to Catholic institutions if they knew the money would be invested in ways consistent with Church teaching and values.”

We, at the Catholic Community Foundation of Minnesota (CCF), echo these findings. And we know that many local parishes do, too. In fact, because of our commitment to faith-consistent investment practices, 135 of the 186 parishes in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis have entrusted their financial assets to the faithful stewardship of CCF. For this reason, many local Catholics can feel confident that donations made to their parishes are ethically invested in accordance with their faith.

CCF has long worked to put into practice Christ’s words: Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. We also believe the reverse is true: Where your heart is, there your treasure should be. If your heart is with the Church and her teachings, then your investments should reflect that stance.

Because of that belief, CCF has implemented all three of the strategies outlined by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Socially Responsible Investment Guidelines: 1. Do No Harm, 2. Active Corporate Participation, and 3. Positive Strategies that Promote the Common Good.

Following the first strategy, Do No Harm, CCF has developed a screening process that has helped us to identify and avoid more than 100 U.S. and 300 foreign companies in our investment portfolio because of engagement in activities that are antithetical to Church teaching.

The second strategy, Active Corporate Participation, calls for shareholders to exercise their rights in advocating for just business practices. For this, CCF partners with a Catholic-based consulting group that advises on $4.2 billion in assets to help shareholders practice corporate engagement. Monitoring corporate activity, voting proxies, meeting in person with executives and sending formal letter campaigns are all part of corporate engagement.

The third strategy, Positive Strategies that Promote the Common Good, is more commonly known as impact investing. CCF invests in several impact funds that seek a social return as well as a financial return. As an example, CCF invests in CommonBond Communities’ Housing Opportunity Fund, which helps secure affordable housing for working people in Minnesota and across the Midwest with low to moderate income who struggle to obtain housing.

In addition to supporting parishes, CCF serves Catholic individuals and families by facilitating their philanthropy. Endowments and donor advised funds are popular charitable giving vehicles, and CCF also invests these funds in a faith-consistent manner.

We are grateful to partner with Catholic institutions and individuals who want to align their treasure with their Catholic values. Together, we’re building a more vibrant Catholic community.

Ricci is the Catholic Community Foundation’s director of Professional Outreach and Investments.