The Impact and Attitude of a Faith Driven InvestorSýnishorn

Investing for Impact

Marc Andreesen once said (something that Warren Buffett has since popularized) that he would invest in a house or a boat but not a houseboat. What he meant was that he wanted to put his money toward an investment (i.e. a house) or give it away to charity (i.e. a boat). His point was that he avoided making impact investments with less than market returns. Faith Driven Investors see a different approach.

Many great investments focused on providing at, or better than, market rates of returns as compared to other, more secular products in their fields. Others have outsized impact in other areas of impact from job creation to discipleship, but might fall short of market financial returns. Faith Driven Investors celebrates both of these groups of investments—we aren’t afraid of investing in excellent houseboats.

Instead of an either/or mentality, we approach investments with a both/and thought process, or a multiple-bottom line mentality as some may call it. This means we search for companies that are a good investment because of the financial, social, and spiritual impact they are making. We don’t believe you have to give up one in order to have the other. In fact, the best investments usually offer you multiple sources of return not at the expense of a Biblical foundation, but because of it.

When we take what God has given us and put it back into the work He is doing on earth, we become an active participant with our Creator. We promote products and services that further human flourishing—not at the expense of a Biblical foundation, but because of it.

• At a time when loneliness and depression are at all-time highs, real estate investors are discovering that “loving your neighbor” through resident chaplaincy is not only a great opportunity for impact but also good for the financial bottom line. 
• Winsome shareholders are becoming known for more than what they are against. They are encouraging the world’s largest publicly traded companies to promote human flourishing… 
• Faith driven entrepreneurs are partnering with like-minded investors to grow redemptive businesses that are intentional about integrating their values in the way they serve their customers and care for their team (b-roll of chaplaincy and ERG communities) 

We believe this is just the beginning. Every day, there are new discoveries of how stewarding God’s resources leads us and others into a stronger relationship with Him.

Further Thought

• What does it mean to you for your investments to have an “impact”?
• What do you think about the idea of a multiple bottom line return? What are the areas you’d like to see your investments getting a return in?
• Why is it important for believers to be aware of all the ways in which their investments have an impact?