For Individuals Using the Services of a Financial Professional
While individuals do not need to work through a financial professional to invest in Shared Interest, many do. Clients of socially responsible financial managers and advisors may need to make these professionals aware that their investment goals include not only risk and return parameters, but also a positive social impact in low-income communities at home and/or abroad. If you would like Shared Interest’s assistance in providing information to your financial manager or advisor, please do not hesitate to contact us. For additional materials about community investing, please contact the Social Investment Forum at www.socialinvest.org.
Community investing is an important complement to other socially responsible investment strategies, the most popular of which are portfolio screening and shareholder advocacy. While investors may choose to use social and environmental criteria to screen their stock portfolios or select responsible mutual funds, or use their status as shareholders to engage in dialogues and vote their proxies to influence corporate behavior — community investing provides a means to put investments to work in building low-income communities with interest.
A growing number of financial professionals are already connecting their clients to opportunities for community investment, which grew in the U.S. by more than $5 billion between 2003 and 2005. They are discovering that it is possible to obtain an acceptable rate of return with minimal to moderate risk, while providing the satisfaction of providing homes, childcare centers, businesses and jobs in underserved areas. The Social Investment Forum is currently coordinating a national campaign for socially responsible individuals and institutions to place One Percent in Community investments, and encouraging financial professionals to learn more about community development banks, credit unions, venture capital funds and loan and funds such as Shared Interest.
Like other pooled funds, Shared Interest is not insured, but Shared Interest maintains a reserve fund to cover risk and Shared Interest has repaid all principal and interest that investors have requested. Shared Interest investors typically renew their investments when they mature, and contribute part of the interest they earn back to the organization. In so doing they receive tax deductions as a result of Shared Interests charitable tax-exempt status. We encourage you to contact us for our Prospectus and to share it with your financial professional.