Socially Responsible Investing #ForNature

World Environment Day falls on June 5. In commemoration, UCF is proud to share the partnerships we have forged, the work that we have accomplished and the progress of our initiatives to help address environmental issues. Read our initiatives, from our launch of the Beyond Fossil Fuels Fund to our response in addressing the climate crisis. 

AbbVie Shareholders Support Resolution on Link between Drug Price and Executive Pay

Today, 23.9% of voting shareholders of AbbVie, a U.S. pharmaceutical company, supported a United Church Funds-led shareholder resolution to report on the “feasibility of incorporating public concern over high drug price into the senior executive compensation arrangement.” 

UCF’s Shareholder Resolution for Gilead Sciences Receives 43.4% Support

United Church Funds is proud to have coordinated a shareholder resolution with Gilead Sciences, Inc. that received 43.4% support at Gilead’s annual general meeting on May 6, 2020. The resolution requested the company to separate the position of the Chair of the Board from the CEO position.

Investors Urge Pharma Companies to Work Collaboratively on COVID-19 Response

United Church Funds, along with investor members of the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility, sent letters to the CEOs of 14 pharmaceutical companies, calling for a collaborative approach in the development of health technologies, including diagnostics, treatments and a vaccine in the global fight against COVID-19.

Principles for Responsible Investment Conference Highlights

UCF attended the PRI in Person event last September. As a signatory, UCF commits to incorporating ESG issues into our investment policy, analysis and decision-making. Learn more about what happened during the PRI in Person in this article.

Investors’ Role in Combatting the Climate Crisis Emphasized at UN Climate Week, PRI in Person Event

United Church Funds recently took part in two significant events – the UN Climate Week as well as the PRI in Person Event. The new concepts and frameworks that the PRI in Person and the UN Climate Week provided will arm us with the implements to continue to improve our own climate response and responsible investing platform.

Creating a Just World Through Values-aligned Investing

In light of the UNGA meeting, UCF is pleased to share some of the work we have accomplished to support the UN Sustainable Development Goals to guide the international community in common pursuit of solving the world’s problems. UCF has contributed to the positive outcomes of several global goals using our core socially responsible investing strategies of engagement, asset alignment and innovative product offerings.

SunTrust Bank to Stop Financing Private Prisons

United Church Funds, a leading provider of investment management to churches and faith-based organizations, commends SunTrust Bank for its decision to stop future financing of the private prison and detention industries.

UCF Celebrates Bank of America’s Decision to Stop Financing Private Prisons

Just days after General Synod decried the private prison industry, United Church Funds is celebrating its part in the decision Bank of America has made to stop its financing of the industry.

Recognizing Opioid Addiction as a Health Epidemic

On June 22, Katie McCloskey, UCF Director of Social Responsibility, delivered a speech at the 2019 General Synod to introduce the Opioid Epidemic resolution. After her address, the resolution passed overwhelmingly.