A recent visit to lawmakers’ offices in Washington, D.C. by United Church Funds (UCF) staffers highlights the growing role of strategic advocacy as a tool of engagement that UCF is employing in response to political attacks on sustainable and responsible investors.
In 2024, UCF was among the over 130 asset owners and managers receiving letters from Congressman Jim Jordan (R-OH) and Congressman Thomas Massie (R-KY), accusing them of “colluding with climate activists.” In response, President and CEO Charles Buck reaffirmed UCF’s dual mandate of offering competitive returns for UCF’s clients while also seeking a just and sustainable world. This event, alongside a broader wave of political scrutiny facing responsible investors, has affirmed UCF’s decision to elevate strategic advocacy as an essential tool in addressing systemic risks and creating a lasting and positive change that aligns with the values of responsible investing.
Noah Tabor and Matthew Illian of UCF alongside Rev. Michael Neuroth of the UCC Public Policy and Advocacy Office
Matthew Illian, Director of Responsible Investing, said: “As a responsible steward of our client’s assets, we have always supported efforts to protect the rights of faith-based investors. In the current climate, we believe UCF has an important opportunity to play a leadership role and be a changemaker in shaping both public opinion and public policy to create a more sustainable and just world for all.”
As part of its strategic advocacy effort, UCF recently participated in high-level meetings on Capitol Hill alongside partners from the United Church of Christ’s Washington, D.C. Office and the U.S. Sustainable Investment Forum (US SIF). Despite busy schedules and a wide range of important issues on the political agenda, UCF was honored to be welcomed into dialogue with the offices of national leaders of both parties and chambers, including Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-NY), House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Jamie Raskin (D-MD), Representative Ashley Hinson (R-IA) and Representative Sean Casten (D-IL).
Noah Tabor, UCF’s General Counsel, said: “Strategic public policy advocacy is a critical extension of our responsible investing tools for building a just and sustainable world. Our advocacy work aims to support legislative and regulatory solutions that address the root causes of injustice, including the climate crisis, systemic racism and threats to human and Indigenous rights.”
With this focus on strategic advocacy, UCF reaffirms its role not just as an investor, but as a changemaker, working alongside its clients, partners, like-minded investors and communities to create a more just world for all.
Download the press release in PDF.