The Social Investment Forum has posted a list of thoughtful answers to the “Top 10 Questions about SRI.” I especially like SIF’s responses to some skeptical questions about our industry, such as:

Is the performance of SRI funds competitive with mainstream funds and with their benchmarks?

What evidence is there that SRI shareholder resolutions have an impact?

Is there growing demand among individual and institutional investors for SRI products? What is driving that demand?

Answers to these and the rest of the “Top 10” are presented at the SIF site. Their taxonomy of “the major elements” of SRI, which addresses misconceptions about “screening” of funds and portfolios, is especially salient to KLD’s work.

To build on SIF’s answers (click to download pdf), here are some links to relevant KLD Blog articles (in quotes below, with month of publication) and other resources.

SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE INVESTING:
SIF’S TOP 10 QUESTIONS

1. How large is the socially responsible investing (SRI) marketplace? Is it growing? Where is the growth taking place?

“Reflections on 20 Years of KLD: New Retrospective Includes Interviews with SRI Leaders, Historical Timeline” [December, 2008]

“SRI in the Rockies: Perspectives on Social Investing and the Global Economy” [November, 2008]

2. What are the major elements of socially responsible investing?

KLD Resource Guide

Socially Responsible Investing Facts [from SIF]

3. Is the performance of SRI funds competitive with mainstream funds and with their benchmarks?

“Time for Financial Markets to Tell the Truth about the Real Economy: A Review of ‘Sustainable Investing’ by Cary Krosinsky and Nick Robins” [January, 2009]

“The Wages of Social Responsibility: 2008 Moskowitz Prize-Winning Research Paper Studies Long-term SRI Performance” [December, 2008]

4. What are responsible investors doing to invest in clean energy?

“Investors Join State, Federal Push for Cleaner Cars: Ceres Publishes New Emissions Reporting Guidelines” [March, 2009]

“Financial Times on ‘Green Giants’: Clean-Tech Leaders Capitalize on Sustainability” [December, 2008]

5. What new products are there in the world of SRI?

“Pax World, World Bank, KLD Introduce the Global Women Investment Index” [March, 2009]

KLD Indexes Updates, Reconstitutes Global Sustainability Index (GSI) series

TIAA-CREF Expands its Community Bank Deposit Investment Program

6. What evidence is there that SRI shareholder resolutions have an impact?

“A Win for Investors Against Genocide: Vanguard Commits to Human Rights Disclosure” [March, 2009]

“Ethical Pressure on the Global Supply Chain: The Principles for Responsible Investment and the Ethical Trading Initiative” [January, 2009]

“Another ICCR Early Warning Takes Hold: Wal-Mart to Revise Standards for Suppliers” [October, 2008]

Shareholder Advocacy Success Stories [pdf from SIF]

7. What are the major trends in SRI shareholder advocacy?

“Active Ownership Can Help Stop Market Failures: New PRI Board Statement Calls for Responsible Investment” [March, 2009]

“For a Greener Apple: As You Sow Seeks Better Sustainability Reporting” [January, 2009]

“Investors’ Letter to President-elect Obama Urges Better Corporate Risk Disclosure, Protection of Shareholders’ Rights” [December, 2008]

8. Who are socially responsible investors?

“Socially Responsible Investing”: An Evolving Concept in a Changing World [White Paper by Peter D. Kinder]

9. Is there growing demand among individual and institutional investors for SRI products? What is driving that demand?

“‘SRI is Thinking Ahead’: Nobel Winner Joseph Stiglitz on Investing, Regulation, and Corporate Governance” [February, 2009]

“FA Green: New Sustainable Investing Site for Financial Advisors” [February, 2009]

“Saving Responsibly for College: Oregon Considers Socially Responsible 529 Option, Joining California and Others” [August, 2008]

10. How can SRI investors find products and information about socially responsible investing?

“‘Compelling Returns’ Makes Compelling Reading: A Review of Scott J. Budde’s new ‘Practical Guide to Socially Responsible Investing’” [September, 2008]

Social Funds

Social Investment Forum

Thanks to SIF’s Kristin Lang for her assistance.