RECAP: Our Quarterly Forum – The FCI Journey into Impact!

At our September 2025 Quarterly FCI Forum we addressed the process and paths by which faith-based asset owning institutions can become active in impact investing. Led by FaithInvest Executive Chair Dave Zellner, our three panelists discussed the journeys taken by their respective organisations to this essential area of "intentional investing" that sits within the broader umbrella of faith-consistent investing.

We extend our grateful appreciation to Sylvia Poniecki, Director of Impact Investments at Wespath Benefits and Investments, Theresa Robinson, the Executive Director of the Raskob Foundation, and Christopher Rowe, CFA, the Managing Director of Investments at The Church Pension Fund.  

The panelists brought a range of perspectives from their organisations' three faith traditions – Methodist, Catholic, and Episcopal – with some having conducted impact investing for many years, others having begun more recently. All the panelists addressed one of the fundamental challenges of FCI: the perceived tension between doing well financially and doing good through their organisation's investments, and all were able to describe successes in bringing their faith values to bear in the selection of market rate impact investments.

In a wide-ranging conversation, the panelists talked about topics and issues such as: the initial catalysts for their organisations to move to impact; some of the obstacles they had to overcome; the kinds of advice and assistance they sought and received to help begin their journeys; and the plans they have for the future.

Examples of the messages we heard included:

• The need for an integrated approach internally so that faith values can be expressed and ultimately acted upon though effective governance structures that are in place to advance faith-based investing.

• That impact investments are selected in the context of broader portfolio construction and the multiple asset classes represented there.

• The value of engaging with other impact investors and the broader impact community as a source of encouragement and insight to progress on the journey.

• The essential role of faith. As Theresa shared, 'early on in the process, we stopped to discern what our values really were, how we wanted to live them out in our portfolio, and to be able to build from our values first, not try to build backwards into our values'.

  
  

If you missed this lively discussion or wish to revisit some of many topics discussed, a full recording of the Forum can be found by clicking the button below.

Wherever your organisation is on its FCI journey, FaithInvest stands ready to support you with insights and resources, including our free and confidential Investment Policy and Guidelines assessment service. Contact us with your questions and comments at info@faithinvest.org.

Disclaimer

FaithInvest is an international nonprofit organisation that empowers faith groups to invest in line with their beliefs and values. FaithInvest is not authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority and does not provide financial or investment advice. Information provided on FaithInvest’s website or its other communication channels does not constitute financial or investment advice. If you wish to receive any form of financial or investment advice, please consult a qualified and independent financial advisor. You should conduct your own due diligence in relation to any investment opportunities or strategies you choose to pursue. FaithInvest does not promote any specific investments or opportunities and cannot therefore accept responsibility for any specific financial or investment decisions you make following participation on its website platform. For more information please visit FaithInvest.org.