All FFC investments are guided by traditional Quaker values and testimonies. We embrace the widely held concern of Friends that investments be in businesses which serve a beneficial purpose in a well-ordered society. We review a company’s products, management, employment and personnel practices, environmental practices, respect for human rights, community relations or conservation of natural resources. We invest in most sectors of the economy and seek companies that are above-average corporate citizens.
We will make no investment in weapons contractors or sub-contractors. However, off-the-shelf civilian products sold to the Department of Defense are not considered weapons components. Companies will also be excluded that operate gambling casinos or obtain their business from the production of alcohol, tobacco or firearms.
International companies face complex issues arising from the diverse cultures and political and economic settings in which they operate. These include: human rights, just wages and safe working conditions, child labor, forced labor freedom of association, and the environment. We favor companies that have adopted codes of conduct to guide their policies, programs and operations. Notwithstanding our chosen investment options, Quaker testaments and values guide our security investment activity in three primary ways:
We actively screen for companies that meet our social responsibility investment criteria.
We deliberately vote our shareholder ownership proxies in a manner that will communicate our Quaker values on financial and social issues to corporate management. Our specific intentions are stated in “Proxy Voting Policy Guidelines.” These guidelines provide an overview of how Friends Fiduciary intends to vote its proxies on most issues and are reviewed on an annual basis in order to update them as new social and corporate governance issues arise.
From time to time, we join or may file shareholder resolutions that voice our concerns and interests to corporate management.
