UCF Introduces Just World Fund

NEW YORK - July 5, 2019 - PRLog -- United Church Funds (UCF), a leading provider of investment management to churches and faith-based organizations, today announced the launch of the Just World Fund, a fixed income impact fund that will enable churches and faith-based organizations to leverage their investable assets to address global economic justice, fair housing, human rights to water and nutrition, and solutions for environmental security. Founding investors of the fund are the United Church of Christ's (UCC) Covenanted Ministries, UCC Church Building & Loan Fund and UCC Cornerstone Fund.

The Just World Fund seeks to balance healthy fixed income returns and optimize social impacts and will utilize domestic and global investment vehicles that invest in Community Development Finance Institutions, microfinance institutions and small-to-medium enterprises.

Charles Buck, UCF President & CEO, said, "We are proud to introduce the Just World Fund, which will allow churches and faith-based institutions to help create a permanent and meaningful impact in communities and around the globe. UCF is answering the call for transformative economies by creating a fund that is solutions-based, addressing human rights, the integrity of creation and financial stewardship."

John Dorhauer, UCC's General Minister and President, said, "The concept of investing for outcomes is not new and has been in the faith-based lexicon for 30 years. The UCC has been part of this conversation since at least General Synod Seventeen, which encouraged national bodies, conferences, associations and local churches to invest with groups involved in social and economic development projects."

"The UCC is very pleased with the introduction of Just World Fund, as it is in line with our missional focus of the Three Great Loves. UCF, as a financial ministry of the UCC, has responded to our socially responsible investing calling without threatening the health of our invested assets," added Mr. Dorhauer.

The Just World Fund chooses managers that identify third-party finance institutions, in the U.S. and in the developing world, who provide responsible funding opportunities for small to medium enterprises. After an extensive search, UCF selected Community Capital Management, Community Investment Management, MicroVest and Global Partnerships as the fund's introductory managers.

"One of the ways the Just World Fund is different is that it will publicize the good news of the outcomes of the underlying investments: Clients in this fund will receive an annual impact report. United Church Funds believes that investments of this type can be a complement to our responsible investing strategies, deepening an organization's ability to align values and mission to their investments," said Mr. Buck.

To learn more about the Just World Fund, please visit: https://ucfunds.org/justworldfund/

About United Church Funds

Established in 1909 to administer the Pilgrim Memorial Fund for the benefit of retired pastors, United Church Funds (UCF) has evolved into a full-service investment manager with over $850 million of assets under management. Today, UCF is the leading provider of investment management and planned giving services to the United Church of Christ churches and ministries and serves faith-based organizations beyond UCC. UCF offers socially responsible investment funds designed to help faith-based organizations grow and preserve their financial legacies. Learn more at https://ucfunds.org/