The bond fund that shows up on Main Street

Stewardship, not just screening

Praxis, operated by Everence, calls its philosophy "stewardship investing": returns that are financially productive and reflective of God's care for people and creation. Its equity funds begin from benchmark indices, apply values and risk screens, then optimize back toward benchmark-level performance.

Its flagship bond fund goes further. Instead of simply avoiding harm, it hunts for bonds tied to measurable good.

Where the money lands

Praxis directs roughly one percent of mutual fund assets into high-impact community development investments through partners like Calvert Impact and Capital Impact Partners. In one recent half-year that meant $1.64 million of new community investments and $55 million of positive impact bond purchases.

One of those partners is Ascendus, a national community lender to small-business owners in low- and moderate-income neighborhoods. In 2023, Ascendus deployed $59 million to 1,348 small businesses, helping create or retain more than 3,700 jobs. Entrepreneurs of color made up 83% of its clients.

A separate $1 million placement in Calvert Impact's Cut Carbon Note financed efficiency upgrades for commercial buildings. Investments through the Forest Resilience Bond helped restore 2,675 acres of forest in California's North Yuba River watershed — reducing wildfire risk and sustaining local jobs.

The vote you never see

Screening is the visible part of faith-based investing. Proxy voting is the invisible part. Praxis cast nearly 18,000 proxy votes in a single year and backed three advocacy initiatives directed at the SEC, the U.S. government, and the House of Representatives.

Every share you own carries a vote. Someone is casting it. The only question is whether it is being cast on your convictions.