For a long time, financial success was measured by one thing: returns. How much money your investments made—full stop. There wasn’t much attention paid to how those returns were generated, or what kind of impact they had on people, communities, or the planet. That created a dilemma for me—and for many others. How do you grow wealth and plan for retirement when the traditional investment path can mean supporting companies whose practices clash with your values?
That’s why I’m so grateful—and honestly, inspired—to be part of the Socially Responsible Impact Investing (SRI) movement, which is actively rewriting the rules. SRI investing is about more than just financial performance. It’s about intentionally seeking positive social and environmental outcomes alongside strong returns. At its core, SRI is a way to hold companies accountable for their actions and redirect capital toward more ethical, sustainable outcomes. And here’s the good news—you don’t have to give up competitive returns to invest with your values. SRI strategies can deliver strong performance and meaningful impact.
But does it actually work? Is SRI really moving the needle on the urgent issues we face?
According to the US Sustainable Investing Forum (US SIF), as of early 2024, over $6.5 trillion in U.S. assets are managed using sustainable investment strategies. That’s 12% of all U.S. assets under management. This is not fringe. This is real capital shifting behavior—financing innovation, supporting underserved communities, and nudging corporations toward responsibility.
When you invest through an SRI-focused firm, you’re doing more than making a financial decision—you’re making a values-aligned statement. You’re saying, “I believe we can do better—and I want my money to reflect that.”
And let’s be honest: if SRI wasn’t making an impact, we wouldn’t be seeing the political backlash we are today. The fact that some politicians and judges are working hard to undermine SRI and ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) investing shows just how disruptive this movement has become. Resistance is often the clearest sign of progress. Working with an SRI firm also means joining a community of professionals deeply committed to change. People who are relentlessly researching opportunities, doing rigorous due diligence, and raising the bar for what corporate responsibility can—and should—look like.
At Horizons Sustainable Financial Services, we’re proud to be part of that effort. Our 2024 Impact Report shares what we’ve accomplished this year, and how we’re continuing to push the envelope.
Curious to learn more about how SRI plays out in real life? I recently sat down with Johann Klaassen, our CEO and CIO, for a wide-ranging conversation on all things sustainable investing. In the interview, Johann breaks down SRI principles, challenges the myth that sustainability requires sacrificing returns, and explores how the intergenerational wealth transfer is reshaping the future of investing. (Fun fact: Johann has a background in philosophy, which brings a uniquely thoughtful lens to how we work with clients.)