Economic Social Criteria Investment Screens

Community Economic Development Social Criteria Screen

Authority: The ELCA, from its predecessor church bodies through the present, has a legacy of investing in communities. Our deep concern for those affected adversely by our economy is most clearly articulated in Sufficient Sustainable Livelihood for All.

Wording of the Screen: The ELCA seeks investment in for-profit and not-for-profit organizations which promote the economic development of urban and rural communities and neighborhoods characterized by a high proportion of poor people and/or people of color.

Definition of Problem: The field of community economic development or positive investing continues to grow both domestically and internationally especially through micro-finance loans. The desire is to maximize the flow of investment capital into projects that otherwise might not obtain sufficient capital to contribute to community economic development.
 
Recognizing that various investors will implement this along a continuum, such investments might include, but are not limited to, low-income housing, job creation and  training, social services, public health, food and agriculture, infrastructure, community entrepreneurship, small business development and financial services.

Social policy and studies:
Sufficient Sustainable Livelihood for All
http://www.elca.org/socialstatements/economiclife/