With the new year brings a time of reflection and a renewed sense of purpose. What can we do to make an impact this year? What can we do to better this world, not only for ourselves but for those around us?
When it comes to your finances, both personally and in business, taking a moment to consider your values and how you might be able to reflect those values into your investment strategy may be a good place to start.
Katie Geery
One of the values we hold most dear at our practice, Rise Private Wealth Management, is philanthropy. To that end, we made a commitment in 2024 to invest our dollars into organizations that made a significant impact on our community. At the end of 2024, we were proud to present Family Promise of Southern New Hampshire, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to end homelessness one family at a time, with a $20,000 donation to help further a building renovation project that will house nine families in need. We were able to do this through careful planning, research and consideration. Utilizing tax incentives in conjunction with the state of New Hampshire allowed us the opportunity to see these funds go farther and use our values as a guide for our investment strategy.
We were so proud to make this contribution to Family Promise and cannot wait to see the impact these dollars have on our community. If charitable giving is a value you or your organization hold dear, there are ways to maximize your dollars and implement a plan to use them to make a difference in your community. Speaking to your financial advisor or tax advisor is a great first step in finding ways to include these types of contributions into your personal or business financial planning strategy.
Another area where individuals, businesses and nonprofit organizations can make an impact is through their investment strategies. Investing with your values is a great way to bring about change in areas you are passionate about.
Examples of this may involve prioritizing particular investments that emphasize the fair treatment of workers and stakeholders. Environmental sustainability is another factor that can be used as a guide. Does the company produce renewable energy? Do they employ a safer, more environmentally friendly transport of commodities or goods? Do they do business with other companies or countries that promote the values you believe in? Does the company’s overall mission help make a difference in the world? It can be important for individuals, businesses and nonprofit organizations alike to evaluate if their investment strategies align with their overall mission statement and core values.
Investing with your values is a deeply personal and individualized approach to your finances. Whether your goal is to maximize your dollars and take advantage of tax incentives to make charitable contributions that can make a difference in the communities in which you live and work, or tailoring your investment strategy using a values-based lens. There is no “one size fits all” strategy, and there are many factors that should be considered when making financial decisions personally or for your business. Be sure to speak to a trusted financial advisor to learn more about how you can incorporate your values into your overall wealth management strategy.
Katie Geery, MBA, CFP, APMA, CRPC, is a financial advisor and certified financial planner practitioner with Rise Private Wealth Management, a private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC in Bedford, NH. She specializes in fee-based financial planning and asset management strategies and has been in practice for 5 years. Learn more at ameripriseadvisors.com/katie.geery.
