Why We Screen
Providing faith-based mutual funds for the faith-based investor.
The call to engage in screened investing.
Screening is the critical first step.
As Christians, we are called to let our light shine through our thoughts, words and actions — a calling we hold fast to every day. This desire to be a witness impacts everything we do as an organization, including the makeup of our Fund holdings.
Because we believe in holding fast to our ideals, several decades ago GuideStone Funds® implemented an investment policy to uphold our biblical values through the support of the sanctity of life, family, stewardship, health and safety. Therefore, GuideStone Funds does not invest in any company that is publicly recognized as being in the alcohol, tobacco, gambling, pornography or abortion industries or any company whose products, services or activities are publicly recognized as being incompatible with the moral and ethical posture of GuideStone®.
Empower real change.
Advocacy is the next step.
GuideStone doesn’t stop with screening, because avoiding an investment doesn’t solely influence change. We think of screening like making a choice not to shop at a store. While the business may not flourish as much if you don’t shop there, a better tactic might be to engage the owners of the store to effect change.
By advocating for the faith-based values of life, family, stewardship, health and safety, we represent our investors by influencing companies to enact authentic, positive business change. We want to be an engaged shareholder who takes a proactive interest in understanding the how and why of companies whose values may not fully align with our own.
We advocate for our shareholders through letter writing and corporate dialogue, bringing issues to the attention of companies. This allows them to state their current positions and express future intentions on perceived issues.
By investing in GuideStone Funds, you too can take a stand for:
LIFE
You can take a stand for the rights of those who cannot speak for themselves, whether it be a hurting mother or newly conceived child.
FAMILY
You can take a stand for the thousands of innocent children who are corrupted due to human trafficking and the brokenhearted men and women struggling with their self-worth due to the pornography industry.
STEWARDSHIP
You can take a stand for those struggling with a gambling addiction that carries an estimated social cost of $7 billion as a direct result of crime, bankruptcy and cross-addiction.1
HEALTH
You can take a stand for those who struggle with tobacco use that destroys their bodies with harmful toxins and causes one in every three cancer deaths.2
SAFETY
You can take a stand for the 17.6 million Americans who suffer from alcohol dependence3 and cause one in every three motor vehicle crash deaths in the U.S.4
ADVOCACY
Let us take a stand for you and be light to these companies: “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden” (Matthew 5:14).
Can investors have Performance + Values?
Download White PaperThe Negative Performance Myth
The misperception with faith-based mutual funds is that performance must be sacrificed to effectively align investments with values.
SRI funds outperform the global fund universe.
43.8% of socially conscious funds are 4 and 5 star rated by Morningstar compared to 40.3% of the global fund universe.
Guidestone is part of this positive performance.
Click here to see how Morningstar rates Guidestone Funds®
Advocate for your values with faith- based investments. Add Guidestone Funds to your portfolio today.
Source: Morningstar Direct as of 09/30/2020
Methodology: The data was pulled from a global fund universe of all mutual funds including all share classes through Morningstar Direct. Socially conscious funds were identified and the universe was further reduced to the oldest share class in order to eliminate duplicative entries.
The Socially Conscious Funds category may make investments based on such issues as environmental responsibility, human rights or religious views. A socially conscious fund may take a proactive stance by selectively investing in, for example, environmentally friendly companies or firms with good employee relations. This list also includes funds that may avoid investing in companies in the defense industry or companies involved in promoting alcohol, tobacco or gambling. The Global Fund Universe category is made up of non-socially conscious open-ended U.S. mutual funds.
©Morningstar 2020. All rights reserved. Use of this content requires expert knowledge. It is to be used by specialist institutions only. The information contained herein: (1) is proprietary to Morningstar and/or its content providers; (2) may not be copied, adapted or distributed; and (3) is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. Neither Morningstar nor its content providers are responsible for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information, except where such damages or losses cannot be limited or excluded by law in your jurisdiction. Past financial performance is no guarantee of future results.
Insights from the nation’s largest faith-based mutual fund family.6
Media, market commentary and resources from a Christian perspective.
GuideStone Capital Management® provides regular insights on market performance, portfolio perspectives and our own GuideStone faith-based mutual funds. Visit the pages provided below for videos and other resources designed to keep you informed.
COMMENTARY
Quarterly market updates and insights from GuideStone investment advisors
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FAITH-BASED INVESTING
Perspectives and conversations with GuideStone about faith-based investing
Learn MoreHow can we serve you?
Rethink your perspective on faith-based investing.
Leverage the nation's largest faith-based mutual fund family.6
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