Podcast: Is Your Christian Organization Supporting Activities That Are Antithetical to Your Faith?

Are Your Investments Aligned with Your Faith?

Many nonprofit organizations accumulate assets for long-term investments, such as endowments and portfolio funds. While these mission-driven organizations would never openly support businesses profiting from pornography, gambling, abortion pills, or other activities contrary to Christian values, they may unknowingly be investing in these very industries.

By deploying investment capital into broad index mutual funds or similar vehicles, ministries and nonprofits may see healthy returns. But should they be profiting from businesses that operate against their faith principles? If your nonprofit invests without considering the activities of the companies it supports, it may be time to reconsider.

Christian organizations can invest in ways that honor their values while still fulfilling fiduciary duties to maximize long-term, risk-adjusted returns. Faith-based investing allows ministries to express their mission not only in day-to-day operations but also in how they steward financial resources.

Meet Our Guest: Douglas R. MacGray. Doug is an experienced financial planner and passionate advocate for faith Driven investing. His journey began as a missionary in Micronesia, where he taught in a Christian boys’ boarding school and supported local church outreach.

As an attorney, Doug practiced law in Delaware for over a decade, specializing in estate planning and advising nonprofit organizations. He later transitioned into financial planning, obtaining his Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation and acquiring a financial planning company. Today, he is the sole owner of Stonecrop Wealth Advisors, a fee-only Registered Investment Advisor.

Doug works with nearly 200 families and individuals, with about 20% of his business dedicated to nonprofit ministries, including Christian higher education institutions, churches, and other faith-based organizations.

Faith, Service and Health

• Board member at Gordon College, a Christian institution in Massachusetts
• Former board member at a Christian seminary and K-12 school
• Volunteer supporter of Edify, an international nonprofit supporting Christian K-12 schools in Latin America and Africa
• Has traveled to Uganda, the Dominican Republic, and Panama to support faith-based education initiatives
• Training to run two marathons in 2025

Join host Mark Griffin as he navigates the following key discussion points with his guest Doug MacGray.

1. Hidden Risks in Traditional Investments
   • Many nonprofits unknowingly invest in companies engaging in activities that contradict their faith.
   • Understanding how mutual funds allocate capital is crucial for aligning investments with Christian values.
2. Faith-Based Investing: A Responsible Alternative
   • Nonprofits can structure their investment strategies to uphold Christian principles.
   • Strategies exist to ensure strong financial returns while honoring faith commitments.
3. Practical Steps to Align Investments with Mission
   • How organizations can conduct an investment audit.
   • Resources and advisors available to help nonprofits transition to faith-aligned investing.

Call to Action

If you serve on the board of a nonprofit, work in Christian higher education, or manage a ministry’s finances, now is the time to assess your organization’s investment strategy. Faith-based investing is a powerful way to ensure that your financial resources reflect your values.

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Mark A. Griffin is president and founder of IHN HR. Connect with him on LinkedIn and Twitter.