23 Sep 2025
What financial advisors should know
If you’ve had clients asking about proxy voting in Catholic or other non-denominational fund companies lately, you’re not alone. It’s been in the news, and was even the focus of a recent episode of The World and Everything In It on September 9, 2025.
That particular episode zooms in on Catholic funds, but the conversation opens the door to something bigger: how faith-based investment firms—Catholic and otherwise—are approaching proxy voting in today’s environment. If you don’t have time to listen, here’s what you should know.
Wait, what is proxy voting again?
In short: proxy voting is how shareholders cast votes on company matters—like board members or shareholder proposals—without having to attend meetings in person.
For faith-based funds, including Catholic and non-denominational Christian options, proxy voting is about more than just governance. These funds follow specific guidelines to make sure their votes reflect their values—whether that’s Catholic Social Teaching or broader Christian principles tied to ethics, human dignity, or stewardship.
Why it’s getting attention right now
There are a few reasons proxy voting in faith-aligned funds is getting more buzz:
- Investors are paying closer attention. More shareholders want their investments to reflect their beliefs—and that includes how their funds vote on their behalf.
- Approaches vary. Even within the faith-based space, there’s a wide range of opinions about when and how to vote on certain issues.
- The topics aren’t always obvious. For example, light pollution—a topic that may not seem directly faith-related but reflects broader concerns about environmental stewardship and human well-being—can come up as a proxy vote issue.
What this means for advisors
Clients may have questions, and it helps to be ready:
- Know the fund’s framework. Understand which advisory firms or theological guidelines the fund follows when casting proxy votes.
- Clarify the process. Proxy voting is typically guided by consistent, principled frameworks—not individual whims or politically charged agendas.
- Stay informed. Even if you’re not giving an opinion, being up to speed on the broader conversation helps you provide clarity and context to clients.
Bottom line
Proxy voting in faith-based funds isn’t just procedural—it reflects deeper conversations about values, ethics, and shareholder engagement. Whether your client is invested in Catholic funds or another faith-aligned strategy, being able to explain how proxy voting works helps them see how their investments connect to their beliefs.
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