September 29, 2026

By Steve Beard, CFP, MS  |  Cedar Ridge Planning Partners

Planning for your financial future is about more than just the bottom line—it’s about bringing your whole self to the table. Taking a holistic approach means incorporating your principles to build a portfolio as diverse as your own life story. We work closely with you to deeply understand what matters most, helping you prioritize those beliefs in your financial decisions. 

Investors are faced with a dizzying array of options and you don’t have to navigate them alone. We are here to help you cut through the noise and align your assets with your convictions. You can build a strategy that puts your investments to work for you and supports your values.

Socially responsible investing fits for some investors

Whether you are deeply passionate about environmental sustainability, social justice, or strong corporate governance, a socially responsible investing (SRI) framework offers something for everyone. From young professionals building their first portfolios to retirees looking to leave a positive legacy, this approach can be tailored to fit your unique worldview and financial timeline.

Invest with your values

Investors can choose from a wide variety of SRI and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) funds. Historically, a lower return was the general assumption for values-based investing, as exclusionary screens often narrowed diversification and these funds tended to carry higher expense ratios than broad index funds. However, that’s changed significantly.

Data shows that ESG funds are highly competitive and hold their own against traditional benchmarks:

• Vanguard ESG U.S. Stock ETF (ESGV): Achieved a 5-year annualized return of 11.58% (for the 5-year period ending mid-2026) ⁽¹⁾, outpacing the 9.84% 5-year annualized return of the Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) over the same timeframe ⁽¹⁾.
• Broad Market Comparison: In 2026 (year-to-date through August 2026), ESGV saw a 12.43% YTD return ⁽²⁾, closely trailing the Schwab U.S. Broad Market ETF (SCHB) at 12.64% ⁽²⁾. ESGV screens out industries like tobacco and weapons, yet still leans heavily into broad market drivers like technology, finance, and healthcare.

While future returns are not guaranteed, it’s important to note that investing with your values can be beneficial across a variety of metrics.

Other thematic funds allow you to get even more specific about the impact you want to make. Here are a few that highlight the breadth of your options:

• SHE (SPDR SSGA Gender Diversity Index ETF): Focuses on workplace equality. It delivered a 10-year cumulative return of over 178% (for the 10-year period from 2016 through mid-2026) ⁽³⁾ by investing in companies that lead their sectors in gender diversity and female representation.
• SDG (iShares MSCI Global Impact ETF): Focuses globally on companies advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Because of its global scope, heavy tilt away from U.S. mega-cap tech, and exposure to renewable/industrial sub-sectors, its 5-year annualized return (2021–2026) trails broad U.S.-only ESG funds.
• ICLN (iShares Global Clean Energy ETF): Focuses on companies producing energy from solar, wind, and other renewable sources.
• WWOW (Direxion World Without Waste ETF): Represented the shift toward circular economic models—focusing on sustainability, resource recovery, and sharing platforms. While this specific fund closed in 2022 ⁽⁴⁾, it illustrates how highly targeted thematic funds can be.

Whatever your values are, take time to process how your investments agree with them. At Cedar Ridge Planning, we listen to you to help identify your values and align them with your investing. Your life and financial goals are important, give them the time and attention they deserve.

Sources:

1. PortfoliosLab. “Vanguard ESG U.S. Stock ETF (ESGV) Metrics” (5-year annualized performance data through mid-2026). portfolioslab.com
2. ETF Central. “ESGV vs. SCHB ETF Comparison Analysis” (Year-to-date performance through August 2026). etfcentral.com
3. KoalaGains. “State Street SPDR MSCI USA Gender Diversity ETF (SHE) Performance Returns” (10-year cumulative performance 2016–2026). koalagains.com
4. Direxion Investments. “Direxion Closing Seven ETFs” (2022 liquidation filing). direxion.com
5. Morningstar. “ESG Fund Fees: Debunking the Myth” (2026 research report). morningstar.com