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October 30, 2000
Mutual Funds Make Socially Responsible Stocking Stuffer
A 30-year tradition of a low minimum investment makes Pax World Balanced Fund a reasonable holiday
gift with social impact.
SocialFunds.com --
"Nikki was very concerned about the environment and I wanted to show her ways to help," said Lisa
Kilcoyne of Lancaster, Ohio, speaking about her 13-year-old daughter, Nicole. Four years ago,
Kilcoyne got Nicole a Christmas gift that will last her a lifetime: an account with the Pax World
Balanced Fund.
"I felt that an investment in Pax would not only
teach her about financial responsibility but about social responsibility too," said Kilcoyne.
Apparently she is not alone, as many other parents and grandparents are choosing social funds like
those at Pax to make their youngsters' holidays, and futures, bright.
A no-load balanced
fund with more than $1.2 billion in assets, Pax World Balanced Fund was the first mutual fund to
adopt broad socially responsible standards for its investments in 1971. It has also featured one of
the lowest minimums in the industry since its inception, $250, in order to encourage young people
and low- and moderate-income individuals to start investing.
Although many no-load social
funds impose steeper minimums of $1,000, $2,000, or more, the Pax World Fund Family doesn't offer
the only potential holiday gifts. MMA Praxis Funds and Aquinas Funds offer $500 minimums, while
Amana Funds and Security Social Awareness Funds represent the true bargain basement, each offering
$100 minimums.
"The responsible investment philosophy guiding the Pax World Balanced Fund
is particularly in sync with the values of many concerned parents and grandparents," said Pax World
President Thomas Grant. "We see a big surge of interest every year during the holiday season on the
part of parents and grandparents who want to do something different."
Pax World Balanced
Fund invests in companies providing goods and services that "improve the quality of life," such as
health care, technology, pollution control, housing, utilities, and education. The Fund does not
invest in companies involved in manufacturing defense or weapons-related products or companies that
derive revenue from the manufacture of tobacco, liquor, or gambling products.
While Pax
World Balanced Fund has set the pace for social screens for almost 30 years, their performance is
enough to sway even the most ambivalent social investors. The Fund was ranked as the #7 balanced
fund, or top 3 percent, among all 252 funds tracked by Lipper Analytical Services for the 5-year
period ended Sept 30, 2000, with 18.75 average annualized returns for that period.
Pax
World Balanced Fund and other low-minimum funds provide a valuable opportunity for young people to
develop socially responsible investing practices at an early age, through gift accounts from
socially concerned relatives.
Mrs. Kilcoyne sees it all as an educational experience for
young Nicole. "It has been a good learning experience for her," Lisa said. "We think Pax is a
great company with all it is doing to encourage companies to act responsibly."
©
SRI World Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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