• Improving the lives of women and girls

• Addressing global challenges

• Achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

• Changing the face of finance

What do all of these have in common?

They can all be addressed by gender lens, also known as gender smart, investing. Gender lens investing is “a strategy or approach to investing that takes into consideration gender-based factors across the investment process to advance gender equality and better inform investment decisions.” This definition comes from the Global Impact Investing Network (GIIN).

If you want to get involved in gender lens investing, you can do so whether you’re interested in the public stock and bond markets, private markets, or more broadly, engaging women to help you manage your money.

In the public markets you might look for one of these funds: Fidelity Women's Leadership Fund (FWOMX), Impact Shares YWCA Women’s Empowerment (WOMN), Nia Impact Capital (NIAGX), Pax Ellevate Global Women's Leadership Fund (PXWEX), or SPDR SSGA Gender Diversity Index ETF (SHE).

When it comes to investing in private companies, there’s a new wave of women-led venture capital funds and angel groups that are happy to have accredited investors. Some of these specifically focus on female founders, some on women’s health issues, and others have a mission to enrich women. A few to look into are: Portfolia, Stella Angels, True Wealth Ventures, Plum Alley Venture Fund, and Coyote Ventures. For a more complete list, check out this database of women-oriented VC funds.

Here are a couple other ways you get started with gender smart investing: choose in a fund led by a female portfolio manager or have your assets managed by an investing platform by and for women.

Note: None of this serves as investment advice or recommendations. This is merely for informational purposes and as a starting point for further conversations and research. 

Thank you to Invest for Better for the 3-part mini course on gender lens investing led by Kristin Hull, PhD with curriculum by Alison Pyott, where I learned about gender lens investing.