Financial advisors who can’t talk impact are being left behind.
Clients and their families are asking advisors to align their wealth with their values and their interests. As a new generation of investors takes the reins, clients are looking for advisors able to craft strategies that combine impact and financial returns.
That’s according to CapShift CEO and co-founder Adam Rein. Nearly half of high-net-worth clients say they’re interested in using their portfolios to drive positive social and environmental impact. CapShift’s platform helps advisors craft such portfolios for families, foundations and institutions.
“The majority of clients have never had their wealth advisor talk to them about impact investing,” Rein says, “That gap is leading many clients to start leaving their firms – especially when there’s a wealth transfer to the next generation.”
Today ImpactAlpha and CapShift are launching Advisors’ Corner – a new hub of practical resources to help financial advisors develop their own answers to the questions their clients are asking about impact investing.
“Wealth Advisors aren’t going to talk to their clients about impact investing unless they really feel confident that they understand it,” says Rein. “Our vision for this partnership is to create an Advisors’ Corner where we can share some of that introductory material and content – where advisors can grow comfortable and educated about the different parts of the market, what types of things our clients will care about, and how they can translate that into their practice.”
Advisors’ Corner includes two types of resources:
- Getting started guides: Quick, digestible overviews that cover the fundamentals — from opening the first client conversation to aligning portfolios with purpose.
- Deep dives: In-depth explorations into specific themes and investment strategies, ideal for advisors looking to expand their knowledge and capabilities.
Dig into the launch lineup:
Getting started: The first discussion — understanding your clients’ values and priorities
Learn how to identify values-driven clients — even if they don’t use the term “impact investing.” This guide includes smart conversation starters and cues to help you understand what really matters to your clients.
Getting started: You know what your client cares about – now what? Turning values into investment strategy
Move from values to action. This piece outlines how to turn a client’s priorities into an investable strategy — from aligning with the SDGs to choosing products that meet both financial and impact goals.
Getting started: An advisor’s no-nonsense guide to impact investing
A robust FAQ covering 40+ questions advisors may need to field — from asset classes and portfolio performance to topics like impact washing, ESG pushback, and how to talk to clients about racial equity and justice. Plus, compelling reasons why impact expertise helps advisors grow and retain business.
Deep dive: Community Development Financial Institutions explained
Explore Community Development Financial Institutions – accessible, tangible entry points for new impact investors. Learn how CDFIs work, what they fund, and how they can support both community needs and diversified portfolios.
Deep dive: Investing in detoxification
Meet the growing demand for safer, non-toxic consumer goods. This deep dive explores market trends and investment opportunities in safer chemistry and circular economy innovations.
We’ll continue to grow Advisors’ Corner in the coming months. Whether you’re serving longtime clients or building relationships with the next generation, this series will help you navigate the evolving world of impact investing.
Stay tuned for more — and start exploring today.
Advisors’ Corner is a content partnership between ImpactAlpha and Capshift. CapShift’s impact investing platform empowers financial and philanthropic institutions — and their clients — to invest in their vision for a better tomorrow. All content is solely for informational purposes and should not be used as the basis for investment decisions.
