Unitarian Universalist Values, Endowments, and Reparations: Some Preliminary Reflections

Abstract

Unitarian Universalism has a proud history of socially responsible investing, and the inclusion of “generosity,” “equity,” and “justice” in the 2024 Statement of Shared Values reinforces a widespread consensus that Unitarian Universalist faith has much to do with the financial choices of Unitarian Universalists, as individuals, families, congregations, and association. Yet that consensus does not always translate into agreement about specific financial decisions, and the time is ripe for a more open-ended conversation about the best pathway from our shared values to concrete choices about wealth management. There are at least four distinct investment philosophies that Unitarian Universalists of good will might reasonably derive from our shared values. This essay describes each philosophy in some detail, then offers reflections about reparations that cut across the four philosophies.