I’ve saved up some amount of cash, but family is poor and hasn’t had useful advice. I feel like the stock market hasn’t been great for society, but surely there are some causes who would use the capital for good (and give it back when I need it later)? I have a half remembered portfolio from a previous union with a big war chest, but it doesn’t feel actionable.
I’m in North America + UK; but answers globally I think are interesting.


BEHOLD! I have actually somewhat looked into this.
So, for buying stock in publicly traded companies, no, you basically can’t make the world a better place that way. Not because “companies must do what is best for shareholders by law” (iirc, this is more of a guideline than anything). But rather because if all the ethical people invest in Solar Panels and Gender Affirming Care For Everyone Inc, then all the ethically neutral money (which is almost all of it) will simply shift more towards Torture Palistinian Orphans Inc. Because everyone is investing based on value relative to price - so rational investors flee the “overinflated” prices of companies with ethically laudable missions. It’s like trying to lower the level of the ocean by filling up an 5 gallon bucket and dumping it down your toilet. You aren’t making a difference. Other water is just going to fill it up. If you want to invest in stocks, just invest in a broad market, low fee index fund, forget about it for 30 years, and forget about your ethical concerns.
If you want to invest in something that improves the world and makes you money, your best bets are
(1) Small local investments. You’ll have to dig here, but there are probably investors in your area who are getting together to give out small business loans. You are basically angel investors, but instead of funding Uber-But-For-Burritos, you are helping that guy in your neighborhood who is good at fixing things start his appliance repair business.
(2) Investing in yourself and your own business. Like, make a restaurant that gives out free burritos, or a clothing company that donated fancy hats to anti-Trump rallies. Its hard for a business to be really unethical when you’re the one running it