Aug 21, 2025
Why Values-Aligned Capital Matters More Than Ever Right Now
We are living through a pivotal moment. The racial wealth gap remains vast. Health inequities persist. Economic inequality continues to climb. And yet...
We are living through a pivotal moment. The racial wealth gap remains vast. Health inequities persist. Economic inequality continues to climb. And yet...
We are living through a pivotal moment. The racial wealth gap remains vast. Health inequities persist. Economic inequality continues to climb. And yet, in the face of this, we’re seeing a wave of rollbacks to the very policies and programs designed to address these disparities. From affirmative action to DEI initiatives, long-standing tools for racial and economic justice are being challenged or dismantled.
In the midst of this, we’ve found ourselves returning again and again to a shared question: What does it truly mean to align our capital with our values?
As a philanthropic strategist and a financial advisor, we come to this question from different corners of the impact space, but we’ve found our work increasingly overlapping. Our clients, whether they are donors, families, or investors, are seeking ways to move with integrity and purpose. They’re asking how to support communities, build long-term resilience, and show up for justice not just with words, but with money.
Many people with financial resources want to make a difference, but struggle to bridge the gap between their values and their wealth. They may give generously, but invest in ways that contradict their giving. Or they may invest impactfully but lack a philanthropic strategy that reflects their core values.
We’ve seen people paralyzed by complexity, overwhelmed by options, or hesitant to act without a clear roadmap. Yet we’ve also seen what becomes possible when people are equipped with the tools and guidance to align all aspects of their financial lives with their purpose.
Values-aligned capital is about seeing the full picture. It means using your wealth — whether through grants, investments, endowments, or donor-advised funds — as a tool for justice and equity. It’s not just about doing good. It’s about doing good strategically.
From the philanthropic perspective, this might mean shifting from traditional top-down giving to trust-based approaches that center community expertise. From the financial lens, it could involve investing in BIPOC-led funds, rethinking risk in the context of social return, or using shareholder influence to drive corporate accountability.
Values-aligned capital demands intentionality. It requires clarity on what you stand for, and the courage to let those values guide your financial choices.
To make this actionable, we suggest a simple framework:
We’ve worked with individuals and families who have shifted significant resources to movements and grassroots organizations after realizing their traditional giving didn’t reflect their values. We’ve supported clients in transitioning portfolios toward ESG and impact investments that align with racial equity. And we’ve watched new donor communities form around shared values, pooling resources for systemic change.
But we’ve also seen common tensions. Some fear alienating peers. Others worry about the effectiveness of new approaches. Many wonder whether their actions are “enough.”
There’s no perfect way to do this work. But we believe the worst choice is inaction.
At a time when justice is being rolled back, the choice to align your capital with your values is a bold act of resistance and hope. You don’t need to have all the answers to begin. You just need to be willing to ask the questions — and take the next right step.
We hope you’ll join us in this ongoing conversation. Let’s learn together, build together, and invest in a future where our values and our capital move in harmony.
Anna N’Jie-Konte is a financial planner, wealth strategist, and advocate for women seeking to align their wealth with their values. As the Founder and CEO of Poder Wealth Advisors, she specializes in helping women grow, enjoy, and preserve their wealth with confidence. Anna is also the host of The Financial Powerhouse Podcast, where she explores how women can grow wealth and live life on their own terms. When she’s not working with clients, Anna enjoys spending time with family, traveling, and indulging in her love of salsa dancing and cooking traditional Puerto Rican and Gambian meals.
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