Frequently Asked Questions

  • Values-Aligned Investing (VAI) is an investment approach that integrates an individual's or organization's ethical, social, religious, or environmental values into financial decision-making. Unlike traditional ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) investing, which follows standardized corporate metrics, VAI allows investors to prioritize a broader range of values—whether that’s biodiversity, faith-based investing, human rights, or other social impact considerations.

    At CAII, we believe that investing isn’t just about financial returns—it’s about shaping the world you want to see. Our curriculum helps students and investors understand how to apply their unique values to portfolio construction, investment analysis, and due diligence, ensuring that their capital aligns with their beliefs while maintaining strong financial performance.

  • CAII is an educational initiative designed to help university students integrate values-aligned investing into their financial decision-making. We provide open-source curriculum resources, workshops, and mentorship opportunities to equip students with the knowledge needed to align their investments with their ethical and social priorities.

  • Unlike traditional ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) investing, which often follows standardized metrics, CAII promotes values-aligned investing, a broader framework that includes diverse perspectives, such as religious, conservative, environmental, and human wellness-driven investing.

  • Our curriculum is designed for university students, especially those involved in student-led investment funds, finance clubs, or individuals interested in ethical investing. We also welcome finance professionals and professors looking to incorporate our materials into their teaching.

  • You can download our open-source curriculum directly from our website in the Resources section. We also offer live workshops and virtual sessions.

  • Our curriculum covers:

    • Introduction to values-aligned investing

    • How to incorporate ethics into financial decision-making

    • Due diligence and investment analysis

    • Case studies on socially responsible investing

    • Measuring social and financial returns

  • Yes! We are actively reaching out to student investment funds and finance classes at universities in the U.S., U.K., and Australia. If you’d like us to speak at your institution, please contact us using the contact us section of the website.

  • CAII workshops are led by our team of Stanford students, investment professionals, and guest speakers specializing in values-aligned investing.