Newground Social Investment

07/18/2025

"Despite the political backlash, U.S. companies have either maintained or increased sustainability investments since the beginning of 2025, according to a survey of 400 global executives at U.S. corporations released Tuesday by sustainability ratings and compliance firm EcoVadis."

EcoVadis found companies are less likely to publicize their sustainability efforts this year, but have largely maintained or increased their ESG investments amid shifts and backlash.

06/26/2025

In philanthropy, endings deserve as much care and clarity as beginnings. As more foundations and nonprofits choose to sunset operations and spend down their assets, a new set of strategic best practices is emerging. Here's our helpful guide to a good end.

In philanthropy, endings deserve as much care and clarity as beginnings. As more nonprofits decide to sunset and spend down, new strategic best practices are emerging.

06/21/2025

Curious how the One, Big, Beautiful Bill could affect you, and how the Senate version differs from the House’s? Read the latest for valuable clues on where tax policy may be headed.

While Capitol Hill races to finalize sweeping changes in the so-called One, Big, Beautiful Bill, much remains unresolved. Read the latest for valuable clues on where tax policy may be headed.

05/27/2025

Alec Baldwin will address Chevron shareholders during the company's 2025 annual meeting on May 28, 2025. The actor will deliver a short speech to move shareholder proposal #7, which asks the Board to lower the threshold required to call a "special meeting" of shareholders, from 15% down to 10%.

This common-sense governance reform would make it easier for shareholders to hold Chevron's management accountable on issues it currently seeks to avoid – including a $9.5 billion judgement for massive oil pollution in Ecuador's Amazon rainforest, and the Company's relentless campaign against Steven Donziger, the indigenous community's environmental & human rights attorney.

READ the full text of the shareholder proposal at: https://newground.net/blog/shareholders-to-chevron-lower-special-meeting-threshold

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FULL TRANSCRIPT OF BALDWIN'S SPEECH

Thank you and good morning. My name is Alec Baldwin, and I speak on behalf of Newground Social Investment to move Proposal #7 – which requests a 10% special meeting threshold.

This proposal seeks to strengthen oversight in the face of mounting governance failures. Chevron has exposed shareholders to escalating legal, reputational, and financial risk worldwide – most notably in its decades-long “handling” of a pollution catastrophe in Ecuador.

Rather than properly address a $9.5 billion Constitutional Court judgment, Chevron has used shareholder dollars in a relentless campaign against Ecuador’s indigenous communities and their attorney, Steven Donziger – a campaign that is now considered a global symbol of corporate bullying.

Let us be clear:

Chevron’s key legal witness, Alberto Guerra, has admitted under oath that he lied in court, was coached over 50 times by Chevron law firm Gibson Dunn, and was paid nearly half a million dollars for giving false testimony.

Congress sent a formal letter to the White House that raised serious concerns about Chevron’s harassing litigation, and urged exoneration for attorney Donziger.

CEO & Board Chair Michael Wirth has refused to answer questions about how much shareholder money Chevron has spent on this harassment campaign.

Ecuador is not an isolated governance failure. There are other lapses which demonstrate systemic accountability failures at Chevron’s highest levels.

A 10% special meeting threshold is a reasonable standard among the S&P 500 and acts as a type of safety valve for when a board does not address repeated lapses.

For these reasons, please vote FOR Proposal #7. Thank you.

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LEARN MORE at https://www.newground.net

NOTE: This material is intended for educational purposes only. As with all our public writing, social media posts do not constitute tax or financial planning advice; likewise, they are neither an offer to sell nor solicitation to buy any investment or security.

04/23/2025

On this Earth Day, we reflect on the profound guidance of Pope Francis, who said, “To be protectors of God’s handiwork is not an option.”

On this Earth Day, we reflect on the profound guidance of Pope Francis, who said, “To be protectors of God’s handiwork is not an option.”

02/14/2025

We are deeply troubled, though unsurprised, by this Trump-era attack on shareholder democracy and corporate accountability. For decades, the right to place proposals on the proxy for a vote of all shareholders has been a key stock ownership right. This is essential because it allows shareholders to communicate with each other, and encourages companies to uphold the highest standards of appropriate and transparent behavior – which is also the most profitable way to do business.

The commission, under GOP control, is making it easier for companies to shoot down shareholder proposals on hot-button political issues.

02/05/2025

We’re excited to announce that Louise Alexander has joined the Newground team as Associate Planner! With expertise in financial planning and a passion for values-aligned investing, Louise will help us expand our services and deepen our commitment to socially responsible wealth management. Welcome, Louise!

Read more about her journey here:

Newground is delighted to announce that Louise Alexander has joined our team as Associate Planner. With a strong foundation in financial planning and a rich professional background, Louise will play a pivotal role in expanding and enhancing the services we provide to our valued clients.

12/31/2024

Newground filed a shareholder proposal with Tesla that calls for disclosure of its corporate political spending. Transparency on "dark money" spending would foster trust with shareholders, improve oversight, and protect democracy.

https://newground.net/blog/shareholders-press-tesla-to-disclose-political-spending

Newground filed a shareholder proposal with Tesla that calls for disclosure of its corporate political spending. Transparency on "dark money" spending would foster trust with shareholders, improve oversight, and protect democracy.

12/31/2024

Newground Social Investment filed a shareholder proposal that calls on Amazon to address misalignment between its public commitments on climate action, versus the company's political and "dark money" lobbying that undermine those commitments.

https://newground.net/blog/amazon-shareholders-need-transparency-on-climate-lobbying

Newground filed a shareholder proposal that calls on Amazon to address misalignment between its public commitments on climate action, versus the company's political and "dark money" lobbying that undermine those commitments.

12/31/2024

To reduce risk and improve oversight related to pollution and human rights abuses, Newground filed a shareholder proposal that calls on Chevron to lower the threshold needed to convene a special meeting of shareholders.

https://newground.net/blog/shareholders-to-chevron-lower-special-meeting-threshold

To reduce risk and improve oversight related to pollution and human rights abuses, Newground filed a shareholder proposal that calls on Chevron to lower the threshold needed to convene a special meeting of shareholders.

12/31/2024

Washington Post financial reporters Alissa Greenberg and Hannah Ziegler published an excellent primer on ESG investing that quotes Newground chief executive Bruce Herbert.

The article, "How to Decide Whether Sustainable Investing is Right For You", gives a thorough look at the reasons why so many investors opt for a values-aligned approach to managing money, despite a right-wing-manufactured faux controversy that targets ESG investing.

https://newground.net/blog/washington-post-features-newgrounds-bruce-herbert

Washington Post quotes Newground's Bruce Herbert: "In the long run, what’s most profitable is also often most sustainable..." (How to decide whether sustainable investing is right for you. 2024.1211)

05/29/2023

Dear Chevron shareholders: Please vote FOR proposal #12 "Independent Board Chair" on the 2023 proxy. Chevron should follow best practices and separate the roles of CEO and board chair. https://vimeo.com/831065725

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Actor / Activist Scottie Thompson urges Chevron shareholders to vote FOR a proposal on the 2023 proxy that will benefit shareholders, help indigenous people in the…