Faith & Finance: Inspire Investing Hits $4B Amidst BRI Boom

BOISE, ID – January 28, 2026 – In a powerful demonstration of the burgeoning faith-based finance sector, Inspire Investing announced today it has surpassed $4 billion in assets under management (AUM). The Boise-based firm, a prominent player in Biblically Responsible Investing (BRI), reached the milestone on January 7, with its AUM climbing to $4.275 billion by January 18.

This achievement marks a period of explosive growth, with the company adding over $1 billion in client assets since September 2024. The rapid expansion has consistently earned Inspire national recognition, including multiple appearances on the Inc. 5000 and The Financial Times' lists of fastest-growing companies.

"We give all glory to God for this milestone," said Robert Netzly, CEO of Inspire Investing, in a statement. "We see this growth as a reflection of God's faithfulness and of the growing desire among Christians to steward their money in a way that honors Him."

The Rising Tide of Biblically Responsible Investing

Inspire's success is not an isolated event but rather a key indicator of a larger, accelerating trend within the financial industry. The market for faith-based investing is experiencing unprecedented growth. In 2024, assets held in faith-based mutual funds and ETFs crossed the $100 billion threshold for the first time, with the total market now estimated to exceed $130 billion.

Despite this impressive figure, the sector's potential remains vast. This sum represents less than 0.5% of the estimated $22.4 trillion in public market investments held by Christians in the United States. This significant gap highlights a massive, largely untapped market of investors who, according to market research, are eager to align their financial portfolios with their values. Surveys indicate that nearly 88% of committed Christians express a desire for their investments to reflect their faith.

This demand has fueled a surge in capital flows toward Christian-focused funds, which have notably outpaced Shariah-compliant funds in attracting new investment since 2022, driven primarily by US-domiciled investors. Industry experts suggest this reflects a "silent demand" that is now becoming increasingly vocal, as investors actively seek out strategies that resonate with their core beliefs.

A Mission-Driven Model: Scorecards and Philanthropy

At the heart of Inspire's strategy is its proprietary 'Inspire Impact Score,' a methodology designed to translate biblical principles into a quantifiable investment screening process. The system rates thousands of companies on a scale from -100 to +100. A company is automatically assigned a negative score if it is found to have any involvement in a list of exclusionary activities, which include abortion services, pornography, gambling, and what the firm defines as "LGBT activism."

Companies that clear this initial negative screen are then evaluated on positive criteria. Using a framework adapted from the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) and viewed through a biblical lens, Inspire assesses companies on factors like environmental responsibility, labor practices, and ethical supply chains. Only companies receiving a score of zero or higher are considered for inclusion in Inspire's portfolios. This dual approach of negative and positive screening allows the firm to construct portfolios that aim to both avoid perceived harms and support positive corporate behavior.

Beyond portfolio construction, the firm has embedded its mission directly into its corporate structure through its 'Give50 Program.' Inspire has committed to donating 50% or more of its net corporate profits from management fees to Christian ministries. This philanthropic pledge, which the firm clarifies does not impact client returns, has resulted in hundreds of thousands of dollars in donations. Beneficiaries include organizations like Lifewise Academy, which provides Bible-based education to public school students; PreBorn!, a crisis pregnancy ministry; World Help, which distributes Bibles and serves impoverished communities; and the International Justice Mission (IJM), a global organization working to combat human trafficking and violence.

Navigating Growth, Scrutiny, and the ESG Divide

While the growth trajectory is impressive, the path for values-based firms is not without its complexities. The increasing popularity of BRI has brought greater regulatory attention. In September 2024, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) charged Inspire Investing with making misleading statements and having compliance failures related to its BRI strategy. The SEC found that the firm's screening process did not always match its public claims of using a data-driven method to exclude all companies with "any degree of participation" in certain practices. Without admitting or denying the findings, Inspire consented to a censure, a $300,000 penalty, and an agreement to retain an independent compliance consultant to review its policies.

This regulatory action highlights a central challenge for the entire values-based investing industry: ensuring that marketing claims are rigorously and consistently supported by operational reality. It also touches on the long-standing debate over whether values-based screening can negatively impact financial returns. While Inspire points to academic research suggesting a positive or neutral performance impact, Netzly has also invoked scripture to suggest that prioritizing "God glorifying investments" may be necessary even if it means accepting lower returns, a stance that clearly prioritizes values over pure financial gain.

Furthermore, the rise of BRI is often framed as a direct response and alternative to the mainstream Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) investing movement. Proponents of BRI, including Netzly, have been critical of what they describe as the "nearly universal tilt toward progressive, liberal values" within the ESG landscape. This positioning defines BRI not merely as a niche strategy but as a conservative counterweight in the increasingly politicized world of ethical investing. This dynamic has created a distinct market for investors who feel alienated by mainstream ESG criteria and are seeking an alternative that more closely mirrors their worldview. As firms like Inspire continue to grow, they are also moving beyond simple exclusion, engaging in shareholder advocacy and proxy voting to actively influence corporate behavior, signaling a new, more assertive phase in the effort to align capital with conviction.