New Multi-Faith Economy Index Evaluates Faith-Based Business Practices

A new report titled the "Multi-Faith Economy Index" has been launched at Lambeth Palace to assess how faith-based organizations integrate their beliefs into daily operations and decision-making. Developed by the global firm Consulus, the pilot study evaluated 100 organizations across categories including governance, investment, and social impact. Participating entities were scored on a 20-point scale, with those achieving 18 or higher designated as "thought leaders."

The findings revealed varying levels of representation across sectors. Islamic institutions dominated the banking category, while Christian organizations such as Catholic Relief Services and Caritas Internationalis held a stronger presence among foundations. In asset management, the results were more balanced, featuring both Christian-founded firms like CCLA Investment Management and Thrivent Asset Management alongside Islamic institutions.

Consulus noted that the index reflects a broader shift among faith-based groups from merely avoiding "sin" industries toward proactive social investment. The firm emphasized that the pilot scores were based solely on publicly available information, suggesting that some organizations may be performing better than their rankings indicate. Future iterations of the index aim to expand the sample size and refine the evaluation framework.