Top 10 US ESG Investing Funds

Calvert, founded in 1976, is considered the pioneer of US ESG investing, launching its first responsible investment fund in 1982. Managing over $30 billion across equities, fixed income, and multi-asset strategies, Calvert screens for ESG risks and shareholder engagement. It was acquired by Morgan Stanley Investment Management in 2016.

Calvert Research and Management

Vanguard's ESGV tracks a broad US equity ESG index with over $10 billion in AUM and an ultra-low expense ratio of 0.09%. Launched in 2018, it excludes fossil fuels, vice stocks, and companies failing MSCI ESG ratings. ESGV provides low-cost ESG exposure for mainstream investors seeking passive sustainable strategies.

Vanguard ESG US Stock ETF (ESGV)

The iShares MSCI KLD 400 Social ETF tracks the MSCI KLD 400 Social Index — one of the oldest US ESG equity benchmarks, launched in 1990. With $3B+ in AUM, DSI includes 400 US companies with positive ESG characteristics while excluding firearms, tobacco, and nuclear power. Its expense ratio is 0.25%.

iShares MSCI KLD 400 Social ETF (DSI)

TIAA-CREF Social Choice Equity manages over $8 billion and targets US companies with strong ESG profiles while maintaining broad market diversification. Launched in 1999, it is a staple in university and non-profit retirement plans. TIAA, with $1.3 trillion in total AUM, is among the largest asset managers in the US.

TIAA-CREF Social Choice Equity Fund

Nuveen's ESG ETF suite, including NULG, targets large-cap growth companies with strong ESG scores while excluding companies involved in alcohol, tobacco, and weapons. Nuveen manages over $7B in ESG ETFs. Parent company TIAA's long-standing commitment to responsible investing underpins Nuveen's $1.1 trillion total AUM platform.

Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Growth ETF (NULG)

Dimensional Fund Advisors' US Sustainability Core 1 applies a systematic, factor-based approach to ESG investing, tilting toward companies with higher profitability and lower carbon intensity. With $12B+ in AUM, DFA integrates ESG data across its entire investment process rather than applying binary exclusion screens. Expense ratio: 0.18%.

DFA US Sustainability Core 1 Portfolio

Northern Trust manages over $15 billion in ESG equity strategies through customized ESG index solutions for institutional clients including pension funds, endowments, and sovereign wealth funds. Its FlexShares ESG & Climate ETFs offer retail access. Northern Trust has been a signatory to the UN Principles for Responsible Investment since 2008.

Northern Trust ESG Equity Index Fund

Fidelity's FITLX tracks the MSCI USA ESG Leaders Index with a low expense ratio of 0.11% and $5B+ in AUM, making it one of the most accessible mainstream ESG funds. Launched in 2017, it excludes controversial weapons, tobacco, and thermal coal companies. Fidelity now manages over $20B across its ESG fund lineup.

Fidelity US Sustainability Index Fund (FITLX)

Putnam Sustainable Leaders is an actively managed ESG fund with over $2B in AUM that integrates ESG analysis with fundamental research to identify companies leading on sustainability metrics. Founded in 1999, the fund has historically favored healthcare, technology, and consumer staples sectors. Putnam is owned by Franklin Templeton.

Putnam Sustainable Leaders Fund

Calvert, founded in 1976, is considered the pioneer of US ESG investing, launching its first responsible investment fund in 1982. Managing over $30 billion across equities, fixed income, and multi-asset strategies, Calvert screens for ESG risks and shareholder engagement. It was acquired by Morgan Stanley Investment Management in 2016.

Calvert Research and Management

Vanguard's ESGV tracks a broad US equity ESG index with over $10 billion in AUM and an ultra-low expense ratio of 0.09%. Launched in 2018, it excludes fossil fuels, vice stocks, and companies failing MSCI ESG ratings. ESGV provides low-cost ESG exposure for mainstream investors seeking passive sustainable strategies.

Vanguard ESG US Stock ETF (ESGV)

The iShares MSCI KLD 400 Social ETF tracks the MSCI KLD 400 Social Index — one of the oldest US ESG equity benchmarks, launched in 1990. With $3B+ in AUM, DSI includes 400 US companies with positive ESG characteristics while excluding firearms, tobacco, and nuclear power. Its expense ratio is 0.25%.

iShares MSCI KLD 400 Social ETF (DSI)

TIAA-CREF Social Choice Equity manages over $8 billion and targets US companies with strong ESG profiles while maintaining broad market diversification. Launched in 1999, it is a staple in university and non-profit retirement plans. TIAA, with $1.3 trillion in total AUM, is among the largest asset managers in the US.

TIAA-CREF Social Choice Equity Fund

Nuveen's ESG ETF suite, including NULG, targets large-cap growth companies with strong ESG scores while excluding companies involved in alcohol, tobacco, and weapons. Nuveen manages over $7B in ESG ETFs. Parent company TIAA's long-standing commitment to responsible investing underpins Nuveen's $1.1 trillion total AUM platform.

Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Growth ETF (NULG)

Dimensional Fund Advisors' US Sustainability Core 1 applies a systematic, factor-based approach to ESG investing, tilting toward companies with higher profitability and lower carbon intensity. With $12B+ in AUM, DFA integrates ESG data across its entire investment process rather than applying binary exclusion screens. Expense ratio: 0.18%.

DFA US Sustainability Core 1 Portfolio

Northern Trust manages over $15 billion in ESG equity strategies through customized ESG index solutions for institutional clients including pension funds, endowments, and sovereign wealth funds. Its FlexShares ESG & Climate ETFs offer retail access. Northern Trust has been a signatory to the UN Principles for Responsible Investment since 2008.

Northern Trust ESG Equity Index Fund

Fidelity's FITLX tracks the MSCI USA ESG Leaders Index with a low expense ratio of 0.11% and $5B+ in AUM, making it one of the most accessible mainstream ESG funds. Launched in 2017, it excludes controversial weapons, tobacco, and thermal coal companies. Fidelity now manages over $20B across its ESG fund lineup.

Fidelity US Sustainability Index Fund (FITLX)

Putnam Sustainable Leaders is an actively managed ESG fund with over $2B in AUM that integrates ESG analysis with fundamental research to identify companies leading on sustainability metrics. Founded in 1999, the fund has historically favored healthcare, technology, and consumer staples sectors. Putnam is owned by Franklin Templeton.

Putnam Sustainable Leaders Fund