Turning capital into compassion

How Praxis partners with Mars Sustainability bond to empower communities and care for creation

Fixed-income investing |
Vegetable market

The Praxis Impact Bond Fund continues to generate positive change by investing in positive impact bonds such as a Mars sustainability bond that supports community and cares for Creation.

Mars is an established global food, pet care, and confectionary company. A few recognizable brand names include Pedigree, Kellogg’s, KIND, and M&M’s. Their Sustainability plan is grounded by three pillars:

  • Healthy Planet (reducing Mars’ environmental impact).
  • Thriving People (respecting human rights & ethical supply chain).
  • Nourishing Wellbeing (enhance product quality & nutrition).

In 2023, Mars released a $2.5 billion sustainability bond offering to help drive their sustainability efforts further. Eligible projects for the proceeds involve renewable energy, green buildings, sustainable water management, socioeconomic advancement and empowerment, and access to essential financial services.

In Mars’ 2024 Sustainability Progress report, Mars reports that over 850,000 lives were impacted throughout their value chains, including more than 160,000 farmers touched by farmer wage increase programs. Even further, Mars reports that they have successfully decreased GHG emissions by 16.4% since 2015, while business has grown by 69%.

One woman, Kamalesh Kumari, supported by these efforts shared that, “When my husband passed away, the thought of running the shop on my own was terrifying, but I knew I had to do something to support my children and in-laws... I took a loan from the group, stocked the shop with essential items and started managing it myself.”

The Praxis Impact Bond Fund invests in many bonds that finance impactful projects around the world. These bonds receive competitive financial returns, and have a clear, direct impact on the world. Investments include renewable energy projects, green bonds, low-income housing, education, social bonds and more. Learn more about how our Stewardship Investing philosophy guides this fund here.

About the Author


Benjamin Bailey, CFA, Vice President of Investments, Co-portfolio Manager of Praxis Impact Bond Fund | Praxis Mutual Funds
Benjamin Bailey, CFA
Vice President of Investments

Benjamin joined Everence® in 2000 and was named Co-Portfolio Manager of the Praxis Impact Bond Fund in 2005, and Co-Manager of the Praxis Genesis Portfolios in 2013. In 2015, he was named Senior Fixed Income Investment Manager, providing leadership to the fixed income team and oversight to external sub-advisory relationships. Connect with Benjamin on LinkedIn.


Tags:

How we invest

At Praxis, our investments generate a competitive financial return and deliver a clear and direct benefit to people and our planet.

 

Disclosure

As of Jan. 31, 2026, the Praxis Impact Bond Fund has invested 0.09% of its assets in the Mar's Sustainability Bond. Fund holdings are subject to change. To obtain holdings as of the most previous quarter, visit praxisinvests.com.

Bond funds will tend to experience smaller fluctuations in value than stock funds. However, investors in any bond fund should anticipate fluctuations in price, especially for longer-term issues and in environments of rising interest rates.

The Fund’s investment strategy could cause the fund to sell or avoid securities that may subsequently perform well.

You should consider the fund’s investment objectives, risks, sales charges and expenses carefully before you invest. The fund’s prospectus and summary prospectus contain this and other information. Please read them carefully before you invest.

Investment products are not FDIC insured, may lose value, and have no bank guarantee. Praxis Mutual Funds are advised by Praxis Investment Management, Inc. and distributed through Foreside Financial Services, LLC.