When you deposit money with Illuminate and invest in the guided portfolios, Illuminate purchases shares in individual stocks and exchange-traded funds (or ETFs). Once you're an investor in those stocks and ETFs, you get to weigh in on important issues with a vote. Your vote is proportional to the number of shares you own. Proxy voting as a shareholder is a lot like mailing in your ballot for an election. Many shareholders don't vote in person, so voting by proxy makes sure your vote is counted as the shareholder.
Instead of you having to research and vote on hundreds of proposals across all your investments or not vote at all, Illuminate automatically votes your shares to advance sustainability policies. In the Your Money, Your Vote section of your app, you can see how your shares were voted and the outcomes of votes. We partner with Iconik, a leader in shareholder voting automation.