With allegations of offensive behaviour or illegal activity tainting some of Australia's biggest companies, such as the Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA), Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC) and Rio Tinto Limited (ASX: RIO) some are withdrawing their support.
But there's a way to make money on the stock market and feel even better about filling your pockets.
Australian Ethical Investment Limited (ASX: AEF) is a fund manager which claims to invest in companies which have "a positive impact on the planet, people and animals".
And the company's had a positive impact on shareholders' bank balances, too.
The Australian Ethical Investments share price has gone from $89.99 this time last year to close at $128.70 on Wednesday, representing a gain of about 43%.
The fund manager's stock has been boosted by its investments in companies such as Altium Limited (ASX: ALU), Appen Ltd (ASX: APX) and Praemium Ltd (ASX: PPS).
Australian Ethical Investments also has stakes in companies based outside Australia which include Intel Corporation, Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy SA and Xinjiang Goldwind Science & Technology Co Ltd.
The company reported a net profit after tax of $2.92 million for FY17 with funds under management of $2.15 billion.
Although Australian Ethical Investments' underlying profit was up by 11% on the previous year, its NPAT was down 3% on the $3 million reported for FY16.
But it should be noted that the fund manager was hit by a disappointing unit pricing error that cost it $1.96 million.
Australian Ethical Investments says its NPAT for the 6 months ending 31 December 2017 is expected to be between $1.6 and $2.3 million, a mid-point increase of 245.8% on the same period last year.
In July the fund manager saw its first institutional investment exceeding $100 million from Australian Catholic Super which cited member demand as the reason behind the decision, according to Australian Ethical Investments.
The company's managing director Phil Vernon told shareholders at Australian Ethical Investments AGM that he expects more to follow.
"People are increasingly becoming more socially and environmentally conscious," Mr Vernon said.
"This will only increase with the rise of the millennial generation.
"This generation is far more socially and environmentally aware than their parents."
