Monthly Archives: June 2025

Global Launch of AI-Powered Common Growth Fund to Support Social and Faith-Based Enterprises

Rome: June 13, 2025 – IMMEDIATE RELEASE

A bold new initiative to support social and faith-based enterprises was officially launched today at the Shape the World Summit 2025, held at the Pontifical University of Urbaniana in Vatican City.

In response and in loving memory of Pope Francis, who at the Vatican in 2017 called on the global Economy of Communion to change the rules of the socio-economic system, Consulus, Religious Freedom & Business Foundation, and the ForB Foundation of the United Kingdom announced the launch of the AI-Powered Common Growth Fund.

This innovative initiative seeks to raise 100 million USD to provide capital to social enterprises through a merit-based, AI-powered platform also known as ComGrowAI. Using technology to quickly evaluate enterprises based on governance, business model, impact, and capital needs, the fund ensures that support goes to those who can make the greatest difference, efficiently and at lower cost.

The fund is built on two key pillars:

1. 1. The Faith-Friendly REDI Workplace Index to ensure enterprises are open to diverse faith identities at work.
2.  The 7 Impact Measurements inspired by the principles of the Economy of Communion, ensuring holistic evaluation of purpose, people, planet, and shared prosperity.

The launch was witnessed by Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization, underscoring the initiative’s alignment with Catholic social values and the broader vision of the Jubilee Year of Hope.

“This is our most impactful response to the late Pope Francis who called us in the global economy of communion to change the rules of the social-economic system. Too many faith-based social enterprises are not able to access large funds to truly make a difference, we are here to change that with this initiative” – Lawrence Chong, Group CEO, Consulus

A Collaborative Response to Emerging Challenges

The Common Growth Fund is part of the Shape the World Initiative, a long-term effort by Consulus to build inclusive economies through creative leadership and shared purpose. Together with Religious Freedom & Business Foundation and The ForB Foundation, the fund seeks to address critical structural gaps, particularly in access to capital, technology, and cross-sector collaboration faced by social and faith-rooted enterprises.

“The common growth fund is about bringing hope and opportunity to challenged communities. Those who have experienced FoRB violations deserve opportunities to provide for families, to receive education and to contribute to their community. Faith or belief isn’t a problem – it is a solution.”

– Matthew Jones, Member Board of Trustees, The ForB Foundation,

The ForB Foundation’s commitment reflects a growing consensus among values-based institutions: that freedom of belief and inclusive economic opportunity must go hand in hand. This fund is not only about financial investment but about enabling systems that respect dignity and diversity at work and in enterprise.

“As Pope Leo has challenged the world to shape the 4th industrial AI revolution for good, this includes making workplaces human-centered and faith-friendly. By including our Faith-Friendly REDI Workplace Index as part of the criteria for what we expect from those we invest in, we hope to help the future of work focus on people’s flourishing not only profit.”

– Dr Brian Grim, Founding President, Religious Freedom & Business Foundation (RFBF)

Join Syed Rahim, Co-Chair Exec Board, CUBE Network, to see how the work of Muslim employee networks can inform other faith networks.

About

Syed Rahim is a Senior Change Leader with an astute understanding of Operational Excellence. He is a Powerlisted, Corporate Belonging Champion.

CUBE Network is an umbrella network for Muslim Employee Resource Groups and Staff Faith Networks covering the interests of Muslim employees. Our roundtable forum facilitates a cohesive, united community for corporate Diversity and Inclusion. CUBE Network provides support to new and existing Muslim Employee Networks, and amplifies Muslim professional acheivement within the City and beyond. 🔸Established in 2011, spanning 100+ Employers (c. 10,000 Muslim professionals) 🔸Successful charitable campaigns, raising over £1million for reputable partner charities 🔸Supports development of corporate and professional Muslim Networks 🔸Champions Diversity and Inclusion causes, providing consultation to organisations 🔸Supports progression of Muslim Professional Networks globally. We are not funded by any specific parties, groups or organisations both politically and professionally. Our board consists of members made up of senior finance professionals, consultants and lawyers, all offering their support on a voluntary basis.

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MIT-WPU’s Dr. Rahul Karad Honoured with 2025 Global Business and Interfaith Peace Award at Prestigious International Forum in Washington, D.C

Washington, D.C : Dr. Rahul Vishwanath Karad, Executive president MIT World Peace University, was recently awarded the 2025 Global Business and Interfaith Peace Award at the Inaugural IRF Builders Forum & Roger Williams IRF Awards Dinner held in Washington, D.C.

Organized by the International Religious Freedom Secretariat, the two-day forum brought together individuals and institutions working to promote religious freedom and mutual understanding across communities and cultures. The award recognizes individuals who have made meaningful contributions at the intersection of business, education, and interfaith peacebuilding. Read full article.

Also see article by India Education Diary.

Brian Grim shares his calling to be a missionary when he was only 4-years-old and how that eventually led him to Catholicism, but also a life as an educator in the former Soviet Union, China, Central Asia, the Middle East, and Europe from 1982-2002. Eventually his research in economics reveals that religious freedom is good for business. Brian J. Grim, Ph. D. (Penn State), is the founding president of the Religious Freedom & Business Foundation and works with Fortune 500 companies to include religion and belief as part of their belonging initiatives.