Roy Swan Urges Advisers to Embrace Positive-Sum Investing

Roy Swan, the Ford Foundation’s director of Mission Investments, has led a program created after the philanthropy pledged in April 2017 to commit up to $1 billion of its then-$12 billion endowment over 10 years to mission-related investments. The portfolio initially targeted affordable housing in the United States and access to financial services in emerging markets. Swan says the model challenges shareholder-first capitalism by pursuing measurable social benefits alongside prudent, risk-adjusted returns.

Wiley published Swan’s 288-page book, “Positive Sum: How Zero-sum Thinking Broke Capitalism — and How We Can Fix It,” on July 21, 2026. The book estimates that zero-sum thinking cost the U.S. economy $50 trillion over 30 years and costs businesses $600 billion annually, while citing investment strategies that delivered 28% returns. Swan is urging financial advisers and asset managers to direct more client capital toward affordable housing, financial inclusion and quality jobs.