Inspire Small/Mid Cap Impact ESG ETF (ISMD) is an exchange-traded fund that invests in small- and mid-cap U.S. companies screened for positive impact on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria using proprietary biblically responsible investing standards. The ETF tracks the Inspire Small/Mid Cap Impact ScoreTM Index, which selects constituents based on metrics such as corporate governance integrity, human rights protections, environmental stewardship, and avoidance of industries involving pornography, abortion, or anti-family entertainment; holdings include branded consumer goods, technology hardware, industrial machinery, and healthcare equipment manufacturers across sectors like industrials, information technology, and consumer discretionary. ISMD offers investors exposure to approximately 100-200 small- and mid-cap equities with market capitalizations typically between $300 million and $15 billion, emphasizing companies demonstrating measurable ESG alignment through data-driven scoring that integrates biblical values with financial performance.
Inspire ETFs, the sponsor and manager of ISMD headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and founded in 2017, operates globally with a focus on the U.S. market through its suite of thematic ETFs including the Inspire 100 ETF (BIBL), Inspire Global Hope ETF (BLES), and Inspire Faithward Mid Cap Momentum ETF (IMTM), serving retail and institutional investors seeking values-aligned portfolios. The firm provides investment advisory services, portfolio management, and educational resources on responsible investing via its website and partnerships with broker-dealers. Geographically, Inspire ETFs distributes products primarily in the United States with select international availability through major exchanges.
Recent developments include the launch of enhanced index methodologies in 2024 to incorporate advanced AI-driven impact scoring for greater precision in ESG filtering, alongside a strategic alliance announced in mid-2025 with a major faith-based financial advisory network to expand distribution to underserved Christian investors. In late 2024, Inspire ETFs completed a seed capital raise exceeding $50 million from institutional partners to support ETF scale-up and product innovation, followed by the acquisition of a complementary quantitative research firm to bolster proprietary data analytics. No significant name changes or reorganizations have occurred, but the firm expanded operations with a new West Coast office in 2025 to enhance client servicing amid growing assets under management surpassing $1 billion across its ETF family.