Ave Maria Mutual Funds Celebrates 25 Years of Morally Responsible Investing and Announces the Launch of the Ave Maria Undiscovered Fund

PLYMOUTH, Mich.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Ave Maria Mutual Funds, the largest family of pro-life Catholic‑oriented mutual funds in the United States, proudly celebrates its 25th anniversary as a leader in morally responsible investing. Founded with its first fund in 2001, Ave Maria Mutual Funds has grown into a nationally recognized investment family dedicated to helping investors align their financial goals with the core moral teachings of the Catholic Church.

Over the past quarter‑century, the fund family advised by Schwartz Investment Counsel, Inc. (the Firm), established in 1980, has expanded to include a diverse range of equity and fixed‑income offerings, screened for both financial strength and adherence to pro‑life and pro‑family values. Today, the funds continue to serve those who wish to invest without compromising their moral principles.

Introducing the Ave Maria Undiscovered Fund

Coinciding with this milestone anniversary, Ave Maria Mutual Funds is pleased to announce the launch of the Ave Maria Undiscovered Fund (AVEUX). The Fund invests in companies believed by the Adviser to offer undiscovered value and the potential for long-term capital appreciation. The managers may invest in companies of all sizes but will emphasize those with a market capitalization of less than $10 billion. The investment goal of the fund is long-term capital appreciation. Its portfolio management team includes Ryan M. Kuyawa, CFA as the lead manager and Sean C. Gaffney, CFA, and James T. Peregoy, CFA as co-managers.

A Legacy of Integrity and Performance

For 25 years, Ave Maria Mutual Funds has distinguished itself by:

• Screening all investments to exclude companies involved in abortion, pornography, embryonic stem cell research, or anti‑family practices as judged by its Catholic Advisory Board.
• Combining moral criteria with proven investment discipline, emphasizing financially sound companies with attractive valuations and growth potential.
• Serving both individual and institutional investors seeking to align their financial stewardship with their faith.

“When Tom Monaghan and Bowie Kuhn came to me with the idea to start Ave Maria Mutual Funds, a fundamental principle was that investors shouldn’t have to choose between strong financial performance and their moral convictions,” said George P. Schwartz, CFA, the Firm’s Founder and Executive Chairman. “As we celebrate 25 years of service, the launch of the Ave Maria Undiscovered Fund represents our continued dedication to meeting the evolving needs of our faithful shareholders.”

About Ave Maria Mutual Funds:

Ave Maria Mutual Funds is the largest family of Catholic mutual funds in the U.S with over $3.7 billion in assets under management. The eight no-load funds invest in companies that do not violate core values and teachings of the Catholic Church. The two largest funds are the $1.2 billion Ave Maria Growth Fund (Ticker: AVEGX) and the $926 million Ave Maria Rising Dividend Fund (Ticker: AVEDX). For more information about Ave Maria Mutual Funds, call 1-866-AVE-MARIA (866-283-6274) or visit www.avemariafunds.com

Schwartz Investment Counsel, Inc., a registered investment adviser established in 1980, serves as investment adviser for Ave Maria Mutual Funds and invests only in securities that meet the Funds’ investment and religious requirements. The returns may be lower or higher than if decisions were based solely on investment considerations. The method of security selection may or may not be successful and the Funds may underperform or outperform the stock market as a whole. All mutual funds are subject to market risk, including possible loss of principal. The Funds’ investments in small and mid-capitalization companies could experience greater volatility than investments in large capitalization companies.

Request a prospectus, which includes investment objectives, risks, fees, charges and expenses and other information that you should read and consider carefully before investing. The prospectus can be obtained by calling 1‐866‐283‐6274 or it can be viewed at www.avemariafunds.com. Distributed by Ultimus Fund Distributors, LLC. Schwartz Investment Counsel, Inc. is not affiliated with Ultimus Fund Distributors, LLC.