| Pathways for Economic Inclusion |
| I am in a state of grief over the results of last weeks’ U.S. election results and its implications for democracy, economic justice and human rights around the world. Collective Action for Just Finance’s community will maintain our focus on highlighting the extraordinary contributions of the Transformative 25 funds, banks and initiatives that bring integrated capital to communities, entrepreneurs and families creating a strong, regenerative economy. We will encourage the courageous work of fund managers driving capital for the unbanked and underbanked, grassroots communities organizing for their right to Just Finance, AND investors and allies pursuing pathways for economic inclusion and finance that address climate, racial and gender equity. We stand alongside our colleagues in the field who are speaking out and taking action. We applaud Adasina Social Capital’s Rachel Robasciotti who writes about the economics of our time in her love letter to the impact investing community, and As We Sow’s Andy Behar and Danielle Fugere’s ongoing work to ensure that investors have the right to align their assets with their values, and The Freedom Economy organizing legal resources for leading DEI, ESG and impact investors. I return to the words of Southern Reconstruction Fund –Ownership and New Equity Fund FundONE Manager (T25 – 2024) Napoleon Wallace quoted in ImpactAlpha, “Whether you call it ‘middle-out’ or ‘kitchen table’ politics, it’s clear that our economy and electorate have a Reconstruction-sized hole that needs more than just rhetoric to be filled. The assignment hasn’t changed: Money matters.” As we head into the end of this year, I want to thank our community for talking about what matters in our webinars, for nurturing relationships with their borrowers and investors, and for paving the way on how to move money in nonextractive ways. In solidarity with the work ahead, Jen |
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Upcoming Events |
| Identifying Indigenous-led Funds for Catalytic InvestingIndigenous-led funds offer values-aligned investment opportunities that strengthen self-determination and foster mutual benefits for communities, enterprises, and investors. This webinar seeks to highlight and connect investors to diverse and powerful Indigenous-led funds transforming the landscape of business and self-determination. Register |
| Native American Heritage MonthNative Women, the anthem performed by Lyla June and DesiraeHarp capturing the power and impact that Native women have in shaping our society, now and in the future. Premiered at the opening of the Resilience Hub by New Mexico Community Capital IndigiDAO (T25 – 2023)View |
T25 Fund Highlight |
| “We Invest in People: Janis St. Onge and the Flexible Capital Fund” in Vermont Business Magazine. An in-depth profile of of the founder and the fund outlining the unique aspects of this catalytic fund driving investment into local businesses. |
| “She is a national leader in impact investment for those interested in revenue-based financing,” Donovan said. “She’s brilliant in her ability to identify leading-edge growth stage companies that are leading Vermont and our region to a carbon-free economy in a just and equitable way.” “Janice is very good at understanding what form of capital a company needs to help them be successful at their stage of growth.” |
News & Resources |
| Northern Forest Center (T25 – 2021, 2023) and Jen Astone were quoted in the Daily Yonder article “Northern Forest Center Focuses on Rural Middle-Income Housing Needs” by Kristi Eaton. “The center funds its work using a “capital stack”approach, which includes gifts and grants from individuals and both private and public institutions; low interest loans from states; tax credits; and investments from institutions and individuals. Investors in the program can earn fixed rates of return —from 1% to 5% — over a period of up to nine years, according to the organization.”Replace image with a photo related to or associated with the news.Read More |
| Dec. 3, 12 pm ETFair Food Network (T25 2021) with Malik Yakini, Detroit Black Community Food Sovereignty Network on D-Town Farm and Detroit People’s Food Co-op in conversation with Oran Hesterman.ews TitleReplace image with a photo related to or associated with the news.Register Here |
November News Update