(858) 880-0252 [email protected]
Mission Driven Finance submark

Getting capital to flow where it doesn’t but should

 
 
Mission Driven Finance submark

Getting capital to flow where it doesn’t but should

What we do

Using finance as a tool for change

Good businesses often don’t have sufficient, affordable access to capital. That’s why Mission Driven Finance was built with a single purpose—to make it easy to invest in your community.

All the funds and structured products you will find here are designed to close financial gaps in order to close opportunity gaps: impact investment opportunities that are simple, transformative, and aligned.

$62M

assets into the community

Mobilizing capital that will increase inclusive and equitable access to education, health, and wealth

small businesses & nonprofits supported

{"Unlike other lending institutions that appear fixated on the bottom line, Mission Driven Finance seemed driven to propel our mission forward. Because of them, that’s exactly what we’ll do."
Marlayna Bollinger
Executive Director, Skinny Gene Project (portfolio company)
{"Their team took the time to understand our needs and build relationships, and they were open and transparent throughout the whole loan process. I loved that they involved the Community Finance Fellows in the work, which aligns with our own focus on mentorship."
Kerri Leslie
Founder & CEO, Verity Packaging (portfolio company)
{"We started out with $1 million in revenue in 2019 and now report $5 million in revenue just two years later. We started out with eight employees and now employ 34. This tremendous growth couldn't have happened without the support of partners like Mission Driven Finance. While we are now in a better position to work with banks and other traditional lenders, we would still love to continue to work with Mission Driven Finance for our path of growth and success."
Tri Le
Co-founder & CEO, Microtek (portfolio company)
{“This loan and another that Mission Driven Finance facilitated with Alliance Healthcare Foundation and Union Bank were integral to San Diego Health Connect moving into 2021. Thanks in large part to the bridge funding...We were profitable in 2021 and are now in a sustainable place. It felt like the Mission Driven Finance team wanted us to get through the finish line and they were partners in the process.”
Stephanie Renick
Director of Operations, San Diego Health Connect (portfolio company)
{“It was a dream come true to get a loan with Mission Driven Finance. Getting the funding felt like a feather in our cap because it validated our mission—the special sauce that adds meaning to what we do. It made it that much more real.”
Kristopher Schlesser
Founder, LuckyBolt (portfolio company)
{"Your team’s commitment to community and doing good is really inspiring. You stuck with us to make this happen—thankful for your partnership."
Karen Begin
Director of Development, San Diego Habitat for Humanity (portfolio company)
{“Our loan from Mission Driven Finance provided bridge funding for us to continue our food distribution work and other projects during state budget cuts. Because this was our first loan as an organization, the Mission Driven Finance team was very helpful in answering questions from our board. The process was easy and straightforward.”
Dr. Teresa Smith
CEO & Founder, Dreams for Change (portfolio company)
{“Mission Driven Finance asked good questions. The collaboration is very clear—It was more than just a loan; the relationship continues to bring about positive ripple effects.”
Jeff Wiemann
Executive Director, Angels Foster Family Network (portfolio company)
{“We initially approached a regular bank for our pre-development loan because of a lower interest rate, but time was running out for us to close a deal. The lending system is not designed for newer developers like us; there are too many requirements that all cost too much time and money to fulfill. We approached Mission Driven Finance and soon realized the interest rate is well worth it. Their team is very responsive, and the loan process was fast and fluid.”
Cyrus Rapinan
Managing Partner & Principal Broker, Tower 999 / Cyrus & Emilia Investments, LLC (portfolio company)
{"Mission Driven Finance created opportunities for Moniker Group to get healthy debt that we weren't able to get otherwise. The team took a chance on us. The capital put us in a healthier position—we started with 25 employees and are now at 120 (45 of whom are full-time). We are here and still around, having survived COVID and expanding thanks in part to this partnership. We are super grateful for Mission Driven Finance and are looking to the team for another round of funding."
Ryan Sisson
Founder & CEO, Moniker Group (portfolio company)
{"Mission Driven Finance was very helpful; their team understood what was important for ChargeNet Stations as a startup. We were happy with the interest rate, and found the loan structure, payment terms, and covenants very easy."
Michael Zimmerman
Chief Financial Officer, ChargeNet Stations (portfolio company)
{"The process of working with Mission Driven Finance gave us a chance to look at every component of the business so we can be in the strongest position to serve our students."
Bethany Chaffin
Director, Friends of Willow Tree (portfolio company)
The figures above are accurate as of January 31, 2023
Get started in growing my revenue

The portfolio

Meet these diverse & impactful borrowers

The VAPA Foundation

The VAPA Foundation

RDA Consulting

RDA Consulting

Nana Joes Granola

Nana Joes Granola

Mirka Investments

Mirka Investments

Local Ocean Seafoods

Local Ocean Seafoods

Creekside Pointe

Creekside Pointe

Bellegarde Bakery

Bellegarde Bakery

Buds and Blossoms Preschool

Buds and Blossoms Preschool

See who else got funded

Advance Strategy portfolio makeup

Advancing an inclusive economy

%

Nonprofits

%

Owned or led by women

%

Owned or led by people of color

The figures above are accurate as of December 31, 2022.
All information is cap-weighted and is reported since the inception of the Advance Strategy.
Learn more about our portfolio

The blog

Check out the latest news

Letters from Lauren: March 2023

Letters from Lauren: March 2023

Mar 8, 2023

It’s a lot of fun and a lot of work reconnecting capital and community. We’re thrilled to have new teammates that are up for doing both. Please help me welcome newcomers from the last few months of busy recruiting.

Letters from Lauren: January/February 2023

Letters from Lauren: January/February 2023

Feb 3, 2023

This year has started off with strange weather (certainly here in California) and many disheartening reports of violence and discord, but we still believe that centering community in finance can help change those trajectories.

Letters from Lauren: March 2023

Letters from Lauren: March 2023

Mar 8, 2023

It’s a lot of fun and a lot of work reconnecting capital and community. We’re thrilled to have new teammates that are up for doing both. Please help me welcome newcomers from the last few months of busy recruiting.

Letters from Lauren: January/February 2023

Letters from Lauren: January/February 2023

Feb 3, 2023

This year has started off with strange weather (certainly here in California) and many disheartening reports of violence and discord, but we still believe that centering community in finance can help change those trajectories.

See what you've missed

The press

As featured in national & local media

Stanford Social Innovation Review
Forbes
NPR
KPBS
ImpactAlpha