Borrowers, Community engagement, Community Finance Fellowship, Gender equity, News, Racial equity, Team

What we learned in our very first Community Finance Fellowship

Posted by Wilda Wong
On March 30, 2021

We are proud to announce that the first cohort of the Community Finance Fellowship—Louise Jordan, Benson Ochira, Andrew Moncada, Essence Rodriguez, and Crystal Sevilla—is graduating.

Advancing economic opportunity, Borrowers, Community engagement, Investors, News, Racial equity

Local Impact Investment Firm Mission Driven Finance Marks 5th Anniversary with $11 Million Milestone; Calls for New Funding Applicants In Order to Double That Amount by End of 2021

Posted by Wilda Wong
On March 2, 2021

Marking two major milestones, we are celebrating our fifth anniversary this month as well as having disbursed $11 million in assets to the small businesses and nonprofits dedicated to social change in the region.

Advancing economic opportunity, Borrowers, Community engagement, Investors, News, Racial equity

Living Cities Announces Capital Investment in Mission Driven Finance To Increase Access to Growth Capital and Support For Social Impact Small Businesses and Nonprofits

Posted by Wilda Wong
On March 2, 2021

Living Cities’ Blended Catalyst Fund (BCF) announces a $2 million commitment to Advance, a regional, inclusive place-based fund managed by impact investment firm Mission Driven Finance.

Advancing economic opportunity, Affordable housing, Borrowers, Community engagement, Early childhood, Immigrant and New American rights, News, Social determinants of health

First $1.5M Deployed to San Diego County Nonprofits Hit by COVID-19

Posted by Wilda Wong
On October 5, 2020

San Diego-based impact investment fund manager Mission Driven Finance has deployed $1.5M in loans to San Diego County nonprofits that have been impacted by COVID-19, thanks to $5M in seed funding from The San Diego Foundation as part of the San Diego County COVID-19 Small Business & Nonprofit Loan Program.

Advancing economic opportunity, Borrowers, Community engagement, Investors

Building a New, More Equitable Normal for Small Business and Nonprofits

Posted by Tyana Smith
On June 10, 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted and exacerbated the effects of centuries of racist policies. If we don’t act fast, this crisis will rob our communities of vibrancy, diversity, and strength for many generations to come. The current global recognition of the deep roots of racism reinforces how critical it is to use all the tools in one’s toolbox to advance racial justice. As such, finance can and should be used as a tool for change in advancing economic and health equity in our communities. Together, we can turn the tide.

Advancing economic opportunity, Borrowers, Community engagement, Early childhood, Immigrant and New American rights

Small Businesses & Nonprofits Respond to COVID-19

Posted by Tyana Smith
On April 27, 2020

The COVID-19 crisis has forced small businesses and nonprofits around the world, including our Advance borrowers, to forget business as usual and respond in creative ways to best serve their community and survive—quickly. From delivering essential household goods and locally sourced food to staying connected with families by livestreaming nature walks, these businesses and organizations demonstrate the flexibility, resilience, and heart that make small businesses critical for communities to thrive.

Advancing economic opportunity, Borrowers, Social determinants of health

Finding the way back through evidence-based holistic treatment

Posted by Wilda Wong
On April 21, 2020

The Way Back uses trauma-informed care in its client activities—clinical groups, education groups, mindfulness meditation, relapse prevention groups, codependency groups, anger management, emotional regulation, and individual psychotherapy. “We are training men to be better fathers, better husbands, better employees, to stay out of prison, to work, to communicate,” says The Way Back Executive Director Chris Thomas, a licensed therapist who has been sober for 25 years. “Men are an important part of family structure, and addiction is a family disease.”

Borrowers, Resources

COVID-19 Letter to Borrowers

Posted by Lauren Grattan
On March 18, 2020

We're sharing with you—our community—the same message for small businesses and nonprofits that we provided to our active borrowers. During this challenging time, stay true to your values and support each other. None of us will come out of this unchanged. See our COVID-19 resources for small businesses and nonprofits.

Advancing economic opportunity, Borrowers, Resources

5 Things to Know About Impact-Based Loans

Posted by Tyana Smith
On February 20, 2020

If your business is too big for microfinance and SBA loan but too small for traditional banks, our impact-based loans can fill the gap.

Advancing economic opportunity, Borrowers, Early childhood, Gender equity

Closing education gaps with creative capital

Posted by Tyana Smith
On August 18, 2019

Our flexible, personalized financing approach allowed us to provide Friends of Willow Tree a $100,000 bridge loan that they used for expenses at the start of the school year, keeping the program affordable and accessible for their majority low-income students.

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