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Ancient trade routes, modern capital: How ‘capital weaving’ unlocked a regenerative mill project in Indian Country

Dec 4, 2025

In impact finance, the challenge isn’t just finding great projects; it’s unlocking the capital to make them happen. This was the case for regenerative flour company Cairnspring Mills, whose growth had outpaced its infrastructure, and for the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, which had a vision for economic development but needed the right partners to help bring it to life.

Letters from Lauren: December 2025

Dec 2, 2025

Through a rapidly shifting market, we doubled down on what matters most: deploying capital where it creates opportunity and strengthening the plumbing to sustain that flow for years to come.

Scaling Impact, Staying Human

Nov 26, 2025

What if the future of finance wasn’t just more efficient—but more rooted in community, creativity, and real human possibility? Mission Driven Finance Co-founders David Lynn and Lauren Grattan talk about bridging the gap between conventional investing and the bold community-powered ideas that rarely get a fair shot. From flexible private credit to employee ownership, we are showing what’s possible when we build financial systems that center people, not just portfolios.

Where to find the MDF team this 2025 conference season

Sep 24, 2025

Many of our team will be on the fall conference circuit again. If you see us, be sure to say hi!

Mission Driven Finance and Native Lending Partners Invest $9M in Regenerative Flour Mill on Umatilla Indian Reservation

Sep 18, 2025

Mission Driven Finance announced a $9 million investment as part of a larger capital raise for Cairnspring Mills’ new Blue Mountain mill on the Umatilla Indian Reservation in Oregon. The transaction, structured with eight Native Community Development Financial Institutions and other partners, represents a breakthrough in creative financing for Indigenous economic development.

Letters from Lauren: August 2025

Aug 28, 2025

The playing field for emerging fund managers is tilted, with potholes that can trip up even the most promising managers. Our stance: Filling in these potholes positions good fund managers to empower their communities, creating a more inclusive and robust economy.

Mission Driven Finance and Community Capital Management Launch Bold Line Capital: A Short Duration Private Credit Strategy

Aug 5, 2025

Mission Driven Finance® is proud to partner with CCM Strategic Solutions LLC (a non-advisory affiliate of Community Capital Management, LLC) to launch a joint venture called Bold Line Capital, a capital call lending facility for impact and emerging fund managers.

Letters from Lauren: June 2025

Jun 18, 2025

Mission Driven Finance has helped flow $200 million in assets into community, doubling volume in under two years! This capital supports impact-minded entrepreneurs, businesses, nonprofits, and real estate projects, creating an inclusive, robust economy. We’ve moved this money through a variety of vehicles that help us and our stakeholders stay nimble and resilient in a shifting marketplace.

Why the care economy is everyone’s business (and what to do about it)

May 16, 2025

The sandwich generation, or maybe more accurately, the panini generation—crushed by the pressures of caring for both aging parents and young children—feels familiar to many. Yet, the care economy remains a massively underinvested opportunity hiding in plain sight.

“Assets into community” now at $200M, skyrocketing by $100M in two years

May 1, 2025

Our team is celebrating a huge milestone: We’ve disbursed over $200 million in assets into community as of April 30, 2025!

How to get values-aligned funding: Lessons for entrepreneurs from Trading at the Bay

May 1, 2025

All too often, entrepreneurs, especially those building businesses rooted in community and values, hit a wall trying to access capital that aligns with their mission. See our takeaways from speaking with funders and entrepreneurs.

Letters from Lauren: April 2025

Apr 24, 2025

As we celebrated our ninth birthday, we paused to appreciate both our journey and the vibrant community we’ve built together. Here are two events = opportunities to connect with community. Join us!

Where to find the MDF team this 2025 spring conference season

Apr 7, 2025

Many of our team are on the spring conference circuit. If you see us, be sure to say hi!

Mission Driven Finance selected as an ImpactAssets 50™ 2025 Manager

Mar 11, 2025

For the sixth year in a row, Mission Driven Finance is selected for the ImpactAssets IA 50 list, a list of private debt and equity impact investing fund managers representing a broad range of geographies and impact areas of focus.

Milken Institute 2025 Finance Forum

Mar 6, 2025

Mission Driven Finance® Co-founder and Chief Community Officer Lauren Grattan spoke on a panel at the Milken Institute 2025 Finance Forum with Samantha Berg (Next Street), Kim Folsom (Founders First Capital Partners), and Shaolee Sen (JPMorganChase)—moderated by Troy Duffie—about meeting small business owners where they are at, providing right-sized support at the right time.

Anthem Blue Cross Foundation Inaugural Impact Investment to Benefit California Schools and Students

Feb 26, 2025

Anthem Blue Cross Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Anthem Blue Cross of California, announced a $300,000 inaugural impact investment loan to Burlingame-based Psyched Services. Facilitated by impact asset manager, Mission Driven Finance, this funding will support Psyched Services as the organization works to provide vital mental health services to 380 schools in California, directly benefiting more than 3,200 children and families across the Golden State.

Partnership results in first deal for Indigenous Futures Fund and Cheyenne and Arapaho CDC

Jan 31, 2025

The Indigenous Futures Fund—part of the Initiative for Inclusive Entrepreneurship (IIE)—and the Cheyenne and Arapaho Community Development Corporation (CACDC)—a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) serving Native entrepreneurs—partnered on a first deal for both. Both entities, launched in 2024, disbursed capital to Commercial Furniture Refinishers, a small business owned by Cheyenne and Arapaho citizen Marshall Franklin.

Unlocking Tribal economic growth: Sara Barbour and Lauren Grattan on how the Initiative for Inclusive Entrepreneurship is supporting self-determination

Jan 16, 2025

In this conversation between Sara Barbour, the executive director of The Alliance CDFI—a Native community development financial institution chartered under the Yurok Tribe—and Lauren Grattan, the co-founder and chief community officer of Mission Driven Finance®, we explore how Tribal SSBCI funds and the Indigenous Futures Fund are unlocking opportunities in Native communities.

Letters from Lauren: December 2024

Dec 19, 2024

Mission Driven Finance is entering a new era—we are at an exciting inflection point on the path to mobilizing $1 billion of assets into community and cannot wait to fill you in with more details in the new year.

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