Launching an investment fund is expensive and time-consuming; especially for first-time fund managers who don’t come from communities where wealth has historically been concentrated. Inspired by our experiences bringing new funds to market and supporting aspiring managers, we devised a solution called MDF Capital Partners, designed to alleviate common fundraising challenges that impact funds and projects face, particularly gaps in proof, size, and timing.
inclusive economy
New Advance Advisory Committee members help us expand impact across California
These statewide community champions ensure the flow of Advance California capital to underinvested entrepreneurs and nonprofit leaders.
New $10 Million Fund Designed to Accelerate Capital Flow to Underrepresented Fund Managers
To make it easier for underrepresented fund managers to bring forward innovative impact investment strategies, Mission Driven Finance® launched MDF Capital Partners, a national, diversified private credit portfolio aimed at moving capital to historically underinvested communities.
Where to find the MDF team this 2024 conference season
Many of our team will be on the fall conference circuit again. If you see us, be sure to say hi!
Letters from Lauren: July 2024
Our team has had the privilege of presenting at roughly 20 convenings this year on topics as varied as public-private investment, access to capital for small businesses, investing in Indigenous economic development, innovative legal structures to activate philanthropic capital, financing community climate infrastructure, and the future of the care economy. This is what co-creating an inclusive economy looks like!
9th Annual Native CDFI Capital Access Convening
Co-founder Chief Community Officer Lauren Grattan and Senior Director of Indigenous Futures Ted Piccolo recently spoke at the 9th Annual Native CDFI Capital Access Convening.
Everytable franchise owner Susana Cabrera spotlighted
Susana Cabrera, a franchise owner of an Everytable location, is spotlighted in this article from The Association of Financial Development Corporations.
Elevance Health Foundation Announces $10 Million to Launch New Impact Investing Initiative
Elevance Health Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Elevance Health, is launching a new impact investing program to provide loans to small businesses, social enterprises, and entrepreneurs that support health equity in under-resourced communities.
RevHubOC: Women in Impact Investing
Chief Community Officer Lauren Grattan spoke at RevHubOC’s inaugural Women in Impact Investing event.
Milken Global: Exploring Alternative Funding Models for Small Business
Chief Community Officer Lauren Grattan spoke at Milken Global about creating access to capital for underestimated entrepreneurs.
Letters from Lauren: April 2024
Across recent projects, our goal remains the same: Getting capital into the hands of social impact-minded businesses, nonprofits, and initiatives that don’t usually qualify for conventional capital. In other words—flowing capital where it doesn’t, but should.
CDFI boosts small business lending with private partner
Community Reinvestment Fund, USA and Mission Driven Finance are leveraging their respective strengths to solve community finance challenges, including difficulties faced by small businesses in accessing conventional sources of capital.
Fire sign chat: Interview with Co-founders Lauren and David
Co-founders spend so much time problem-solving together that they are often described as being in a work marriage. Sometimes, co-founders may also be actual life partners.
Introducing the Indigenous Futures Fund at the White House
We were at the White House to share about our new Indigenous Futures Fund—designed to accelerate the flow of capital to Native entrepreneurs and Tribal enterprises.
$1 Million from Prebys Foundation to Bolster Child Care
The Conrad Prebys Foundation announces a $1 million program-related investment (PRI) in Care Access Real Estate (CARE) as part of their landmark commitment to invest $100 million over the next ten years advancing the well-being of San Diego.
Letters from Lauren: February 2024
We’re planning to reach ONE BILLION DOLLARS over the next few years, after having crossed $100 million in AIC at the end of 2023.
Transformative Loans: San Diego County’s COVID-19 Nonprofit Loan Program Yields $5.2M Repayment and Reinvestment in Community
The loan program bolstered the work of 26 nonprofits serving the region throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
Supporting diverse emerging fund managers
Lauren Grattan spoke on an Impact Finance Center and Boston Impact Initiative panel on how backbone organizations like Common Future and Mission Driven Finance are driving diversity, equity, and inclusion in the world of emerging managers.