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.

Community engagement, Racial equity

Our commitments to being anti-racist

Posted by Wilda Wong
On July 14, 2020

As a financial services firm, we must address long-held racist beliefs in the world of finance and commit to doing better. Here's how we are working on it.

Community engagement, Racial equity

I am a White man. I must do more to fight systemic racism.

Posted by David Lynn
On July 13, 2020

The best anti-racism advice I’ve gotten so far is from my teammate Louise Jordan: Whatever we do, we have to stop recreating the same narrative. Unfortunately, many of the actions we White people take end up reinforcing existing power dynamics and telling the same, false story—that Black people and people of color have inherent risk and problems and that White people must “save” them from themselves.

Community engagement, Community Finance Fellowship

Community Finance Fellowship: Learning to Use Finance as a Tool for Change in a Time of Action

Posted by Wilda Wong
On June 30, 2020

The inaugural cohort of Community Finance Fellows—Louise Jordan, Andrew Moncada, Benson Ochira, Essence Rodriguez, Crystal Sevilla— impress and inspire us every day and it’s not fair to keep their wisdom to ourselves. So we invited them to share their thoughts on how finance can invoke true racial and economic justice. The fellows’ perspectives and lived experiences give us invaluable insight into how we can use finance as a tool for real impact.

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.