What We Do

We put finance in the hands of working people without making them put down collateral or take on the burden of debt that may threaten their wellbeing. We do this by using applied research to promote a more inclusive form of ownership — businesses that are collectively run and owned by their workers and community — and tying loan returns to project success to minimize risk, both for our fund and the enterprises we help thrive.

Acting as partners lets us focus on what’s really important: the stability and growth of businesses that are based in and built to serve low-income neighborhoods. It also means that we never take a single dime from the people we work with that doesn’t come from income we’ve helped generate. No community will ever be made poorer by working with us.

That’s what we mean by non-extractive finance — a business loan should be a tool to help you grow, not to rob you blind.