Imagine a program that could take a single investment and multiply its impact. What if that same program also gave nonprofits access to resources that helped them make better financial decisions and function more effectively? That is exactly what you get when you work with Forward Community Investments.

How do we do it? Investments made in Forward Community Investments are converted to low-interest loans for nonprofits in need. As loans are repaid, they are continually recycled to help nonprofit organizations achieve their objectives. It's a self-propelling cycle that gives nonprofits the chance to borrow so communities can grow.

Forward Community Investments is one of 14 community development financial institutions (CDFIs) in Wisconsin working to grow communities that are both socially and economically successful. Click here to learn more about CDFIs.

Mission
Forward Community Investments is a community development loan fund that provides financial and technical resources to organizations that serve to enhance the lives of low-wealth persons and communities in Wisconsin. Forward Community Investments strives to accomplish the following goals:

• Stimulate and encourage the stabilization and revitalization of neighborhoods and communities.
  Increase the supply and improve the condition of affordable housing.
• Support the growth needs of new and existing community-based enterprises that promote economic stability or improve the supply or quality of job opportunities.
• Provide technical assistance to nonprofits to increase their capacity to undertake and complete funded projects.
• Educate the public about the housing and economic needs of underserved populations.

Positive Community Growth
In fourteen years, we've disbursed $14 million dollars to nonprofits. These loans have created and sustained more than 520 units of affordable homes, provided affordable childcare for about 1,000 children, and have affected approximately 315,000 low-wealth individuals. Our careful management of investment dollars facilitates giving that has far greater impact than traditional donating.

This innovative approach to social investing was developed by a group of Dane County residents who wanted to make a lasting impact on their community. The investment they made more than ten years ago has compounded over time, and is still used today to affect positive change.

Here are just a few of the ways Forward Community Investments has taken investments and turned them into an opportunity to borrow so our community can grow.

Membership Affiliations