Mission Driven Finance submark

Getting capital to flow where it doesn’t but should

 
 
Mission Driven Finance submark

Getting capital to flow where it doesn’t but should

What we do

Using finance as a tool for change

Good businesses often don’t have sufficient, affordable access to capital. That’s why Mission Driven Finance was built with a single purpose—to make it easy to invest in your community.

All the funds and structured products you will find here are designed to close financial gaps in order to close opportunity gaps: impact investment opportunities that are simple, transformative, and aligned.

$1 M

assets into the community

Mobilizing capital that will increase inclusive and equitable access to education, health, and wealth

small businesses & nonprofits supported

“Our loan from Mission Driven Finance provided bridge funding for us to continue our food distribution work and other projects during state budget cuts. Because this was our first loan as an organization, the Mission Driven Finance team was very helpful in answering questions from our board. The process was easy and straightforward.”
Dr. Teresa Smith
CEO & Founder, Dreams for Change (portfolio company)
Teresa Smith, Dreams for Change
"Their team took the time to understand our needs and build relationships, and they were open and transparent throughout the whole loan process. I loved that they involved the Community Finance Fellows in the work, which aligns with our own focus on mentorship."
Kerri Leslie
Founder & CEO, Verity Packaging (portfolio company)
Kerri Leslie, Verity Packaging
“When Mission Driven Finance backed us last year, we only made half a million the year before. If we didn’t have the financing to show that we could start a $1 million contract, we couldn’t have scaled this quickly or this high. The foundation set by Mission Driven Finance led to more lucrative opportunities.”
Wyllie-James Family
Founders, Vested Solutions (portfolio company)
Vested Solutions logo
“Mission Driven Finance asked good questions. The collaboration is very clear—It was more than just a loan; the relationship continues to bring about positive ripple effects.”
Jeff Wiemann
Executive Director, Angels Foster Family Network (portfolio company)
Jeff Wiemann, Angels Foster Family Network
"The process of working with Mission Driven Finance gave us a chance to look at every component of the business so we can be in the strongest position to serve our students."
Bethany Chaffin
Director, Friends of Willow Tree (portfolio company)
Bethany Chaffin, Friends of Willow Tree
"Mission Driven Finance created opportunities for Moniker Group to get healthy debt that we weren't able to get otherwise. The team took a chance on us. The capital put us in a healthier position—we started with 25 employees and are now at 120 (45 of whom are full-time). We are here and still around, having survived COVID and expanding thanks in part to this partnership. We are super grateful for Mission Driven Finance and are looking to the team for another round of funding."
Ryan Sisson
Founder & CEO, Moniker Group (portfolio company)
Ryan Sisson, Moniker
“The Mission Driven Finance loan is a blessing. It allows me to build a financial base and pursue this huge growth opportunity. The funding can help me grow the incubator.”
Natache Muschette
CEO, The Prep Institute, LLC (portfolio company)
Natache Muschette, The Prep Institute
"Your team’s commitment to community and doing good is really inspiring. You stuck with us to make this happen—thankful for your partnership."
Karen Begin
Director of Development, San Diego Habitat for Humanity (portfolio company)
Karen Begin, San Diego Habitat for Humanity
“We initially approached a regular bank for our pre-development loan because of a lower interest rate, but time was running out for us to close a deal. The lending system is not designed for newer developers like us; there are too many requirements that all cost too much time and money to fulfill. We approached Mission Driven Finance and soon realized the interest rate is well worth it. Their team is very responsive, and the loan process was fast and fluid.”
Cyrus Rapinan
Managing Partner & Principal Broker, Tower 999 / Cyrus & Emilia Investments, LLC (portfolio company)
Cyrus Rapinan
“This loan and another that Mission Driven Finance facilitated with Alliance Healthcare Foundation and Union Bank were integral to San Diego Health Connect moving into 2021. Thanks in large part to the bridge funding...We were profitable in 2021 and are now in a sustainable place. It felt like the Mission Driven Finance team wanted us to get through the finish line and they were partners in the process.”
Stephanie Renick
Director of Operations, San Diego Health Connect (portfolio company)
Stephanie Renick, San Diego Health Connect
“It was a dream come true to get a loan with Mission Driven Finance. Getting the funding felt like a feather in our cap because it validated our mission—the special sauce that adds meaning to what we do. It made it that much more real.”
Kristopher Schlesser
Founder, LuckyBolt (portfolio company)
Kris Schlesser, LuckyBolt
"The loan from the LACI Cleantech Debt Fund enabled us to develop our technology and set the stage for our company to grow. With the capital, we were able to buy equipment and make payroll for the 10 people on our team—all while awaiting a reimbursement from a grant. We are thankful to the fund for being there at our greatest time of need."
Wilson Hago
Owner, Hago Energetics (portfolio company)
Wilson Hago, Hago Energetics
"Support from Mission Driven Finance during the pandemic gave us the stability and the platform from which to not only sustain but also to grow our operations. We were able to lead with our mission instead of worrying about how our donors and funders would react to the pandemic. With the investment from Mission Driven Finance, we built momentum that has culminated in the re-establishment of the Linda Vista Community Garden."
Kim Heinle
Executive Director, Bayside Community Center (portfolio company)
Kim Heinle
"We started out with $1 million in revenue in 2019 and now report $5 million in revenue just two years later. We started out with eight employees and now employ 34. This tremendous growth couldn't have happened without the support of partners like Mission Driven Finance. While we are now in a better position to work with banks and other traditional lenders, we would still love to continue to work with Mission Driven Finance for our path of growth and success."
Tri Le
Co-founder & CEO, Microtek (portfolio company)
Tri Le, Microtek
The figures above are accurate as of December 31, 2024.
Get started in growing my revenue

The portfolio

Meet these diverse & impactful entrepreneurs

Shifted Energy

Shifted Energy

A Dozen Cousins

A Dozen Cousins

StarWalker Organic Farms

StarWalker Organic Farms

Relyion

Relyion

Meet Rhayvin (CARE House #11)

Meet Rhayvin (CARE House #11)

Meet Tina (CARE House #10)

Meet Tina (CARE House #10)

Meet Shannon (CARE House #9)

Meet Shannon (CARE House #9)

Just Fare

Just Fare

See who else got funded

Advance Strategy portfolio makeup

Advancing an inclusive economy

%

Nonprofits

%

Owned or led by women

%

Owned or led by people of color

The figures above are accurate as of December 31, 2024.
All information is reported since the inception of the Advance Strategy.
LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR PORTFOLIO

The blog

Check out the latest news

Letters from Lauren: April 2025

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!

Investing in the Care Economy, May 15, 2025

Investing in the Care Economy, May 15, 2025

Apr 23, 2025

Care isn’t just a social necessity that touches all of us at some point in our lives—it’s a massive investment opportunity. Join us as we unpack the state of the care economy and investment opportunities reshaping how we think about care, capital, and community impact.

Trading at the Bay, April 30, 2025

Trading at the Bay, April 30, 2025

Apr 11, 2025

Join us on Wednesday, April 30, at the Intertribal Friendship House in Oakland, CA, for a day of connection and knowledge sharing. The day includes: ✨ Direct access to capital providers ✨ How to get the right type of funding for your business ✨ Connecting with other Native entrepreneurs over breakfast and lunch (catered by Wahpepah’s Kitchen).

Letters from Lauren: April 2025

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!

Investing in the Care Economy, May 15, 2025

Investing in the Care Economy, May 15, 2025

Apr 23, 2025

Care isn’t just a social necessity that touches all of us at some point in our lives—it’s a massive investment opportunity. Join us as we unpack the state of the care economy and investment opportunities reshaping how we think about care, capital, and community impact.

Trading at the Bay, April 30, 2025

Trading at the Bay, April 30, 2025

Apr 11, 2025

Join us on Wednesday, April 30, at the Intertribal Friendship House in Oakland, CA, for a day of connection and knowledge sharing. The day includes: ✨ Direct access to capital providers ✨ How to get the right type of funding for your business ✨ Connecting with other Native entrepreneurs over breakfast and lunch (catered by Wahpepah’s Kitchen).

See what you've missed

The press

As featured in the media

Stanford Social Innovation Review
Forbes
ImpactAlpha
NPR
KPBS
EdSurge logo