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.
portfolio
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!
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.
$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.
Letters from Lauren: December 2023
This fall, we reached a landmark moment, flowing over $100 million in assets into the community since our founding.
Interview with Fibers Fund’s Sarah Kelley and Teju Adisa-Farrar
“The Fibers Fund is designed to be catalytic by taking a holistic approach that helps fiber entrepreneurs receive the right-size capital and targeted support that they need to grow their business.”
San Diego Habitat for Humanity Announces Expanded Investment from Mission Driven Finance
San Diego Habitat for Humanity received new investments through impact asset manager Mission Driven Finance, expanding on their prior collaboration.
Letters from Lauren: November 2023
We’re leaning into radical imagination: ideating how to help route the flood of once-in-a-generation federal resources so that Indigenous and overlooked communities can flourish for years to come.
Vice President Kamala Harris Announces New Investment Fund to Expand Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs of Color
At the Freedman’s Bank Forum, VP Harris and the Initiative for Inclusive Entrepreneurship (IIE) announced new dedicated investment vehicles with a goal of raising $80 million in private and philanthropic capital to leverage federal funding for entrepreneurs of color.
Letters from Lauren: September 2023
Summer has wound down, and we continue to activate a bevy of intentional impact capital vehicles, including closing 5 homes for child care.
Fibers Fund announces first 5 grantees
Meet the first five grantees of the Fibers Fund: Botanical Colors, Fibrevolution, MAHDIYYAH, Kept Studio, and ROOLĒ.
WEPOWER Capital invests nearly $250k in St. Louis Black & Latinx-owned businesses
Since its launch, WEPOWER Capital has invested in 3 St. Louis Black and Latinx-owned companies: Bold Xchange, RooterMan by J3 Enterprises, and Cheryl’s Herbs.
Letters from Lauren: May 2023
We wrote this North Star into the company theory of change: “Financial systems that perpetuate poverty are flipped to systems that eradicate it.” Systems change sounds really cool, but admittedly can be hard to picture. It is thrilling to see it coming into clearer focus, hopefully for you too.
Letters from Lauren: March 2023
It’s a lot of fun and a lot of work reconnecting capital and community. We’re thrilled to have new teammates that are up for doing both. Please help me welcome newcomers from the last few months of busy recruiting.
Letters from Lauren: January/February 2023
This year has started off with strange weather (certainly here in California) and many disheartening reports of violence and discord, but we still believe that centering community in finance can help change those trajectories.