Transform Finance released a briefing documenting needs and solutions for capitalizing Community-Owned Real Estate projects.

Transform Finance, a field-building nonprofit organization, envisions capital as a tool for real, transformative social change. Through thought leadership, trainings, advisory services, and the Transform Finance Investor Network, we support all stakeholders, from activists and community leaders to investors, who pursue that vision. Our approach to the role of capital in society is grounded in social justice and is centered around the three principles of transformative finance: 1. Communities are included in the design, governance, and ownership of investments that affect them 2. Investments aim to leave communities better off by adding more value than they extract 3. Risk and return are fairly balanced among investors, entrepreneurs, and communities Our areas of work: THE TRANSFORM FINANCE INVESTOR NETWORK The Transform Finance Investor Network is a community of practice for asset owners and other finance practitioners seeking to deploy capital for transformative social change. With a commitment of over $2 billion in aligned capital, the Network is a space for investors to explore impact practices, compare approaches among peers, hear underrepresented perspectives, and collaborate on deal structures and analyses. CONNECTING INVESTORS AND COMMUNITIES We support activists and communities seeking to engage with capital as a driver of social change. We provide trainings and workshops on navigating the intersection of finance and human rights, lift up community views to inform investor practices, and support the development of investment models and deal structures that reflect the needs and aspirations of communities. We lift up activist voices where they have been historically excluded. ADVISORY SERVICES AND THOUGHT LEADERSHIP We help investors navigate the impact investing space by helping them define impact theses and approaches, informing and organizing around best practices for impact, crafting investment policy statements, performing impact audits, and identifying pipelines of aligned opportunities from communities. We develop bespoke tools to deepen impact and ensure accountability, such as community-driven metrics and alternative financing structures centered on mission. For more information, visit transformfinance.org.