Community Development
Through community development, investors designate part of their portfolio for credit unions, non-profit banks, or funds that make loans to start-up enterprises in low-income communities. Such programs provide capital and technical expertise to persons and groups that are often under-served by traditional lenders. Affordable housing and successful minority-owned businesses are other goals of community investing.
The Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) is inviting congregations to participate in community investing through its matching program! Download the Community Investing Match Form (Word) (PDF).
The UUA has invested in numerous community development projects through the years. Also, the OpenDoor Housing Fund (formerly the Unitarian Universalist Affordable Housing Corporation) has led the way in providing affordable housing in the DC area, as well as across the nation.
Congregations’ Stories
Read stories from the following congregations:
- First Church San Francisco
- Neighborhood Church, Pasadena
- Penobscott Maine Indian Story, by Sassy Sallman, First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church, Kennebunk, Maine. Giving Winds offers a way for Unitarian Universalists and other people of faith to put their values to work in community-based investment programs.
Good General and Community Development Information
- Co-op America—Practical Suggestions for using your consumer and investor power for social change—includes excellent Community Development information
- Social Investment Forum
- SRI World Group, Inc.
- SRI News
- Opportunity Finance Network—CDFI information
- OpenDoor Housing Fund
For more information contact responsibleinvesting @ uua.org.
This work is made possible by the generosity of individual donors and congregations. Please consider making a donation today.
Last updated on Friday, June 17, 2011.
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