Economic Justice

The freedom to dream and be financially secure

Anchored by the Community Investment Fund, this program was initially formed as a housing-focused loan fund. By providing access to capital with fewer barriers, the Foundation is able to leverage its fiscal track record and portfolio management experience to combat historic disinvestment in Southern communities, support the essential work of emerging organizations, and seed socially conscious Louisiana ventures that find it difficult to access traditional funding sources due to systemic bias.

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To date, the Economic Justice program has created countless jobs and opportunities by investing in those poised to make deep impact throughout Louisiana, building infrastructure and capacity, and transforming how communities access capital.

INVEST BUILD TRANSFORM

INVEST

In addition to growing its general fund, the Economic Justice Program stewards a program-related investment (PRI) from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. This loan program encourages economic development and direct technical assistance grants to build affordable housing, stabilize neighborhood-serving small businesses and has encouraged the growth and sustainability of retail outlets for fresh, healthy foods in communities.

To read more about FFL’s early investment in revitalizing Broad Street as a vibrant, equitable, and inclusive commercial corridor via the Broad Community Connection.

BUILD

Working in partnership with Propeller, FFL offers the Social Venture Fund (SVF), a $1M loan fund addressing social and environmental disparities in New Orleans. SVF work is currently focused on creating innovative models to scale the systemic solutions of FFL’s partners focused on water, food, health, sanitation, and entrepreneurs of color. Flexible underwriting make these loans the perfect companion to other FFL program support. The program previously managed the Culturepreneur Fund, providing support and capital to develop or expand the business elements of arts-based and cultural practice businesses.

To see if you are eligible for the Social Venture Fund email: fund@gopropeller.org

TRANSFORM

As with other programs, FFL’s Economic Justice work leverages existing partnerships to make the broadest impact. Working with the SURDNA Foundation and the New Orleans Redevelopment Authority, FFL loans contributed to a portion of upgrades for 40 façades on four commercial corridors across New Orleans. FFL is a partner in the work of InvestNOLA, which helps to scale minority-owned small businesses in collaboration with the New Orleans Business Alliance.