Get Impact Investments for Community Growth & Innovation
Access affordable capital for developers, nonprofits and lenders fueling community progress.
Community Innovators:
Don’t Let Access to Capital Stand in Your Way
Traditional lenders prioritize maximizing financial return and minimizing risk, which overlooks and undervalues opportunities with social impact potential. Meanwhile, nonprofits, emerging property developers and other mission-based and community-focused businesses struggle to secure the funding they need. Without affordable financing, innovation and critical projects stall, opportunities are lost, and the cycle of inequity continues.
Affordable Housing Development Out of Reach
High interest rates and construction costs make new affordable housing impossible to build.
Nonprofits Stuck Without Space
Without funding for infrastructure and expansion, nonprofits can’t maximize their impact or create spaces that serve the community.
Inequity Blocking Opportunity
Nonprofit leaders and historically excluded developers face systemic barriers to securing funding, contracts and partnerships.
Community Lenders Underfunded
Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) are ready to support underserved borrowers – but without enough funding, too many promising projects are left behind.
Direct Investments & Financing Solutions for High-Impact Projects
Impact investing is a strategy that channels investments into projects prioritizing positive social impact alongside financial return. For many nonprofits, property developers, and mission-driven businesses and lenders, affordable financing is the missing piece turning bold visions into tangible progress.
Through impact investments, KZCF can help bridge that gap — funding mission-aligned infrastructure projects, expanding access to capital for organizations and developers, empowering communities, fueling innovation, and bringing changemaking projects to life.
Community Impact Investment Priorities
Impact investing is not just funding but true community partnership. KZCF’s accessible financing options support enterprises that combine financial sustainability with deep community impact. This includes housing developers, community lending institutions, and mission-driven for-profit or nonprofit enterprises.
Qualified organizations must have at least two years of operating history, and the proposed project must be located in Kalamazoo County or directly benefit its residents. Additionally, applicants must demonstrate community impact potential consistent with our mission, vision and WHEN priorities:
Wealth
Education
Housing
Neighborhoods
Economic Equity & Opportunity
We expand economic opportunity, particularly for people of color and historically excluded communities, by strategically investing with dedicated lending partners to support organizations and businesses often overlooked by traditional financing. This collaborative effort aims to close wealth gaps and create sustainable pathways to prosperity.
We prioritize organizations and projects that demonstrate:
- Ownership or leadership by people of color and historically excluded groups.
- A commitment to creating quality jobs and economic mobility.
- Inclusive business practices that promote equity in hiring, wages and career advancement.
Community Infrastructure
Strong neighborhoods need strong institutions. We provide financing for nonprofit infrastructure and community spaces that enhance access to essential services, education and economic opportunities.
We prioritize lenders, organizations and projects that demonstrate:
- A direct benefit to under-resourced communities.
- Efforts to strengthen civic, cultural or educational spaces.
- Collaboration with local residents to shape development decisions.
Collaboration to Maximize Impact
We recognize that transformational change happens through partnerships. We invest in projects and people that work collaboratively to address systemic challenges and leverage collective resources for greater impact.
We prioritize lenders, organizations and projects that demonstrate:
- Cross-sector partnerships that enhance community-wide outcomes.
- Innovative approaches to financing and development.
- A commitment to long-term sustainability and shared success.
Collaboration to Achieve Shared Outcomes
Safe, stable and affordable housing is fundamental to a thriving community. We support projects that increase the supply of housing units while prioritizing equitable access for residents.
We prioritize lenders, property developers and projects that demonstrate:
- A clear focus on affordability for low- and moderate-income households.
- Strategies to reduce barriers to homeownership for people of color and historically excluded groups.
- Partnerships that engage diverse contractors, builders and suppliers
Advancing Education
Access to a high-quality education leads to a future filled with possibilities. KZCF seeks to support established organizations and strategic partnerships that enhance education attainment and skill development and foster equitable economic empowerment and long-term community well-being through sustainable, impactful models.
We prioritize lenders, organizations and projects that demonstrate:
- A thoughtful inclusion of daycare facilities or other dedicated educational spaces within their developments.
- A focus on increasing or improving educational services to the community.
- A commitment to financial education for small businesses and entrepreneurs alongside their loan programs.
Inclusive Growth & Workforce Development
Economic growth should benefit everyone. We support projects that intentionally engage and uplift the local workforce, ensuring that those who build our community can also thrive within it.
We prioritize organizations and projects that demonstrate:
- Hiring and contracting practices that create opportunities for people of color and historically excluded business owners and workers.
- Workforce training and skill-building initiatives.
- A commitment to fair wages and worker protections.
Flexible Financing Options
For Community Champions & Champions in the Making
Investing in community changemakers means taking the time to consider opportunities for potential social impact and embracing a “no one-size-fits-all” mindset. We draw from a variety of financing methods to thoughtfully structure support to best fit each project.
Direct Loans
Often with flexible terms and below-market interest ratesOffering & How It Works
We provide direct financial support through loans, often with flexible terms like below-market interest rates. This capital is aimed at specific initiatives such as housing developments, nonprofit infrastructure, intermediary lending and other high-impact projects that drive significant community benefit.
Intended Target
Developers, nonprofits, lending institutions and other established organizations.
Example
A below-market loan to the Kilgore Apartments project is helping to renovate and convert a hotel into 83 units of affordable housing.
Intermediary Investments
Through CDFI, credit union and other lending partnershipsOffering & How It Works
We invest in financial intermediaries like CDFIs and mission-driven lenders, enabling them to provide vital loans that expand access to capital for those not typically served by traditional lenders.
Intended Target
CDFIs, credit unions, banks and other nonprofit or mission-driven lending institutions.
Example
A below-market loan to Illinois Facilities Fund (IFF) unlocked additional lending capital for local nonprofits.
Cash Collaterals & Guarantees
To enhance credit and help secure traditional lendingOffering & How It Works
We provide credit enhancement by pledging cash as collateral or offering guarantees to help unlock traditional lending capital for projects that may struggle to secure financing.
Intended Target
Nonprofits, developers and other mission-focused entities seeking capital through traditional lenders.
Example
A cash collateral for Edison Community Partners helped secure a line of credit to fund affordable housing.
Equity Investments
Such as venture capital, real estate and real assetsOffering & How It Works
We consider private equity investments in forms such as venture capital, real estate and real assets with strong potential for social impact and high rates of return.
Intended Target
Equity fund managers seeking capital for ventures that foster community benefit.
Example
The Kalamazoo Early Impact Fund (KEIF), a venture capital fund specializing in supporting underrepresented founders.
Bonus!
KZCF welcomes proposals and pitches for innovative investment opportunities that align with our mission, and we’re open to custom investment options and cooperative lending on a case-by-case basis for projects that may not fit standard financing models.
Investment & Partnership Perks
Flexible, Adaptive Application Process
Our process starts with a conversation to understand the community impact potential of your work and see which financing methods and terms can best support you.
Low-Cost Financing
Our financing is often offered below market rates and with flexible terms designed to fill capital gaps and deliver more value to the Kalamazoo community.
Connection to Supporters
KZCF and our Investment team can help you make connections with partners and supporters that can help boost your project or organization’s success
Breaking Barriers to Make Affordable Housing a Reality
A few short years ago, Jamauri Bogan was a star running back, wearing #32 for the Western Michigan University Broncos. Now he is the trailblazing owner and CEO behind Bogan Developments, a real estate company launched in 2020.
Investment Portfolio Snapshot
KZCF Impact Investees Leading Progress Across Kalamazoo County
Open Roads
Bike programs and youth development
LodgeHouse
Affordable housing and on-site supportive services
Kilgore Apartments
(Odyssey Hotels)
Planned renovated affordable housing complex
Martin Street Houses
(Valley Vision Construction)
Planned single-family homes in Kalamazoo’s Northside neighborhood
Arcadia Festival Site
Enhanced public space and pedestrian bridge
The Creamery
Affordable housing and 24-hour daycare
Countdown to Impact
Book a Consultation
Our easy inquiry form initiates a conversation with Todd Kuntz, our senior investment officer to assess scope, viability and mission alignment. Once we receive your inquiry, we’ll reach out to you for scheduling.
Alignment Review & Due Diligence
Pending strong financial viability and impact priority alignment, we can proceed with a thorough financial underwriting process. This means presenting your opportunity for formal approval from our internal review bodies, including our Impact Investment Committee and leadership.
Approval & Closing
Once approved, we can move to the closing phase, work with legal counsel to prepare documentation, review and sign investment contracts, and let the fun(ding) begin!
Get a conversation started — Todd and our Investment team are ready to help.
Be a Part of Kalamazoo’s Boldest Fund Yet — Give Today
KZCF’s Social Impact Investment Fund is a first-of-its-kind fund dedicated to impact investments. Be among the trailblazing supporters making contributions big and small to fuel community innovation and solve some of Kalamazoo County’s most pressing issues.