Blog: Anchor Institutions
Chicago institutions launch new program with potential to tackle major hurdles of impact investing
In April the MacArthur Foundation, Chicago Community Trust (CCT), and the Calvert Foundation announced Benefit Chicago, an innovative collaboration that aims to mobilize $100 million in impact investments for nonprofits and social enterprises in Chicago. Read More
Northeastern’s “Impact Lending” program shows how universities can support inner city businesses and bolster local economy
Last month Northeastern University announced it was committing $2.5 million in seed funding for a newly created “Impact Lending” program, offered in conjunction with LISC Boston. The seed money will capitalize a $6.5 million revolving loan fund (RLF), and the RLF will enable LISC to provide $1,000 to $1 million loans to women- and minority-owned small businesses located in or around Northeastern University. Read More
What Works: How an Innovative Anchor Partnership is Transforming one Inner City Neighborhood in Columbus
This case study highlights how an anchor institution’s initial efforts around neighborhood revitalization had a snowball effect that ultimately leveraged hundreds of millions of dollars in private investment. The redevelopment and construction of new housing served as the linchpin to a broad-based community effort to stabilize one of Columbus, Ohio’s most distressed inner city communities. Read More
In Wake of Racial Tensions, Baltimore Business Community Doubles Down on Local Investments
In order to maximize community investment, anchor strategies require an all-hands-on-deck approach from the entire business community. In Baltimore, Johns Hopkins is leading the way. Read More
Healing Beyond the Hospital: How Bon Secours’s Holistic Approach to Healthcare Equates to Economic Development
For the nonprofit hospital Bon Secours, providing direct, low-cost medical care to residents is just one of many roles it plays as an anchor institution in Southwest Baltimore. Read More