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Ownership Economy

Sponsored by

Sorenson Impact Foundation

The ownership economy is moving from the margins to the mainstream.

"Over the past several years, the ownership economy has evolved from a niche conversation among co-op advocates and ESOP fanatics into one of the most consequential debates in impact investing — and, increasingly, in mainstream finance."

Roodgally Senatus, ImpactAlpha


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Three pillars, one thesis

How impact capital is rebuilding shared ownership across the economy

Community Ownership

From Philadelphia's Kensington Corridor to Portland's 1803 Fund, place-based investing is proving that neighborhoods can own their own revival. Purpose trusts, community land trusts, and cooperative development funds anchor wealth at the zip code level.

Employee Ownership

The silver tsunami of retiring baby boomers is transferring $10 trillion in business assets. Employee ownership funds have grown from a handful to a roster, competing with private equity for deals, earning pension fund LP allocations, and winning bipartisan support in Congress.

Homeownership

Affordability alone isn't enough. Cities are building systems to preserve homeownership, while funds and housing developers are giving renters a chance to buy the homes they live in. The goal is a genuine stake in housing wealth, not just a cheaper rent payment.


A growing ecosystem

Live Data on Edge

A widening cohort of partners, funds and capital backing shared ownership.


Following the trends

Limited Partners by Type

Foundations and endowments carry the bulk of the capital, with names like Ford, Rockefeller, MacArthur, and Kresge anchoring the field. Banks and development finance institutions add scale around housing credit, while public pensions have crept in almost exclusively through a single manager. Mission-led capital is still doing most of the work; institutional money is engaging selectively, not embracing the theme as a whole.


Recent Allocations

The latest LP commitments into ownership economy funds in Edge

View all 231 in Edge
Limited PartnerGeneral PartnerFund
Bank of Montreal (BMO)Equitable Housing Solutions Fund II
Calvert ImpactLoan Fund
Groundbreak CoalitionAffordable Housing Fund
Sorenson Impact FoundationUtah Dream Fund
Pennsylvania State Small Business Credit InitiativeFund III
Housing Partnership NetworkAffordable Housing Fund
Grounded Solutions NetworkAffordable Housing Fund
Land Back Twin CitiesAffordable Housing Fund


Impact Voices

Perspectives from the field on the ownership economy

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