Community Finance
Muni Impact | April 22, 2024
Michigan raises $53 million to green its healthcare services
Editor’s note: ImpactAlpha has partnered with HIP Investor to highlight upcoming bond issues with social and/or environmental significance. Disclaimer: Nothing in this post or on …
Deploy! | April 10, 2024
With bridges, buses and bike lanes, Reconnecting Communities rebuilds ‘civic muscles’ along with neighborhoods
The Biden administration’s Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods program was conceived with goals as lofty as any in recent memory – to stitch together …
Catalytic Capital | April 9, 2024
The impact investing opportunity in Puerto Rico’s economic comeback
In one of Puerto Rico’s poorest neighborhoods, you can find what economists might call a “green shoot.” The plan for Oasis, a six-acre, …
Muni Impact | April 5, 2024
Billions to trillions: How municipal bonds can multiply the reach of the US ‘green bank’
To achieve stated climate goals, the U.S. government is embarking on what should be the largest coordination of private and public capital aimed …
Deploy! | April 4, 2024
Investors ready products to amplify US ‘green bank’ funding
The Biden administration’s “national green bank” program will come into focus today as vice president Kamala Harris and EPA chief Michael Regan are …
Deploy! | April 3, 2024
EPA set to announce Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund awards for $20 billion ‘green bank’
It’s finally here. The Environmental Protection Agency is expected to announce key awards for its $27 billion Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund tomorrow at …
Deploy! | March 28, 2024
EPA’s new partners plot a $27 billion path to a US green bank
The announcement of the winners of “green bank” funding under the Inflation Reduction Act is so close at hand that the Environmental Protection …
Podcasts | March 26, 2024
Impact(ed): An introduction to CDFIs and equitable community lending
Impact(ed) is part of the ImpactAlpha Podcast Network, a set of shows hosted and produced by leading voices in impact and sustainable investing, …
Muni Impact | March 22, 2024
How green banks are blending finance for community infrastructure and greenhouse gas reduction (video)
In New Orleans, the city’s housing finance agency has become a “green bank” to underwrite community solar, water treatment projects, and resilience hubs. …
ESG | March 21, 2024
Texas boots Blackrock, saddling Texans with the costs of its campaign against ESG
House Republicans kicked off “Energy Week” on Monday with a tour of a Texas oil rig and a promise to “protect American jobs.” …
Impact Voices | March 20, 2024
Three ways impact investors can help CDFIs provide stability in a high-cost environment
Even as inflationary pressures begin to subside, affordable housing and community-based organizations continue to operate on thin margins. That means they’re less able …
Deploy! | March 19, 2024
Bringing standards and certainty to financing for community infrastructure and the green transition
Organizations across the US are anticipating the announcement – expected any day – of who will get to manage parts of the Greenhouse …
Deploy! | March 19, 2024
How the Loan Programs Office is supporting state clean energy projects
The Department of Energy’s Loan Programs Office is best known for providing loans and guarantees to innovative climate tech solutions and manufacturing from …
Deploy! | March 18, 2024
In Cleveland, stakeholders mobilize to deploy climate funds for community infrastructure
A few years ago, officials at the Cleveland and George Gund foundations were lamenting the lack of a state-wide green bank in the …
Muni Impact | March 11, 2024
To scale the IRA’s “green bank,” community lenders should engage muni finance markets
When the University of Virginia issued the first Build America Bond ($250 million) in April of 2009, it was just about three months …
Muni Impact | March 11, 2024
Scoring municipal bonds on racial equity and social impact
Municipal (muni) bond financing is as influential for communities as it might be invisible to many. It is the driving source of funding …
Community Finance | March 1, 2024
Deal spotlight: San Antonio’s ESTAR West targets $25 million for real estate fund
On San Antonio’s majority-Latino west side, ESTAR West is revitalizing underserved neighborhoods with mixed-use real estate and small business support. Entrepreneurs and Small …
Inclusive Economy | February 25, 2024
Can commercial corridors + broad ownership build community wealth without displacement?
ImpactAlpha, February 22 — The West Side of San Antonio is looking forward to a thriving corridor of successful small businesses, restored buildings …
Muni Impact | February 24, 2024
Maine rolls out $5 million in green bond series for resilient and sustainable buildings
Editor’s note: ImpactAlpha has partnered with HIP Investor to highlight upcoming bond issues with social and/or environmental significance. Disclaimer: Nothing in this post or on …
Muni Impact | February 15, 2024
How ‘community-benefit bonds’ can help scale mortgage assistance programs
Editor’s Note: Community Finance Brief is a weekly newsletter from Matt Posner of Court Street Group, occasionally syndicated on ImpactAlpha. Democratizing access to …
Muni Impact | February 6, 2024
Red state bans on ESG-aligned underwriters raise costs for muni issuers
ImpactAlpha – Feb. 6 – The state of Texas has banned Barclay’s from underwriting municipal bond deals in the state. The reason: The bank’s adherence …
Community Finance | January 31, 2024
How US community lenders are tapping impact capital to leverage federal investments
Over 95 million Americans live in low-to-moderate income communities across the US. These disadvantaged and financially underserved communities often suffer the most during …
Community Finance | January 24, 2024
LISC’s Michael Pugh on navigating legal challenges to community development finance (Q&A)
ImpactAlpha, January 24 — After 100 days at the Local Initiatives Support Corporation, Michael Pugh is getting down to business. At the top …
Muni Impact | January 16, 2024
As climate risk heats up, state and local governments may be on the hook
ImpactAlpha, Jan. 16 – It’s a climate conundrum. In recent years, Americans have been moving in droves to low-tax states like Florida, Texas …
Muni Impact | December 15, 2023
The arbitrage opportunity in high-impact municipal bonds (video)
ImpactAlpha, Dec. 15 – The $4 trillion muni market is so big that small movements in the pricing of bonds can mean shifts of …
Muni Impact | December 14, 2023
San Diego County eyes $166 million green bond for public health facilities
Editor’s note: ImpactAlpha has partnered with HIP Investor to highlight upcoming bond issues with social and/or environmental significance. Disclaimer: Nothing in this post or on …
Muni Impact | December 11, 2023
Muni investors see through mispriced risks to find alpha and impact
ImpactAlpha, Dec. 11 – Lower risk: Bonds issued by high-performing school districts that serve low-income populations. Higher risk: Issuances that fund entertainment complexes that …
Muni Impact | December 6, 2023
From Atlanta to St. Paul, bond issuers are steering muni markets toward racial equity
ImpactAlpha, Dec. 6 – When the city of Atlanta issued $370 million of what it called “social bonds” in December 2022, the sale’s …
Muni Impact | December 6, 2023
Lessons learned from Milwaukee’s flirtation with bankruptcy
Editor’s Note: Community Finance Brief is a weekly newsletter from Matt Posner of Court Street Group, now syndicated on ImpactAlpha. When a town, …
Community Finance | November 28, 2023
Mission Driven Bank Fund secures $110 million for local lenders in low-income communities
ImpactAlpha, November 28 — The Mission Driven Bank Fund will back a pipeline of over 300 FDIC-insured minority depository institutions, or MDIs, and …
Impact Muni Bonds | November 17, 2023
A $286 million bond seeks to grow north Texas out of its traffic jams
Editor’s note: ImpactAlpha has partnered with HIP Investor to highlight upcoming bond issues with social and/or environmental significance. Disclaimer: Nothing in this post …
Impact Investing | November 9, 2023
Impact products for retail investors prove resilient in a high rate environment
ImpactAlpha. Nov 9 – From real estate to car loans, there are few areas of American life where the Federal Reserve’s “higher-for-longer” interest …
Muni Impact | November 9, 2023
Southern California utility issues $162 million green bond to finance renewable power
Editor’s note: ImpactAlpha has partnered with HIP Investor to highlight upcoming bond issues with social and/or environmental significance. Disclaimer: Nothing in this post or on …
Dealflow | November 8, 2023
Candide’s Afterglow Climate Justice Fund secures $36 million to lend in frontline communities
ImpactAlpha, November 8 — Low-income communities that often bear the brunt of climate change also hold the key to many climate solutions. Candide …
Locavesting | November 2, 2023
Colorado foundations back Social Finance’s fund to upskill local workers
ImpactAlpha, November 2 — Gary Community Ventures and the Colorado Health, Colorado Gives and Walton Family foundations and other local backers have committed …
Deploy! | October 26, 2023
The US is finally getting a national green bank. Here’s what to expect.
ImpactAlpha, Oct. 26 – Hurry up and wait. Lenders, community groups and consortiums of nonprofits that met this month’s deadline to apply to …
Impact Voices | October 19, 2023
How the IRA’s ‘direct pay’ provision is driving community ownership and resilience
ImpactAlpha, Oct. 19 – Just a year after its passage, the Inflation Reduction Act has helped kickstart new battery and EV manufacturing plants …
Muni Impact | October 18, 2023
Chicago tries a twist on tax increment financing to extend transport to low-income neighborhoods
ImpactAlpha, Oct. 18 – A new approach to a well-worn financing mechanism is attracting attention to Chicago. The city is employing a new …
Muni Impact | October 16, 2023
Texas issues $169 million water bond to future-proof the state against drought
Editor’s note: ImpactAlpha has partnered with HIP Investor to highlight upcoming bond issues with social and/or environmental significance. Disclaimer: Nothing in this post or on …
Muni Impact | October 11, 2023
Mispriced risks in bond markets mean Black communities pay more for climate resilience
ImpactAlpha, Oct. 11 – A community’s racial makeup, irrespective of economic variables, affects its cost of capital in the $4 trillion US municipal bond …
Impact Muni Bonds | September 26, 2023
San Diego school bond targets green improvements and equitable access
Editor’s note: ImpactAlpha has partnered with HIP Investor to highlight upcoming bond issues with social and/or environmental significance. Disclaimer: Nothing in this post or on …
Climate Finance | September 21, 2023
In the Climate Week mix: Policy tailwinds, green banks, talent pipeline
ImpactAlpha, September 21 — Hard choices have to be made… about which of the hundreds of Climate Week NYC events to attend. As …
Dealflow | September 18, 2023
$171 million bond for affordable student housing in Hawaii
Editor’s note: ImpactAlpha has partnered with HIP Investor to highlight upcoming bond issues with social and/or environmental significance. Disclaimer: Nothing in this post or on …
Muni Impact | September 11, 2023
Michigan issues $1.2 billion in bonds to rebuild roads and bridges
Editor’s note: ImpactAlpha has partnered with HIP Investor to highlight upcoming bond issues with social and/or environmental significance. Disclaimer: Nothing in this post or on …
Impact Muni Bonds | August 29, 2023
Wisconsin agency issues $185 million social bond for affordable homeownership
Editor’s note: ImpactAlpha has partnered with HIP Investor to highlight upcoming bond issues with social and/or environmental significance. Disclaimer: Nothing in this post or on …