ImpactAlpha, February 28 — Blake Jones, a “cooperative geek,” launched Kachuwa Impact Fund to bring the principles of cooperative ownership and governance to impact investing.
In six annual raises, the Boulder, Colo.-based evergreen fund has raised over $20 million from more than 225 members, nearly 40% of whom are non-accredited investors. “One of our goals is for our cooperative to be as inclusive as possible, which is why we have a low minimum investment requirement of $5,000,” said Kachuwa’s Alicia Robb. Some members have invested more than $1 million.
The $3.2 million raised through the latest private stock offering will be used to broaden its investment pipeline. “We’ve already deployed over half of the proceeds towards investments in multiple impact companies in the US,” Jones told ImpactAlpha, as well as two affordable housing projects in Portland.
Impact portfolio
Kachuwa manages a $30 million portfolio of impact real estate, private equity and private debt investments. At least 60% of the public benefit corporation’s assets are in real estate. Kachuwa’s portfolio includes funds like Apis & Heritage and Harlem Capital and enterprises including Uncommon Cacao and Meow Wolf.
“Our cooperative members are seeking a reasonable return — but not an extractive return — by investing in an impactful and diverse portfolio like Kachuwa’s,” said Lizette Pena of Kachuwa.
