Dealflow | March 9, 2022

Visa and Ford foundations back Black-led fund to invest in funds led by minority and female managers

Roodgally Senatus
ImpactAlpha Editor

Roodgally Senatus

Impactalpha, March 9 — West Hartford, Conn.-based Fairview Capital Partners teamed up with Ford Foundation in 2019 to launch Fairview Foundations Emerging Managers Fund, a fund that invests through diverse fund managers, particularly those managing small and new funds. The move was part of Ford’s $1 billion endowment commitment to mission-related investing.

Ford reupped in the Fairview fund with a $60 million commitment, joined by Visa Foundation, to target women- and minority-owned firms. “This is an excellent opportunity to seek superior financial returns and advance inclusive capitalism at the same time,” said Ford’s Roy Swan. 

Women rising

Separately, entrepreneur Lolita Taub is launching Ganas Ventures, an early-stage venture capital firm aiming to invest in overlooked and community-driven startups based in the U.S. and Latin America.

Ganas is looking to raise $10 million to write checks of around $100,000 for 75 pre-seed and seed-stage companies. Taub has raised $1.2 million from investors, including Backstage Capital’s Arlan Hamilton.