Investing in Assets That Anchor Communities
Redirecting the flow of charitable capital to grow in community, not the capital markets. Creating lasting community wealth and assets.
Thriving Communities Fund pools philanthropic capital, including capital from foundations and donor-advised funds, to provide patient, low-cost loans and other recoverable investments for community ownership and stewardship.
Put charitable capital to work now, then again in the future.
The sponsoring 501(c)(3) charitable organization is the legal owner and investor of Fund assets. The capital remains charitable throughout. It never returns to a participant personally.
What we invest in
Community ownership means communities gaining durable rights, decision-making power, and economic benefit from the assets that shape their lives and futures.
We look for approaches that keep assets rooted locally, protect community benefit over time, strengthen the relationship between people and place, and give residents, workers, Tribal Nations, and other community stakeholders a meaningful role in ownership and governance.
Stable & affordable housing
Community land trusts, resident-owned communities, cooperatives, and other models that preserve affordability, prevent displacement, and give residents a lasting stake in their homes and neighborhoods.
Commercial spaces & local businesses
Worker and community ownership, locally controlled businesses, and commercial spaces that keep economic activity, jobs, and ownership rooted locally.
Agricultural land & food systems
Land, farms, equipment, and food infrastructure that support producers, sustain working lands, strengthen local food systems, and keep ownership rooted in communities.
Tribal & Indigenous ownership
Land reacquisition and return, housing, agriculture, businesses, cultural spaces, ecological stewardship, energy, and other community-determined assets that support sovereignty and cultural continuity.
Natural resources
Forests, watersheds, open space, working lands, and other natural resources owned or stewarded to protect ecosystems, preserve community access, and keep land healthy for generations.
Partner with us.
We’re bringing together a group of founding participants interested in putting philanthropic capital to work in community ownership. You don’t need to be an expert or ready to make a commitment.
Seeking patient, flexible capital?
We want to hear from communities working to acquire, build, preserve, reclaim, or steward assets for long-term community benefit.
Learn more
The Thriving Communities Fund deploys capital to communities across the country. But our work goes beyond capital: we’re working to change the narratives and systems that stand in the way of scaling community ownership—and moving more capital behind it.
Through our newsletter, Built to Last, we share what we’re learning about the people, projects, history, and ideas shaping community ownership.