Impact Investing

Providing access to capital through philanthropy

Access to capital is an essential community resource. It allows local businesses to invest in their growth and job creation, for housing developments to meet resident demand while remaining affordable, for projects that serve the community — such as early childhood education centers — to meet the needs of families. The benefits of such investments are clear: long-term social gains, economic strength and wealth creation. However, communities of color do not experience equitable access to capital. Systemic racism forged barriers to financial and social resources that persist today for many in greater Milwaukee.

The purpose of the Greater Milwaukee Foundation’s impact investing program is to bridge these generational wealth gaps by providing affordable access to capital to support thriving communities, particularly communities of color. Our program emphasizes equity through key economic building blocks including small businesses and entrepreneurship, housing and early childhood education. Through these priorities and more, our impact investments help address social needs, create jobs, build wealth and expand opportunity.

What is impact investing?

Impact investing is philanthropy’s way of supporting businesses, developments, projects and entrepreneurs that bring tremendous social and economic value to the community beyond the scope of conventional nonprofit grantmaking.

Often structured as loans, equity investments or guarantees, impact investments provide timely support while ultimately delivering a financial return so funds can be reinvested in new projects, creating a cycle of sustainability.

Through our impact investing program, the Foundation carefully invests in places and opportunities where private and public funding have been inadequate, and racial inequities have stifled potential.