Company Profile
Community Vision
Company Overview
Mission
We promote economic justice and alleviate poverty by increasing the financial resilience and sustainability of community-based nonprofits and enterprises. Through flexible financial products and sound advice, we create opportunities to make socially responsible investments that revitalize Northern and Central California communities.
Vision
We envision financially strong and culturally vibrant communities where each person has access to decent jobs, homes, health care, education, and economic opportunities. We work in partnership with individuals and organizations who share our vision of sustainable communities and social and economic justice.
Company History
In 1987, our founders had a vision of putting their money to work as a tool for building financially strong and culturally vibrant communities capable of growing their sown seeds of self-determination. We have successfully carried out that vision since the 1980s, by connecting investors to communities, lending to nonprofits, small businesses, and cooperatives, and providing financial and real estate consulting to organizations that share our vision of sustainable communities and social, racial, and economic justice.
Since then we’ve invested more than $350 million to projects throughout California, impacting the lives of more than 1.5 million of our neighbors. Our lending and consulting services support organizations that provide affordable housing, equitable and sustainable access to healthy food, community arts, and critical social, medical and youth services.
Notable Clients
Compass Family Services, Life Learning Academy, Central California Food Bank, Women's Cancer Resource Center, Community Foods Market, Destiny Arts Center, Innovate Development Living Solutions, Hoopa Community Market, RYSE Commons, La Clinica Vallejo
Notable Accomplishments / Recognition
Current Initiatives:
The Nonprofit Sustainability Initiative:
The initiative helps San Francisco’s nonprofits secure new, nonprofit-owned space and creates solutions for organizations seeking long-term leases. Under this initiative, Community Vision administers two programs — the Nonprofit Space Investment Fund and the Nonprofit Space Stabilization Program, which includes the new Community Cornerstone Program. The programs provide technical and financial assistance to support nonprofit sustainability amidst a changing and volatile real estate market.
California FreshWorks:
This loan and grant program provides financing to food enterprises who are working to increase access to affordable, healthy food in low-income and underserved communities in California.
The California Fisheries Fund (CFF):
This loan fund for the California fishing industry is managed by Community Vision. Launched in 2008 by the Environmental Defense Fund, CFF has worked with borrowers including small-scale fishermen, fishing enterprises, ports, and nonprofits.
Real Estate Readiness Program:
Due to the area’s skyrocketing real estate market, nonprofits find themselves at risk of displacement or face significant barriers to growth. In the South Bay and Peninsula, the growing business sector is contributing to inflated rents, resulting in nonprofits struggling to find the affordable space they need to thrive. Community Vision’s highly regarded Real Estate Readiness program builds the capacity of organizations located in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties.
PRO Oakland:
International Boulevard extends ten miles through several diverse communities in East Oakland where AC Transit is planning to add a dedicated Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) lane meant to address the need for better public transit options in the area. While the BRT is an exciting addition, better connecting area residents to other parts of the city and Bay Area, the three-year period of construction is expected to have a tremendous impact on local small businesses and nonprofits serving low-income residents.
In order to mitigate this disruption, avert displacement, and prepare these entities to thrive once construction is complete, PRO Oakland offers expert technical assistance and flexible capital that these organizations can take advantage of to weather the disruption, build their capacity, address facility issues, and other foundational needs.
Benefits
We offer an excellent benefits package including three weeks of vacation. Community Vision has a strong commitment to a work-life balance.