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How Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs is Expanding Entrepreneurship through Community Lending
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Following our partnership at the Mission Investors Exchange (MIE) 2025 Mission Investing Institute, our latest blog post dives into how Georgia-based CDFI, Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs (ACE), helps metro Atlanta and North Georgia entrepreneurs thrive. Over the past two decades, ACE has seen transformational shifts in the needs of small businesses across Georgia, particularly in historically underserved communities.
As the demand grows for flexible, equity-informed financing that meets entrepreneurs where they are, ACE is showing how CDFIs can be instrumental in supporting the needs of small business owners. MIE Sustaining Member The Annie E. Casey Foundation has supported ACE’s growth by playing a vital role in attracting additional investment. According to Tonya Rapley, Director of Strategic Partnerships at ACE, the Foundation’s support underscores “the value of having a partner that understands the need for both lending and philanthropic capital to drive innovative solutions, provide affordable capital, and mitigate risk.” Tracy Kartye, Director of Social Investments at The Annie E. Casey Foundation, adds that, “Flexible funding through grants and Program-Related Investments enables ACE to meet the needs of entrepreneurs, whether that is through technical know-how, affordable loans, or other resources.”
Read more about how ACE is going beyond capital to provide capacity-building and advisory support to entrepreneurs, and how MIE members like The Annie E. Casey Foundation have been critical partners in expanding ACE’s work across metro Atlanta.
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Ownership Lens Series Part 2: Investing for Systemic Change through Employee Ownership
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Join MIE Sept. 9 from 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m. PT/2–3:30 p.m. ET to explore the value of employee ownership as a systemic solution for wealth building and how mission-aligned investors can support this work.
Speakers include:
- Tobi Adewodu, Associate Director of Investor Relations, Apis & Heritage
- Mauri Ingram, President and CEO, Whatcom Community Foundation
- Margot Kane, Chief Investment Officer, Spring Point Partners
- Alison Lingane, Founder, Ownership Capital Lab
- Katheryn Witt, Director of Program Content, MIE (Moderator)
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Ownership Lens Series Part 3: Investing in Local Resilience through Community-Owned Real Estate
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Join MIE Nov. 12 from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. PT/2:30-4 p.m. ET for Part 3 of our Ownership Lens Investing Series: “Investing in Local Resilience Through Community-Owned Real Estate.” Explore how community land trusts, housing co-ops, perpetual trusts, and limited-equity co-ops are helping to strengthen neighborhoods, prevent displacement and deliver lasting impact. Join experts in the field to learn how investors can support and scale these community-driven models to build more inclusive, resilient communities.
Speakers include:
- Erika Brice, Social Investment Officer, The Kresge Foundation
- Devin Culbertson, Vice President of Innovative Finance, Grounded Solutions Network
- Curt Lyon, Executive Director, Transform Finance
- Katheryn Witt, Director of Program Content, MIE (Moderator)
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These are member-only programs. MIE members should log in to register for the events above. If you have questions or challenges accessing registration, please contact Sophia Brown.
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Join Us for Upcoming Member Gatherings
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Our gatherings provide space for MIE members and invited guests to build community, share perspectives, and explore innovative practices in an informal, interactive setting.
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MIE members should log in to register for the events above. If you have questions or challenges with registration, topic suggestions, or if you are not an MIE member but would like to inquire about membership and attending, please contact Madeline Moerk.
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Stay connected with the MIE team as we travel to various meetings and conferences across the country. We’d love to see you in person, learn more about your work, and explore new collaborations. Mark your calendar, and reach out to Zineb Touzani to set up a meeting.
- The Oikos Institute for Social Impact: Fishing Differently Conference 2025, Sept. 3-5, Philadelphia
- 2025 FAOG Conference, Sept. 7-10, Oklahoma City
- Climate Week NYC, Sept. 21-28, New York City
- ComNet25, Oct. 15-17, Denver
- Financial Times Climate & Impact Summit North America, Oct. 22-23, New York City
- SOCAP25, Oct. 27-29, San Francisco
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Five Impact Investing Tools Foundations Can Use in Times of Crisis
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| In Five Impact Investing Tools Foundations Can Use in Times of Crisis, MIE Impact Fellow Elizabeth Avila explores how foundations can move capital swiftly and strategically when disaster strikes. From rapid response funds to recoverable grants and loan guarantees, she highlights powerful tools that not only meet urgent needs but also support long-term recovery and resilience. With real-world examples from MIE members and beyond, the piece is a valuable guide for aligning impact investing with crisis response. Don’t miss this timely and practical resource. |
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Select Member & Field News
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In Philadelphia, A Dozen Foundations are Starting to Deploy Local Endowments for Local Impact
The Barra Foundation, Cogent Consulting, Glenmede, Independence Public Media Foundation, The Patricia Kind Family Foundation, UnTours Foundation
June 12, ImpactAlpha
Rewiring Capital: How The Colorado Health Foundation is Reimagining Impact Investment
June 24, The Colorado Health Foundation
Nathan Cummings Foundation Backs Fibers Fund to Support Textile Entrepreneurs
June 25, ImpactAlpha
The Next Generation’s Declaration of Economic Independence
by Roy Swan, Head of Mission Investments, Ford Foundation
July 2, Observer
Blue Haven’s Liesel Pritzker Simmons On Family Office Impact Investing In Perilous Times (Q&A)
July 8, ImpactAlpha
More Than Two Dozen LPs Backing Impact Funds Focused On Indigenous Communities
McKnight Foundation, Rasmuson Foundation, RSF Social Finance, The Schmidt Family Foundation, Sorenson Impact Foundation, UnTours Foundation, W.K. Kellogg Foundation
July 10, ImpactAlpha
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Community Housing Services Agency, Inc.
Providing financing and technical support for affordable and workforce housing to empower low-income individuals and communities. |
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Headwaters Foundation
Working side-by-side with Western Montanans to improve the health of our communities. |
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Henry County Community Foundation
Connecting generous donors with community needs through expert stewardship and sustainable philanthropic impact. |
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Jesse Parker Williams Foundation
Leveraging opportunities to increase capacity and access to healthcare in Atlanta. |
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Locus
Creating access to capital through community partnerships and innovative financing tools. |
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The New York Women's Foundation
Creating an equitable and just future for women by investing in bold, community-led solutions that ignite action for gender, economic, and racial justice. |
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The Oikos Institute for Social Impact
Helping faith communities harness the power of their assets for communal transformation and economic renewal. |
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Visit Our Job Bank
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| MIE shares career opportunities at member foundations, affiliate members, and other partners. Find your next job, build a career in impact investing, or share an opportunity with the field by submitting a posting. Requests for Proposals are also accepted. |
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