The term applies more to international programs. Fittingly, this series will be a whirlwind tour of a dozen CDFIs all over the world, a travelogue of sorts, which will give you a view from East to West Coast, Latin America to Asia, and everywhere in between. And, in addition to geographic criteria, we may consider a number of social targets. Many programs also provide important and pivotal support in helping individuals secure and repay mortgages, and even offer training and empowerment programs that help support new homeowners in other areas. Some programs lend directly to individuals, while others use a peer-lending model that binds borrowers together in a supportive group whose access to loan capital is dependent upon the success of all its members.
Many programs also offer technical assistance.
Others activities include banking services in targeted communities, and critical funding to non-profits, cooperatives and environmental programs. The impact of community investing is powerful and measurable, and often quite personal. Investors can match geographic and lending sectors, with investment capital, to create opportunity- and meet very specific social targets. In a time of disconnection and overload, community investing offers a direct opportunity to educate ourselves about, and empower disadvantaged communities in, the world in which we live.