Changes We Seek

The Challenge

Income and opportunity gaps in the U.S. are widening each year. Since the 1970s, income growth for households in the middle and lower economic classes has slowed, while higher classes have enjoyed strong growth despite periodic economic downturns. These disparities have minimized economic mobility among historically underserved populations who live and work in communities with economic challenges.

The current economic system perpetuates this inequity by focusing solely on the profit motive of finance. In order to change the trajectory of income growth and opportunity, multiple challenges – in housing, education, safety, workforce and health – must be solved concurrently, with an eye toward holistic, sustainable change instead of quick fixes. We believe capital is a key ingredient for systemic improvement. By creating scalable, equitable opportunities for underserved people to access capital – people of all incomes, races, ethnicities and genders, regardless of geography – we are igniting new income growth, building multi-generational wealth and maximizing economic mobility and opportunity for all.

Changes we Seek

For more than 30 years, CRF has helped reinvent the flow of business funding, eliminate barriers to economic mobility and build community wealth.

CRF connects the entire community development system – from capital sources to civic leaders to other mission-driven organizations at the local level – with a singular goal: empowering people to improve their lives and strengthen their communities through innovative financial solutions.

Empowering People

We believe in investing in economic mobility and building wealth for people, especially people of color, women and veterans.

Building Sustainable Communities

We believe in breaking the cycle of inequity and creating opportunities for people to live in vibrant and thriving communities.

Fighting for Economic Justice

We believe in bringing fairness to finance and providing equitable access to the financial system for all people.