access to
capital
The historical lack of access to financing available to entrepreneurs in underserved urban and rural communities continues to inhibit local, sustainably implemented economic development. Our provision of low and no cost financial tools, coupled with culturally-relevant technical assistance, provides vital resourcing allowing locally owned businesses to grow, while building healthy and vibrant communities.
Mandela Partners' vetting process utilizes traditional financial auditing mechanisms, while uplifting character and community collateral. Additionally, Mandela Partners provides on going business advising to ensure that local entrepreneurs build a strong resource network to support them throughout the life of their business.
community capital
LADDER UP FUND
In 2015, Mandela Partners secured the first ever FreshWorks Intermediary Loan in order to increase access to local, healthy food capital in underserved communities. The Ladder-Up Fund has made $223,000 in flexible capital available to food retailers, value-added producers, local growers, and distributors.
HARVEST TO MARKET FUND
Leveraging a long history of supporting local family farmers, Mandela Partners developed the Harvest-to-Market loan program in partnership with CA FarmLink - a non-profit lender that connects farmers to land and financing. The Harvest to Market Fund has made $150,000 of capital available to under-resourced farmers that supply our network of community retailers and local programs. Unlike most capital products, farmers are able to pay back their loans, not in cash, but rather through what they grow: fruits & vegetables!
