Last year, NeighborWorks Capital launched a new long-term initiative to expand access to flexible, affordable capital for NeighborWorks organizations (NWOs). By engaging major investors and funders, this initiative is raising awareness of the network’s impact and creating new pathways for investment in the work of these organizations.
At the center of this work are the NWOs themselves. These organizations are driving real, lasting change, and this initiative is designed to support that by unlocking capital aligned with their goals. While their impact is unmatched, much work remains to ensure investors fully understand the unique role of the network. This will be a long-term initiative with incremental progress each year.
Ebony Perkins joined our team to lead this work, spearheading our capital-raising and investor-engagement strategies. Under her leadership, and thanks to the continued impact of NWOs across the country, we are strengthening our role as a conduit, connecting organizations to the right capital at the right time to help address critical housing and community needs with even greater momentum.
A Capital Access Initiative Update
At every stage of the Capital Access Initiative, our focus is clear: to connect NWOs with the right capital so they can do their work with fewer barriers and more momentum. This initiative is built around four key components, each focused on securing and deploying flexible capital to support this vital work. We’re pleased to share the following updates:
Ebony Perkins
- Connecting NWOs to Investors: A cornerstone of this initiative is our commitment to elevating the work and impact of NWOs among investors. By sharing powerful stories, we are both raising capital and inspiring investors who want to support community-driven work. As a result, new investors are proactively reaching out to explore opportunities within the network.
- NeighborWorks Capital Equity Fund: This groundbreaking Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) partnership with National Equity Fund was the first step in our organized effort to elevate the work of this network in the eyes of investors. This LIHTC partnership is also a long-term effort that will show incremental progress each year. It is impossible to serve every market with the best pricing right out of the gate, but we are making steady progress. The first fund is on track to close in the fourth quarter of this year, and we’re already preparing for a second fund.
- The Neighborhood Fund: We’re proud to announce the official launch of The Neighborhood Fund, an investment vehicle created to provide efficient ways for investors and philanthropy to bring attractive financial support to NWOs. This Fund directly addresses the critical need for affordable capital to meet the most pressing community needs, including affordable housing, community development, and resident services. We are actively seeking investors to help grow this fund and expand access to affordable financing options for NWOs. This too is a long-term project.Â
- Public Debt Offering: We are planning for a public debt offering in 2026 as part of our strategy to diversify funding sources and build a stable, long-term pool of patient capital. We’re also looking to expand our offerings so that individuals and retail investors can support the great work of the NeighborWorks network.
This Capital Access Initiative is a long-term commitment to ensuring that NeighborWorks network organizations have the resources they need to build stronger, more vibrant communities. We remain deeply committed to being a reliable partner and a trusted source of the patient capital these organizations deserve.Â
