Community Investing

Course Description

The course will explore the core principles and practices of community-based investing. If we wish to address the growing wealth gap and ecological challenges of our times, we need to create the opportunity for communities to own and control their future. That means circulating investment dollars locally, transforming the governance structures that allocate capital so people most affected have the most say, and designing investment approaches that make wise use of blended capital—integrating debt, equity and grantmaking. Students will have an opportunity to apply these concepts in group projects by learning how to design, structure, raise and manage an impact investing fund dedicated to creating sustainable, resilient and inclusive local economies. The course will take a whole systems approach to place-based change, covering the role that many stakeholders play in contributing to community wealth building, including entrepreneurs, investors, philanthropy, anchor institutions, policymakers, professional service providers and community members.