Restorative Economies Fund

 

We believe Black and Indigenous people and other communities of color require access to the resources and decision-making process that allow them to exercise agency over their well-being and livelihood.

The Restorative Economies Fund (REF) seeks to close the racial wealth gap and transform our financial system by strategically reinvesting resources into community-owned and governed projects led by Black and Indigenous people, and all people of color.

The Fund’s mission is to support projects that create shared prosperity, self-determination, and build collective political, economic, and cultural power. 

 

Nia Evans, director of Boston Ujima Project, talks with Ujima members and supporters about how to become investors in the Ujima Fund on the evening of the fund’s official launch. The gathering took place at the headquarters of housing justice organization City Life/ Vida Urbana in Boston. Credit: Sarah Jacqz

 

 

 

REF funds technical assistance work, which can include community organizing, in recognition of the fact that the success of collective stewardship and governance is inextricably linked to people’s well-being and ability to build power.

 

 

 

 

REF is an integrated capital fund, which means the Fund combines grants with non-extractive investments (loans, loan guarantees, or lines of credit, etc.) and non-financial support including technical assistance or strategic advice.
*Graphic inspired by RSF Social Finance’s definition of integrated capital.

 

 

REF’s Principles to Support Community Wealth Building:

  • Democratic Governance & Leadership: transitioning power from the hands of a few into directly impacted and frontline communities
  • Political, Economic, and Cultural Power Building: agency and self-determination for impacted communities
  • Capacity Building & Human Development: building the capacity of partners to create alignment across movements and democratically deploy capital
  • Systemic Change: investing in strategies like policy creation, electoral campaigns, legal challenges, and efforts that defend the rights of all people

REF’s Funding Strategies:

  • Land & Housing Stabilization: access to affordable land and housing stabilizes communities living at the margins of displacement
  • Community-Governed Capital Vehicles: reinvesting capital into local economies in alignment with local social movements
  • Equitable Economic Development Projects: creating physical spaces providing excessive and inclusive services, amenities, and programs
  • Built Environment Infrastructure Projects: facilitating connectivity of communities through projects like internet mesh networks and renewable energy microgrid systems

During REF’s webinar in 2021, Avery Ebron, Head of Community Projects at The Guild, described their vision for community-wealth building in Atlanta.

To hear more, listen to the full webinar.

Find a list of our
grantee partners in our grantee database.

Learn more about REF

The Restorative Economies Fund team: