Mission Investing

Mission investing—the use of investments by foundations to achieve philanthropic goals—is a vital tool to help address the opportunity gap that is felt most acutely among those disadvantaged by race, gender, class, and region.

Vermont-Based Mission Investing

The Vermont Community Foundation was an early adopter of place-based mission investing. Back in 2001, we were one of the first community foundations in the country to commit no less than five percent of all of our assets to be invested to directly support our community goals. These investments support mission-aligned enterprises and real estate projects that revitalize downtowns and strengthen Vermont communities.

The Community Foundation invests through intermediaries and directly in partnership with trusted co-investors.  Here is a sampling:

Small Business – Intermediaries

  • Community Capital of Vermont
  • Flexible Capital Fund
  • Fresh Tracks
  • Northern Community Investment Corporation
  • Vermont Community Loan Fund

Small Business – Direct

  • Encore Renewable Energy
  • High Mowing Seeds
  • Mamava
  • Suncommon
  • Working Fields

Real Estate and Housing – Intermediaries

  • Champlain Housing Trust
  • Vermont Housing Finance Agency
  • Vermont Land Trust
     

Real Estate and Housing – Direct

  • YMCA of Burlington
  • Putnam Block, Bennington

VCF at Hula

VCF at Hula is a venture capital fund launched in August 2022 with a vision to foster innovation and economic development in Vermont by supporting early-stage, Vermont-based technology startups that have a positive impact in Vermont and the world. The fund is a partnership between Hula (the fund’s general partner) and the Vermont Community Foundation (the fund’s only limited partner).

Learn more in this FAQ about the VCF at Hula fund and how to get involved.