Type: Below Market Investments, High Impact Investments
Topic: Buildings & Housing
Status: Current
This nonprofit bank, formerly called Natural Capital Investment Fund, finances and advises small businesses using market-based solutions to strengthen the Appalachian region and protect natural resources.
Investment
$2 million 10-year loan at 2%; originated in 2015
Rationale
Low cost capital for loans to build environmentally and socially responsible small businesses in Appalachia. People in this region are on the front lines of the switch away from coal to a lower carbon economy and need both capital and technical assistance to build more diversified, robust local economies.
Returns
In 2016 NCIF made $8.4 million in loans to 35 companies, 82% of which were in economically disadvantaged communities. NCIF also provided 3,000 hours of technical assistance to help its customers thrive. NCIF’s 2016 Impact Report is available now.
Impact Summary
| 2016 | 2001-2016 | |
| Jobs created/retained by active portfolio companies and farms | 705 | 3,886 |
| Loans | $8.41M | $34.13M |
| Companies Funded | 169 | 208 |
| Hours of advisory services | 3,009 | 17.111 |
| Advisory services clients | 150 | 924 |
Lessons Learned
McKnight is learning more about community transitions as Xcel Energy—Minnesota’s biggest utility— accelerates the closing of two large coal-fired power plant units in central Minnesota. In 2016, we began collaborating with the Just Transition Fund and the Initiative Foundation to secure additional federal POWER grants for the coal plant-impacted communities in central Minnesota to better prepare for economic transition.
Photo Credit: Bill Bamburger, courtesy of NCIF
Disclaimer of Endorsement: The McKnight Foundation does not endorse or recommend any commercial products, processes, or service providers.
Last updated 3/5/2019