Invest in Communities
The Georgia Community Loan Fund, Inc. lends capital and provides technical assistance to community groups in rural Georgia who do not have access to traditional sources of capital. Whether you want to make a short- or long-term commitment to developing equity for Georgia’s communities, you decide how your investment will be used.
Three Ways to Put Your Dollars to Work
1. Contribute to Core Operations
Your tax deductible contribution to support GCLF operations makes our lending activity possible. It allows our staff to build relationships with borrowers – worthy organizations with plans to strengthen their communities – as well as manage loan closings and monitor loan repayment. It also helps us provide technical assistance, deliver information to borrowers, investors and the public, and respond to new opportunities across the state.
2. Become an Equity Investor
Help us grow and extend the reach of GCLF by making a permanent gift or grant as an equity investment. Equity investments are pooled and professionally managed to form the core of GCLF’s capital resources. Each dollar you invest in equity capital secures one dollar or more of debt loan capital, which are the funds that GCLF lends to community groups. Your equity investment helps ensure the Loan Fund’s long-term success.
3. Become a Debt Capital Investor
Dollars you invest as debt capital (essentially a loan to GCLF) are dollars that go to work in Georgia’s communities. While your debt capital investment is not tax-deductible, you can set it up as a low or no-interest earning investment with a maturity date that meets your needs. You’ll have the satisfaction of knowing your investment helps dedicated citizens across Georgia create opportunities for economic growth and support environmental sustainability. Your debt capital investment is secured by GCLF equity capital.
You can support the GCLF through:
- Gifts of cash, stocks or bonds
- Investments with a defined term and rate of return
- Bequests
- A gift of permanent funds
However you choose to contribute, your support comes with the satisfaction of knowing you are helping to nurture economic growth, community development, environmental sustainability and social justice. When pooled with funds from federal and non-profit organizations, your dollars can be put to work to realize the hopes and dreams of communities throughout Georgia.
Does your foundation, lending institution or religious organization want to do more?
GCLF welcomes the opportunity to participate with other lenders in helping worthy organizations throughout Georgia make their communities a better place to live and work. We accept referrals from conventional lenders whose risk tolerance or underwriting criteria prohibit them from funding a particular community project. GCLF may also contact other lenders to introduce them to a lending opportunity. Through participation lending, you can do even more to provide equity for Georgia’s communities.
FAQs
Is the Georgia Community Loan Fund a 501(c)(3)?
Yes. The GCLF is a qualified nonprofit organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service Code, and is registered to solicit charitable contributions under the laws of the State of Georgia.
Who else supports the Loan Fund?
GCLF is privileged to have the support of individuals, state and federal organizations, religious communities and foundations. While citizens and organizations in Georgia form the core of our support, the GCLF is also draws support from citizens and organizations in other states. Recent support has come from CFED, the Association for the Study & Development of Community, Bank of America, and the Fund for Southern Communities.
Is my investment in the Loan Fund tax deductible?
Both equity investments and contributions to the Loan Fund's general operations are tax-deductible up to the limit of the law. Debt capital investments are not.
When will the Loan Fund pay me interest on my investment?
Investment terms are negotiated with each lender.
How can I be sure my investment is safe?
GCLF adheres to underwriting and lending policies that ensure financial safety and soundness. To protect the Loan Fund and our investors, we maintain a healthy reserve and take prudent steps to grow our capital.
Can I get my investment back?
Yes, upon maturity. All debt investments carry a specific term. The Loan Fund will notify you by letter prior to the maturity date with options to redeem your investment or renew it for an additional term.
Are there other organizations like the GCLF?
There are other entities in Georgia, including state and local governments, which provide non-traditional financing. GCLF, however, is unique in its mission to support environmentally and economically sustainable community development in rural, low-income and/or minority communities. We build on the best practices and experience of more than 500 community loan funds across the United States. For more than two decades these innovative organizations have aggregated capital from individual and institutional investors at below-market rates to provide loans that help communities grow and realize opportunities.
How does GCLF select the community organizations it supports?
GCLF looks for established, well-functioning organizations that are committed to a vision for helping their community. We evaluate each community group and proposal on its own merits, then put the full force of our expertise and network of connections behind the clients we partner with. By offering technical assistance with access to capital, GCLF works to build each group’s capacity, which helps us maintain the quality of the GCLF loan portfolio.
Who should I contact if I want to contribute or invest?
Contact GCLF by phone at (404) 407-5093, or email us at admin@gaclf.org for assistance.
