New Loan Closings: CURYJ, Northwest Bronx Community and Clergy Coalition, The WIN Project

$250,000 bridge loan (November 2021)

The mission of Communities United for Restorative Youth Justice (CURYJ – pronounced “courage”) is to unlock the potential of silenced young people (60% Latinx, 24% African American) that have been disempowered by the youth incarceration system. Specifically, the organization strives to end youth incarceration and support formerly incarcerated youth through advocacy rooted in leadership development, trauma healing, coaching, and community building. Throughout its 11-year history, CURYJ has worked to ensure that their organization represents and reflects those impacted by the pervasive systems they hope to combat; 90% of staff members are systems-impacted and 25% of staff are alumni of CURYJ programs. 

Financed by NFF’s zero-interest CARE Fund, this loan will support the leasehold improvement of CURYJ’s new headquarter and community center. Its newly leased space will be part of the development of the Oscar Grant Youth Empowerment Zone in Oakland’s Fruitvale neighborhood, which will include 181 units of affordable housing. The newly leased space will house a social-enterprise cafe employing formerly incarcerated community members, a multipurpose space for community organizing, and program and office space for CURYJ staff and CBO partners. CURYJ envisions this space as a nexus for intergenerational healing through the unique combination of movement strategy hubs, direct service programming, and social-enterprise. 

Learn more about NFF’s loan products on the financing page of our website.  

$250,000 bridge loan (November 2021)

Since 1974, Northwest Bronx Community and Clergy Coalition (NWBCCC) has worked to unite diverse people and institutions to fight for racial justice and economic democracy in the Bronx and beyond. Through the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP), NWBCCC works with landlords in the Bronx to invest in the structural health and safety of their buildings. At the same time, part of its community organizing work, the organization uses active outreach and leadership development to empower Bronx residents to take action around issues including educational and restorative justice, health justice, energy democracy, equitable economic development, and affordable housing. In 2021 NWBCCC served 5,000 people, 95% of whom qualified as low-income. 

Financed through NFF’s zero-interest CARE Fund, this loan will bridge delays in payments on its government contracts with New York State and New York City. This loan will provide the organization with the space to build up its reserves through philanthropic sources – reserves it can draw from for future working capital needs and use to respond nimbly to the evolving needs of Bronx communities. 

Learn more about NFF’s loan products on the financing page of our website.    

$250,000 predevelopment loan (November 2021)

The mission of The WIN Project is to reinvest in neighborhoods by providing families with access to decent, safe, and affordable housing. Since 1999, The WIN Project has built strong partnerships, particularly with the City of Compton, and has developed more than 20 projects of low-income or affordable housing, securing low-cost homes for the individuals and families most likely to be affected by rising housing prices in the Los Angeles area.  

Financed by NFF’s zero-interest CARE Fund, this loan will support predevelopment costs – such as architecture, engineering, and pre-construction management services – for a new affordable housing development in Compton, California. This development will offer five Compton families places to live in an area where low-cost housing is desperately needed. 

Learn more about NFF’s loan products on the financing page of our website.