October Loan Closings: Alliance for Progress Charter School, LEMS Bookstore and Jazz Night School, Philadelphia Technician Training Institute, Roads to Success, Sierra House, The Children's Village and Urban Pathways

$800,000 acquisition loan (September 2024) 

Alliance for Progress Charter School (AFPCS) is a mission-driven, award-winning, K-8 charter school serving over 600 students annually in North Philadelphia. AFPCS was founded in 1998 by the Women's Christian Alliance, a social service agency that has served the North Philadelphia community for nearly 90 years. Founded and led by Black leaders, AFPCS attracts a diverse student body from across Philadelphia as a magnet school. 70% of its students reside in nearby zip codes that fall within the city's lowest income brackets, and all students qualify for free and reduced lunch. 

"AFPCS started as a Grade K-5 school will 296 students in 1998, in a low-income area of Philadelphia.  Through the support of our Families and the hard work of our Leaders and Staff, we are now a Grade K-8 school, with an enrollment to reach 671 in school year 2025-2026. Our growth enabled us to build a new 50,000 square foot  building in 2020.  This is the first new school of its size constructed in our community in 50 years."

Larry Griffin, Board President, Alliance for Progress Charter School

Over 28 million children in the US lack a playground within walking distance, and those from lower-income neighborhoods have even less access to parks and play areas compared to their middle- or upper-income counterparts. To address this gap, NFF provided Alliance for Progress with an $800,000 loan for the acquisition of unimproved land adjacent to the school’s existing campus to construct a new playground. The space will be equipped with play structures provided by KABOOM!, a national nonprofit that engages volunteers and sponsors to help communities build playgrounds for children. 

This loan was supported by NFF’s credit enhancement grant program facilitated by the United States Department of Education's Credit Enhancement for Charter School Facilities Program. This credit enhancement grant program allows NFF to offer low-cost capital that helps start-up and single-site schools acquire, construct, and renovate new or existing facilities.

Education happens beyond the classroom – and the addition of outdoor space will foster student learning and development.

"NFF provided capital that enabled our School to purchase an adjacent lot that we will improve and use as play space for our students.  NFF demonstrated again the importance Community Development Financial Institutions play in providing access to capital for critical needs in communities."

Larry Griffin, Board President, Alliance for Progress Charter School

$2.8 million acquisition loan (September 2024) 

Seattle-based nonprofit Jazz Night School (JNS) uplifts their community by creating an exceptional, supportive environment where people of all musical abilities can come together to learn, perform, and enjoy jazz. JNS features a nationally unique model for an adult community music school that actively preserves and promotes this important Black American art form. By grounding its curriculum in the historical evolution of jazz – shaped by the injustices of racial discrimination, economic disempowerment, and violence experienced by Black Americans – JNS not only cultivates music skills but also fosters a deeper understanding of the cultural contexts that shape jazz. JNS serves approximately 750 students annually, with 15% benefiting from financial aid to pursue their passion for music. 

"Jazz Night School is a community-based nonprofit dedicated to promoting the appreciation and celebration of Black American music. It provides high-quality, affordable, and empowering music education for lifelong learners from Seattle and beyond, with programs tailored to this underserved group, including tuition support for those in need. By nurturing new musicians who enrich the region’s music culture, Jazz Night School fosters cross-cultural connections and meets deep human needs for community and personal well-being. The school has grown into one of the largest programs of its kind in the nation," says Erik Hanson, Founder and Executive Director of Jazz Night School. 

"Jazz Night School is thrilled that this property purchase, financed by NFF, will enable us to partner with LEMS Bookstore, a long-standing resource for Seattle's Black American communities, and Southeast Effective Development, a nonprofit developer and arts-supporting organization with deep roots in our historically diverse neighborhood. Together, we will clean up a contaminated site, establish permanent homes for Jazz Night School and LEMS, and create 100 new affordable housing units to help prevent displacement."

Erik Hanson, Founder and Executive Director, Jazz Night School

The Life Enrichment Bookstore, more commonly known as LEMS Bookstore (LEMS), is the last Black-owned bookstore in the Pacific Northwest focused on the African diaspora. A longstanding community fixture, LEMS hosts important cultural events that celebrate the heritage and contributions of Seattle’s Black community, including Kwanzaa celebrations, African religion services, and bazaars for Black-owned businesses. The bookstore also facilitates recovery support groups and offers job training for formerly incarcerated individuals. 

Murakami Building LLC, formed by JNS and LEMS, will oversee the demolition of old structures at 5001, 5015, and 5021 Rainier Avenue S and the new construction of a six-story mixed-use development in a rapidly gentrifying area of Southeast Seattle. Drawing on its longstanding commitment to enhance the quality of life in Southeast Seattle through affordable housing, arts, and economic development, SouthEast Effective Development (SEED) will lead the construction project. 

A $2.8 million acquisition loan from NFF – with additional financing from Rainier Valley Community Development Fund, Conlin Columbia, and 5001 Rainier investors – will secure permanent sites for JNS and LEMS, along with over 100 units of affordable housing. This investment will provide the spaces needed for JNS and LEMS to deliver vital community programs for many more generations.

$3.3 million participation in a $4.8 million construction loan with PIDC as the lead lender (September 2024)

The Philadelphia Technician Training Institute (PTTI) is a post-secondary trade school that equips students with the knowledge and practical skills necessary to thrive in the job market. With an 85% graduation rate and 75% job placement rate, PTTI prepares its graduates for careers in welding, pipe fitting, advanced manufacturing, automotive technology, medical instrument sterilization, concrete and masonry, and drywall and framing. In addition to career-specific training, PTTI provides students with supportive services including food, transportation, mental health care, and post-graduation assistance.

NFF’s $3.3 million loan will support PTTI’s campus expansion, increasing the facility’s size by 15,000 square feet, from 45,000 to 60,000 square feet. This expansion will enable PTTI to boost its enrollment capacity by 50%, from 508 to 772 students, effectively overcoming current space constraints and allowing the school to invest in the futures of hundreds more students in Philadelphia.

$365,000 line of credit (August 2024)

Roads to Success (RTS) is an NYC-based grassroots nonprofit dedicated to helping young people discover self-esteem, self-reliance, and empathy through a social-emotional learning framework. RTS impacts more than 7,000 youth and young adults annually through after-school programs, youth employment, college and career preparation, and summer camps. This translates to more than two million hours of direct services dedicated to its community each year.

"At Roads to Success we’re dedicated to empowering our future leaders and changemakers by breaking down barriers to education and career success. Our priority is equipping students with the tools for lifelong success. We strategically design programs in economically disadvantaged areas to empower youth to explore their passions and plan their futures. In partnership with schools, communities and parents, we tackle challenges like absenteeism and academic performance to create lasting, positive impacts for the families and communities we serve."

Sheila Duke, CEO, Roads to Success

RTS receives a significant portion of its funding from government contracts. However, like many government entities, NYC agencies typically pay nonprofits after services are completed, leading to delays that often exceed 90 days. NFF’s $365,000 line of credit will help RTS cover ongoing organizational costs while waiting for delayed reimbursements from government contracts. With this financing, RTS can continue its mission of supporting young people at every stage of their journey.

"Our partnership with NFF has been invaluable in sustaining our mission, as their line of credit allows us to operate smoothly without cash flow disruptions. This support ensures that we can continue serving our families and communities without interruption, while also providing stability for our employees, many of whom rely on their paychecks to support their own households."

Sheila Duke, CEO, Roads to Success

$300,000 mini-permanent loan (August 2024)

Sierra House, a community-centered nonprofit in East Orange, New Jersey, is committed to improving the prospects of individual achievement for youth, low to moderate income families, and homeless young adults through housing, education, and community services. Their CEO, Keely Freeman, is deeply connected to the community, having grown up in Newark. Driven by Keely’s commitment to improving community wealth and well-being, Sierra House is purchasing land and newly developed properties, and renovating existing homes in the Greater Newark Area, to create quality, affordable housing for New Jersey residents. This housing is transformative for residents who might not otherwise be able to afford homes in their neighborhoods due to New Jersey’s high cost of living and high property prices.

“New Jersey's rental market is one of the most expensive in the country. Sierra House is proud to provide transitional and affordable housing to assist families who struggle with everyday living expenses and cannot afford market-rate rents,” says Keely Freeman, Co-Founder and CEO of Sierra House.

NFF’s $300,000 loan will provide essential gap financing for the construction of a 4,000-square-foot, two-family residential home designed for low- to moderate-income residents in East Orange, New Jersey. NFF is a valued community partner that has greatly supported Sierra House in advancing its mission to expand affordable. Through this partnership, NFF has provided financing that enabled Sierra House to build seven affordable housing units, including five units in East Orange, NJ and two units in Maplewood, NJ. With this financing, Sierra House can continue its mission of keeping housing affordable and promoting homeownership within the Greater Newark community.

“Through Sierra House's partnership with NFF, we are able to collaborate with a mission-driven organization that understands the need for affordable housing and shares our mission.”

Keely Freeman, Co-Founder and CEO, Sierra House

Learn more about Sierra House’s vital work to preserve and expand affordable housing across New Jersey.

$2.75 million participation in a $5.5 million acquisition loan with Leviticus Fund as the lead lender (September 2024)

Urban Pathways (UP), a New York-based nonprofit founded in 1975, is dedicated to combating homelessness through housing and supportive services, while simultaneously advocating for systemic change. For decades, UP has supported thousands of New Yorkers through street outreach, supportive housing, and employment programs. In 2023, the organization placed over 600 individuals in supportive housing, successfully advocated to increase the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for New York’s human services workers, and served over 2,000 people through its drop-in center.

"Homelessness is about more than just housing—it’s a complex issue that touches on health, mental well-being, and financial security. The individuals we serve are strong and determined, often facing multiple barriers, but with the right support, they achieve a better quality of life. We believe housing is a human right and the foundation for rebuilding lives. When people have access to housing alongside personalized care, job training, and health services, they are equipped to overcome challenges and build lasting success."

Marta Goldman, Chief Development and Communications Officer, Urban Pathways

"At a time when interest rates have reached levels not seen in years, NFF and co-lender Leviticus offered highly competitive rates, standing out where other lenders could not. This acquisition and predevelopment loan will support the creation of affordable, supportive housing for the community. Thanks to the favorable terms, Urban Pathways and Children’s Village can redirect the interest savings back into the project, enhancing its appeal and sustainability as a valuable community asset."

Marta Goldman, Chief Development and Communications Officer, Urban Pathways

The Children’s Village (TCV), founded in 1851, works in partnership with families to promote the well-being of young people through housing, education, and advocacy. Each year, TCV’s Dobbs Ferry campus provides short-term residential care for more than 800 youth – and its other community-based programs reach over 17,000 children and their families.

"We work with children, youth, and families who have often been excluded and denied the promise to reach their full potential in these United States. Intentional historical segregation, family separation, overburdened school, high-density, poor-quality housing, and systematic disinvestment are root causes that The Children’s Village is committed to addressing."

Dr. Jeremy Christopher Kohomban, President and CEO, The Children's Village

NFF’s $2.75 million loan, with a 50% participation from Leviticus Fund, will support Urban Pathways and The Children’s Village in creating a 123-unit permanent affordable and supportive housing development in the Bronx. This project will feature 43 units allocated for low-income households and 80 units designated for formerly homeless individuals and young adults transitioning out of foster care. This investment will connect more than a hundred people to affordable housing, providing individuals and families with the stability of a secure living environment.

"NFF and Leviticus understood us. The Children’s Village and our amazing partner Urban Pathways wanted to replicate the high-quality housing in desirable neighborhoods that we are known for. It’s not easy to do, but we are proud we have accomplished it and NFF’s investment brings our vision to reality."

Dr. Jeremy Christopher Kohomban, President and CEO, The Children's Village

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