Our Work

Focus Areas

Nonprofits contribute to community prosperity through housing, education, healthcare, and many other services. We support nonprofits across the social sector with capital, coaching, and consulting, and tailor programs to meet particular needs.

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Arts & Culture

In addition to cultural enrichment, nonprofits working in the arts, culture, and humanities create jobs, support economic growth, and contribute to community revitalization.

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Early Childhood Education

Decades of research confirm that quality early childhood education (ECE) lays the critical foundation for children’s development, growth, well-being, and future success.

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NFF recognizes the critical role ECE providers play as non-profit small business owners. Providers face many of the same hurdles for facilities and operating capital. Whatever the size, these centers and providers are contributors to the community enabling children to safely learn and grow. NFF continues to advocate for system level changes to better support and finance the ECE sector.

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Education

A quality education is crucial for supporting community wealth and well-being. With extensive experience working with K-12 charter schools and their partners, we provide truly customized support and favorable loan terms for each of our clients.

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NFF staff bring their lived experiences and direct experience with childcare regulations and policies including teacher/employee pay, credentialing, and facility regulations.

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Environment

NFF finances projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and offers financial services to nonprofit organizations committed to environmental protection and stewardship. We apply financial solutions to drive positive environmental outcomes.

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Health

NFF has long supported healthier communities, from investing in medical facilities to advising organizations that are exploring new models of care, funding streams, and partnerships between community-based organizations and large healthcare systems.

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Housing

Our flexible capital supports housing developers throughout the project lifecycle, including early-stage acquisition and predevelopment loans, construction and bridge financing, and mini-perm or permanent loans for rental developments.

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The shortage of affordable housing in communities across the US has reached crisis stage, with developers managing larger pipelines and more complex projects. NFF’s team has direct knowledge of the housing development process and complex capital stacks. This, coupled with our deep experience working with nonprofits in communities throughout the US has taught us the importance of being flexible and avoiding a “one size fits all” approach.

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Human Services

Human services are at the core of building community wealth and well-being. Our financing and consulting support facilities, partnerships, and programs that meet communities’ essential needs.

Special Programs

Backed by partnerships with philanthropy and government, our special lending programs offer targeted capital and technical assistance to achieve community goals.
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Charter Schools

NFF’s expertise in charter schools’ operating business models and unique financial drivers allows us to provide customizable support and flexible terms for each of our clients.

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Community-Owned Assets

NFF’s capital and technical assistance help institutions and other local groups invest in community-owned real estate – such as land, affordable housing, and facilities – to achieve community goals and build local wealth and power.
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Communities that control assets such as land, facilities, and housing can leverage them to reduce speculative outside investment and keep long-time residents in place, invest in residents’ needs, and build long-term wealth and well-being.

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Financing for Faith Organizations

Our partnership with Trinity Church Wall Street provides pre-development loans to help faith organizations redevelop their real estate for greater community impact.
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New Markets Tax Credits

Our NMTC program supports community development projects and high-impact facility projects in low-income neighborhoods, catalyzing investments, quality services, and job creation in these communities.