Creating community-owned real estate takes more than just financing projects. It takes leaders equipped with the knowledge to navigate the complexities of real estate, organizations prepared to steward assets for the long-term, and networks that allow practitioners to learn from one another and strengthen the field.
Catholic sisters have long been leaders in community investing, using mission-aligned capital to advance economic justice. The Religious Communities Impact Fund (RCIF) continues that legacy today. As a longtime Community Vision investor, RCIF puts shared values of equity, dignity, and community empowerment into action.
From California’s State Capitol to Washington, D.C., Community Vision joined fellow CDFIs to advocate for policies that expand access to capital, strengthen local economies, and support communities that have experienced generations of disinvestment.
Owning your space starts with real estate readiness—but what does that really mean? For nonprofits, it’s about developing the leadership, operational, and financial capacity needed to navigate a real estate project and plan for the future. With a strong foundation, organizations can move toward long-term stability and lasting community ownership.
As a Mission District anchor, The Women’s Building uses mission-aligned investing to extend its impact beyond its own space. Through its partnership with Community Vision, their investment helps other nonprofits secure permanent homes, sustain essential services, and strengthen community resilience.
Community Vision provided early advisory support and $2.31MM in financing to help bring La Placita to life in East San José. The 28,000-square-foot project will transform a long-vacant building into a cultural hub with a theater, wellness center, cafe, and affordable space for artists and small businesses—strengthening community health and economic opportunity in the Mayfair neighborhood.
When Western Ballet began exploring how to purchase a permanent home, they turned to Community Vision for support. In this blog, Senior Community Real Estate Consultant Jacqueline Carlisle reflects on their collaboration and the lessons any nonprofit can learn from their approach to facility planning.
Across the country, the affordable housing crisis continues to grow. Rising rents and home prices, coupled with long-standing inequities in
We’re excited to welcome Leslie Payne as Community Vision’s first Vice President of Program Strategy. In this newly created role,
We’re excited to welcome Matias Bernal, Ph.D., to Community Vision as our new Vice President of Development. In this role,
Above: CalCORE participants with Community Vision and Genesis LA staff at the 2025 convening in Los Angeles. Last week, Community
Image: Community Vision and Genesis LA staff with CalCORE participants at the 2024 CalCORE convening in Fresno. At Community Vision,
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