As we approached this Strategic Plan, we understood that the political uncertainties and fundamental socioeconomic changes taking place in our region, state, and country were creating ever-greater burdens for the people living and working in these communities. This meant that we had a responsibility to address our own internal systems in a way that better deployed our…
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Based out of Fresno, the Central California Food Bank (CCFB) is the largest food bank in the region serving Madera, Fresno, Kings, Tulare, and Kern counties. Despite being nestled amid the country’s most lucrative agricultural sector, the organization distributes 35 million pounds of food, including more than 50% of fresh produce, to more than 280,000…
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The Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund of the U.S. Treasury announced awardees of its 2018 CDFI Fund Financial Assistance (FA) and Healthy Food Financing Initiative (HFFI) Awards. Community Vision received a $875,000 FA award and a $750,000 HFFI award. Community Vision will use this FA award to further our place-based work in Oakland by providing low-rate…
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Join us at the 2018 Opportunity Finance Network (OFN) Conference in Washington D.C. from October 8-11. We are participating in one exciting panel: Evolving into Real Estate: Strategies for Taking the Plunge into Real Estate Development Thursday, October 11, 2018: 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM Moderator: Saul Ettlin, Community Vision Panelists: Sean Closkey, ReBuild Metro,…
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We are pleased to have partnered with Alchemist CDC and Sierra Business Council in obtaining grants through the Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB)’s Access to Housing and Economic Assistance for Development (AHEAD) program. Through our membership with the FHLB, Community Vision was able to sponsor both organizations. Alchemist CDC was awarded a $45,000 grant to support Alchemy Kitchen, a…
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Earlier this Summer we welcomed Ruby Harris to our lending team as our Manager of Community Development Lending. Ruby joins Community Vision with more than 18 years of experience in the affordable housing field, ranging from nonprofit management, program/product design, project management, public policy, finance, and grant-making. Welcome, Ruby! What were you doing before joining…
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Life Learning Academy (LLA), a San Francisco-based public charter school, builds greater equity in education for local young people. Founded in 1998 in an effort to reform San Francisco’s Juvenile Justice System, the school utilizes a number of innovative teaching methods and mission-driven programs to target historic gaps in opportunities and better meet the needs of its students.
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Community Vision announces President Mary Rogier will step down after more than 20 years of exceptional leadership. A national search for a visionary new leader is currently underway. It is with a tremendous mix of sadness and gratitude that the Board of Directors of Community Vision announces that long-time President Mary Rogier has informed leadership of…
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We are pleased to announce that Community Vision is the new administrator of the California Fisheries Fund (CFF), an award-winning loan fund that lends to borrowers involved in the West Coast fishing industry. CFF works with small businesses, including small-scale fisherman, fishing enterprises, and ports. The mission-focused program increases profitability, economic mobility, and stability for…
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By Guy Baldwin, Community Vision’s Policy, Research, and Information Manager Two ballot measures will let California voters decide in November to raise up to $6 billion for housing for veterans, low-income people, and the homeless. Proposition 1 calls for issuing a Veterans and Affordable Housing Bond — $3 billion for affordable housing, and $1 billion…
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Last month we relocated Community Vision’s Fresno Office to the Bitwise Hive, a new co-working space promoting technological education, innovation, and increased creativity. A former 50,000-square-foot old county records building off of Santa Fe and Ventura Avenues, the Hive is now home to 24 companies, including Community Vision. With this move, we will continue to deepen our community connections and strengthen our…
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By Catherine Howard, Director of Strategic Initiatives and Director of the California FreshWorks, a statewide food access financing and technical assistance program. Cross-posted from www.cafreshworks.com. South Los Angeles is comprised of a collection of communities steeped in historical significance. Post-WWII, African Americans flocked to the area to take advantage of expanding opportunities to purchase…
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