Program Related Investments Fund
The San Francisco Foundation Program Related Investments (PRI) Fund extends the reach of our assets in support of strategic priorities. The PRI Fund provides loans to intermediary and established organizations in the San Francisco Bay Area. Through PRIs, The San Francisco Foundation recycles capital, helps unlock much-needed credit for nonprofits, and leverages additional capital into under-served or under-invested communities. The Fund builds on our history of providing loans and loan guarantees. It is also a strategy to provide and catalyze additional sources of financing for the nonprofit sector, which has been faced with increased need but reduced grant and bank financing in the current challenging economic environment. We look forward to donors, foundation colleagues, and other investors joining with us in this important effort.
The San Francisco Foundation PRI program works primarily through intermediary and established nonprofit organizations that have a demonstrated ability to use loans to scale their operations and increase impact. We are pleased to partner with financial intermediaries including community development financial institutions (CDFIs), as well as other established financial intermediaries and nonprofit entities.
Our PRI Fund provides loans and loan guarantees to intermediary nonprofit entities and/or equity investments in for-profit affiliates of nonprofit entities that are aligned with our five Program areas: affordable housing, environmental preservation initiatives, and arts, health, and education facilities.
We began providing loans and loan guarantees in 2002. In March 2009, we increased our commitment by allocating $5 million from our endowment.
Read insights from Vanitha Venugopal, program director for community development, and Trustee Andy Ballard, on the impact this innovative funding opportunity has on our community in the San Francisco Business Times. We encourage you to first read these Frequently Asked Questions to learn more.
Program Related Investments Fund Staff
