Inclusive Action for the City

Communities across #LosAngeles need access to capital to run their businesses, deserve to own and steward land in their neighborhoods, and should be able to exercise power in the political systems that shape their lives. As we enter our 15th year, we’re sharing our three-year strategic plan to invite you into where we are headed and to join us in the journey! We’re focused on three problems affecting underinvested communities, and three interventions we will make to address them: Problem 1: Entrepreneurs and their families are still struggling to access capital and income inequality is increasing.  Intervention 1: Expand our small business lending, stabilize it with supportive infrastructure, and optimize our technical assistance. Problem 2: Capital assets, including land and real estate, are being concentrated in fewer and fewer hands. Intervention 2: Prototype integrated capital approaches - financial, physical, social - that grow wealth and build power for low-income communities. Problem 3: Community members feel powerless in the political systems that shape their lives Intervention 3: Deepen our commitment to policy advocacy to remove red tape, make budgets equitable, and create justice-centered investments.” Will you join us? 

Our raíces de éxito event this afternoon was a great success! Our honest and thoughtful conversations with our comunidad empresarial were uplifting and empowering! Together, we are learning and growing together; honoring the journey, celebrating successes and addressing challenges. Adelante comunidad! Big thank you and shoutout to New Economics for Women Aileen Sierra and Inclusive Action for the City Andrea Avila for their commitment, leadership and partnership. USC Credit Union #financialempowerment #comunidad #emprendedoreslatinos #knowledge #smallbusinesssupport Lilia Covarrubias

Public banks are government-owned, socially responsible financial institutions that allow municipalities to keep public funds for investment locally. Public banking advocates believe that communities of color would especially benefit from this alternative to the private banking system. Join AFN for a discussion about: ▶︎ the benefits of public banking and its potential to build community wealth and meet local needs; ▶︎ the roadmap to establishing a public banking system throughout California; and ▶︎ catalytic philanthropic investment opportunities to make public banking a reality in California. Webinar November 19, 2024 10:00 am - 11:00 am PST Learn more and register: https://loom.ly/R4iOBuU #publicbanking #wealthequity #philanthropy Y & H Soda Foundation Small Business Majority

Exciting news! Since 2021 we have been working with the EOCF @lisc_hq💫 to expand our resources to our local communities in LA. The Entrepreneurs of Color Fund (EOCF) has officially surpassed its $500 million small business lending goal— more than two years ahead of schedule! This incredible achievement is helping close capital gaps in communities of color through loans and technical assistance, directly supporting the growth of 9,500 businesses across 10 metro areas. IAC is proud to increase access to capital for diverse entrepreneurs who face challenges with traditional financing. But we’re just getting started! EOCF is expanding to double its impact, aiming to support $1 billion in financing for underserved businesses and communities. Learn More: https://lnkd.in/gyu_tw6v

Los Angeles Food Day Series (part 2), Strengthening a Postpandemic Food Retail Economy: On October 17th, LAFPC convened Guerrilla Tacos, Inclusive Action for the City, TMC Capital and KIWA, to dig into the unique experiences, challenges and opportunities of food businesses, especially restaurants over the last several years. Moderated by Eater LA, the experts noted the high price of leasing space and the importance of throughly understanding lease agreements so they become a protective tool for business owners. They highlighted the cost of sourcing high-quality, local products, and investing in employees while trying to maintain price points customers accept. Access to funding sources for various needs while avoiding predatory lending was also discussed. Business empowerment, worker organizing and policy solutions were uplifted with the goal of working towards synergistic solutions through our food retail.

Last week, we were honored to receive two awards for our small business lending work during Opportunity Finance Network’s 40th annual conference. 🙌🏼🎉 The first was the “Emerging Growth CDFI Award” that honors CDFIs that have demonstrated exceptional growth and service to their community over the last three years. Swipe left to hear our acceptance speech. The second was the “Lender of the Year” award from our partners at Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC). Together, we’ve deployed over $2.5 million in micro-loans to entrepreneurs of color over the last two years. We are so grateful for these recognitions and are even more committed to helping our #community access the capital they deserve.

  ✍ The Federal Reserve’s 2024 Small Business Credit Survey is now open! ✍ Owners and key financial decision-makers of for-profit businesses, share your recent experiences about whether and how you use debt, what financial conditions you face, and more. Answers to these questions contribute to data that directly inform the Fed, federal government agencies, service providers, policymakers, and others—a public good ultimately benefiting your business and others like yours. Take the 12-minute survey now: https://lnkd.in/gRNnqzTm The survey is open to businesses currently in operation, those recently closed, and those about to launch. All responses are confidential. The survey closes November 1, 2024. Questions? Contact Hal Martin at hal.martin@clev.frb.org.

🏘️ Affordable housing is a key priority for Los Angeles, and the LA County Land Bank Pilot is stepping in to make it a reality! This initiative aims to help prevent #displacement while supporting community-driven #development. We Inclusive Action, Genesis LA, Kounkuey Design Initiative, Ava Bromberg are honored to serve as a steward of this effort, which builds on years of advocacy by community leaders who recognize the power of public investment in shaping neighborhoods. Through the Land Bank, we’re working with partners to help the County find great sites for new affordable housing for Los Angeles County residents. To start, we need your help! We are looking to community members to identify underutilized lots for development. Head to the [link] to submit your suggestion. 💻 Join us for a virtual information session on November 7th - 9-10 AM to learn more about the pilot. https://bit.ly/4eUDseh

It’s a big week in Los Angeles(!) — we are co-hosts of the Opportunity Finance Network conference marking 40 years of CDFI innovation. We’re excited to see old friends and make new ones, and we will be sharing throughout. First off, take a look — it’s the second article in our Doing Capital Differently series: "Refinancing is just the first step: A holistic approach to helping clients escape the debt cycle." https://bit.ly/3YhXBnq We’re redefining risk and supporting our communities to navigate the debt trap and get away from predatory debt. Are you a CDFI at #OFN40? Tell us how you’re doing this? We want to keep learning and doing it with you. #ofn40 #capital #accesstocapital #cdfi #nonprofit #debtrelief #nodebt #finance #refinance #DoingCapitalDifferently #losangeles #california

It’s a big week in Los Angeles(!) — we are co-hosts of the Opportunity Finance Network conference marking 40 years of CDFI innovation. We’re excited to see old friends and make new ones, and we will be sharing throughout. First off, take a look — it’s the second article in our Doing Capital Differently series: "Refinancing is just the first step: A holistic approach to helping clients escape the debt cycle." https://bit.ly/3YhXBnq We’re redefining risk and supporting our communities to navigate the debt trap and get away from predatory debt. Are you a CDFI at #OFN40? Tell us how you’re doing this? We want to keep learning and doing it with you. #ofn40 #capital #accesstocapital #cdfi #nonprofit #debtrelief #nodebt #finance #refinance #DoingCapitalDifferently #losangeles #california