On our 30th anniversary, we pause to reflect on decades of impact and innovation. Over the years, we have become a regional force as a driver of equitable economic and community development: we provide small business loans and services to entrepreneurs, we offer catalytic capital for projects that have the power to change neighborhoods, and through our newly launched credit union, we serve families on their journey to achieve sustainable financial prosperity.
We strive to build vibrant communities and break down barriers to access to capital for people who have historically faced discrimination. Our $487 million in loans and investments made across our eastern Pennsylvania market since our founding in 1992 have supported small businesses and created jobs. These financing activities have advanced our mission and created positive community change by improving access to affordable housing, increasing educational opportunities, creating access to healthy foods, and providing access to healthcare and other essential community services. We continue to look for innovative ways to serve our clients’ changing needs and advance our mission.
At our heart, we are a civil rights organization. We were founded by visionaries like Jim Hyson, who led a coalition of African Americans and Latinos to advance equal opportunity in central Pennsylvania, and Luis Mora, founder of Finanta, a loan fund providing capital to immigrant entrepreneurs in the greater Philadelphia region. These individuals, in partnership with other community lenders, understood the transformative power of access to responsible financial services for underserved populations. When our two organizations came together in 2020, our aligned mission and leveraged strength transformed us into a formidable force against economic injustice.
As we look ahead to the next thirty years, our innovation and creativity will continue to drive our unwavering commitment to our mission and its service to our community.
Learn more about our 30 Years of Impact Through Innovation in our Annual Report