Boston Impact Initiative

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Boston Impact Initiative

BII works to build an equitable and inclusive economy by investing for racial and economic justice.

BII works to build a future where entrepreneurs of color and their communities have the financial, social and political power to create a sustainable, inclusive and equitable economy.

04/09/2026

Growing a clean energy business means knowing where to focus your time, resources, and growth strategy.

Join BII on Friday, September 11, from 12:00–1:00 PM for a free webinar designed for small and midsize businesses operating in—or expanding into—the clean energy sector.

Featuring Heather Cooper, Partner, and John Zhang, Associate, of McDermott Will & Schulte, this business growth seminar will break down the federal and Massachusetts tax incentives available to emerging clean energy businesses, including federal credits, direct pay options, state programs, and how your business structure can affect eligibility.

No tax background is needed. You’ll leave with a clearer understanding of which incentives may fit your sector and stage—and what you can do now to position your business to benefit as you scale.

Register today: https://luma.com/59euehv1?lm_source=embed

03/09/2026

What if finance was built around trust—not just credit scores, collateral, and maximizing returns?

BII is working to transform traditional finance into a more just, sustainable, and community-rooted system.

Through direct investing, BII matches the right capital and resources to what business owners actually need—while building long-term relationships rooted in trust.

Through the Impact Capital Lab, BII is also training the next generation of impact fund managers and mobilizing capital toward community-led solutions. So far, they’ve trained 90 fund managers and moved $60 million into communities, with a goal of moving $100 million by 2030.

From integrated capital to the ARC Fellowship and First Mover Fund, BII is redefining what it means to create financial returns—and asking a bigger question: How much is enough?

Watch to learn how BII is building a fairer economy through what they call “traditional finance with a heart.”

Learn more and join the movement.

25/08/2026

Did you know that very few foundations in the United States invest directly in social impact businesses alongside traditional grantmaking? The Woodcock Foundation is changing that narrative.

Back in 2020, they made a bold commitment to full mission alignment, carving out 5% of their total assets (~$4.5 million) specifically for a catalytic capital portfolio—which includes an investment in BII Fund II.

For Woodcock’s Executive Director, Stacey Faella, a major turning point came during a field trip in Boston. Seeing the deep "sweat equity" of local community leaders along with BII’s financial innovation was all the proof she needed.

True systemic change requires looking beyond competitive financial returns to support lasting social and environmental progress.

Thank you, Woodcock Foundation, for standing with us as a Fund II investor!

Read more community breakthroughs in our 2025 Annual Impact Report:
https://bostonimpact.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2025-Impact-Report-FINAL-5.15.26-COMPRESSED.pdf

20/08/2026

Massachusetts is among the wealthiest states in the nation, but that prosperity is not equally distributed.

Mass ECHOS’ 2025 survey data reveals deep racial and economic disparities in wealth, with many families lacking the financial security and assets needed to build a stronger future.

In her latest piece, BII CEO Betty Francisco explores what this data asks of us and how we can move capital differently to build shared prosperity through business ownership, employee ownership, and affordable housing.

Read Betty’s thoughts on what it will take to close generational wealth gaps and move toward lasting systems change:
https://bostonimpact.org/2026/08/19/real-wealth-unevenly-held-what-mass-echos-asks-of-us/

13/08/2026

AI is transforming the way small businesses operate—but the biggest opportunities come from solving the right problems.

Join BII on Friday, August 21, from 12:00–1:30 PM ET for a free, interactive webinar on practical AI integration for small business operations. You'll learn a simple framework for identifying where AI can create the most value in your business and leave with an AI Opportunity Assessment Worksheet you can put to use right away.

The session will be led by Boaz Petrus of NovaDynamic Technology Services and is part of BII's GreenEdge Accelerator webinar series, funded by the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC).

This webinar is free and open to all businesses and community members.
Register today here: https://luma.com/0fxt2ggm

31/07/2026

What happens when communities have the resources to build solutions rooted in their own vision?

In East Boston, Eastie Farm is growing more than food—it is cultivating climate resilience, food security, and community power.

Their zero-emission, geothermal-powered greenhouse creates a year-round space for growing, learning, and connecting, demonstrating what is possible when innovative ideas are supported with the right resources.

Eastie Farm's relationship with BII also reflects the power of community investing. Originally a BII portfolio company, Eastie Farm achieved a successful exit and later became an investor in BII Fund II—helping provide values-aligned capital to the next generation of community-centered organizations.

Their journey—from investee to investor—illustrates how capital can circulate within communities, creating lasting impact and expanding opportunities for others.

Read more about Eastie Farm's story and other examples of community wealth-building in BII's 2025 Impact Report here:https://bostonimpact.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2025-Impact-Report-FINAL-5.15.26-COMPRESSED.pdf

30/07/2026

Before signing your next subcontract, make sure you understand what you're agreeing to.

Join BII for Reading a Subcontract: What You Need to Know Before You Sign, a practical webinar designed for small and midsize businesses operating in or expanding into the clean energy sector, GreenEdge Accelerator participants, and the broader BII community.

Experienced renewable energy attorneys Andrew Kim and Stephen Babendreier from will walk through the subcontract provisions that matter most when working under a developer, including scope and change orders, payment and retainage, indemnification, insurance requirements, and termination rights. Participants will learn how to identify key risks, understand what may be negotiable, and recognize when it's time to seek legal review.

This business growth seminar is designed to help businesses protect themselves as they pursue larger contracts. No legal background is required.

This business growth seminar is designed to help businesses protect themselves as they pursue larger contracts. No legal background is required.

Friday, August 7
12:00–1:00 PM ET
Virtual via Zoom
Register here: https://luma.com/p2s11sen

24/07/2026

It's hard to believe it's already been a month since BII's Summer Gathering. We at BII are still reflecting on what a special evening it was and want to say thank you once again to everyone who joined us. It was a joy to spend time with our community of entrepreneurs, investors, partners, and supporters celebrating the relationships that make this work possible.

Gatherings like these remind us that building community wealth is a collective effort, and we're grateful for everyone who continues to be part of this journey.

A special thank you as well to Jonathan Ward from Fund for Jobs Worth Owning, Abbeygale Anderson from Cross Impact Capital, Michele Courton Brown from Blue Cross Blue Shield, Gonzalo Puigbo from Somerville Community Corporation, and our moderator Iván Espinoza-Madrigal from Lawyers for Civil Rights.

This event was made possible with sponsorships from our Solidarity Supporter: Trillium Asset Management, and our Community Builders: AIM, eCratchit, NEIII, Reynders McVeigh Capital Management, and Riemer Braunstein. We're also grateful for the extra help on-site from our friends at Santander and coordinated with Catherine Medina Perez.

Photographer, Aiyah Josiah-Faeduwor, MBA, MCP captured many of the moments that made the night special.

We would also like to thank Merengue and Roundhead Brewery, for providing our food and drinks. We hope you enjoy looking back at a few moments from the evening. Here's to continuing to build community, catalyze social impact, and create new opportunities together!

20/07/2026

Please join us in welcoming Leah Brickman to BII as our Impact Investing Intern!

Leah supports the First Mover Fund and Impact Capital Lab programs while pursuing her MBA at MIT Sloan School of Management. She brings experience spanning impact investing, philanthropy, and social innovation, including co-founding Inspire Access Inc., supporting philanthropic initiatives at JUST Capital, and previous roles with Marsh McLennan, the Jimmy Fund, and Ascend at the Aspen Institute.

Leah is passionate about using capital as a force for good and believes strategic investing can help build a more equitable economy. We're excited to have her on the team and look forward to the perspective and energy she'll bring to BII's mission.

Welcome, Leah!

17/07/2026

Applications for the next ARC Fellowship cohort close in two days!

The Advancing Regenerative Capital (ARC) Fellowship is BII's flagship, eight-month, cohort-based program designed for justice-driven fund managers across the U.S. and Canada who are building impact-first integrated capital funds.

Through peer learning, expert coaching, and hands-on fund-building support, ARC equips participants with the tools, skills, and community to reimagine how capital flows—centering people, place, and long-term economic and environmental impact.

If you're ready to strengthen your investment strategy and join a network of leaders advancing community wealth, now is the time to apply!

Applications close July 19, 2026!

Learn more: https://bostonimpact.org/the-arc-fellowship/

Apply today: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdVyl8D0yGFCqCDX-XLxTQhBqejToCK6fADYCfQxcnhHvhjkA/viewform

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Opening Hours

Monday	09:00 - 17:00
Tuesday	09:00 - 17:00
Wednesday	09:00 - 17:00
Thursday	09:00 - 17:00
Friday	09:00 - 17:00

Telephone

+16177029132

Website

http://bostonimpact.org/

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