Community Investment Program

The WCC’s Community Investment Program (CIP) is a way for local church members, congregations and member denominations of the Wisconsin Council of Churches to invest in ways that are socially responsible, local, and incarnational. Through this program, you are able to invest in selected community development financial institutions (CDFI’s) throughout Wisconsin. CDFI’s are loan funds, credit unions, banks and venture capital organizations which help distressed communities, low- and moderate-income people, and minority populations to develop housing, employment and business opportunities.

How the Program Works

The Wisconsin Council of Churches issues promissory notes to its members and re-lends or re-deposits the proceeds in CDFI’s – providing investors with diversification and lower administrative costs than one could obtain by acting individually. The current minimum investment is $2,000 for and the maximum investment is 15% of the fund (currently about $80,000). Through these investments, the program has approximately $500,000 invested in community development finance institutions in the state. Annual interest rates in recent years have averaged 2.17%. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Who Oversees the Program?

WCC staff is in regular communication with CDFI representatives. Our Finance and Fund Development Committee oversees the program; staff of the CDFIs themselves oversee the investments CDFIs make in their local communities. As part of their responsibilities, committee members review materials provided by CDFIs, join WCC staff on site visits, and make decisions on renewals and reinvestments.

Current Holdings

  • CAP Services
    Located in Stevens Point, CAP Services lends money to low and moderate income households and businesses to help them achieve home ownership, adequate housing, and business development in Central Wisconsin.

  • First American Capital Corporation (FACC) performs business development activities that benefit Wisconsin’s Indian Country by increasing access to capital in the form of business loans, providing technical assistance services that strengthen the skills of our entrepreneurs, and by advocating for Indian owned business opportunities, both on and off the reservations.

  • Forward Community Investments, Inc. (FCI)
    FCI’s investments go to non-profit affordable housing development and rehabilitation projects, economic opportunity and job creation, and community service facilities throughout Wisconsin. The FCI mission includes revitalizing economically disadvantaged communities and providing increased access to capital. See an interview by WCC staff here

  • NiiJii Capital Partners Inc.
    NiiJii Capital Partners provides alternative financing (loans) and development services (technical assistance and training) for entrepreneurs and small businesses on the Menominee, Mole Lake and Lac du Flambeau Reservations. niicap.org Working Capital for Community Needs administers the NICA Fund which lends money through eleven partner organizations in Nicaragua. The Nicaraguan CDFI’s provide capital for economic development in lowincome communities. Their goals include locally controlled development, redistribution of economic resources, gender equality, and fair labor practices. wccn.org

  • Wisconsin Native Loan Fund (WNLF) lends to members of the eleven federally recognized Tribes in the State of Wisconsin and their documented descendants, building capacity for individuals and families to help them become economically stronger.

  • Working Capital for Community Needs administers the NICA Fund which lends money through eleven partner organizations in Nicaragua. The Nicaraguan CDFI’s provide capital for economic development in low-income communities. Their goals include locally controlled development, redistribution of economic resources, gender equality, and fair labor practices. org

  • The Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corporation (WWBIC)
    WWBIC is an economic development corporation that provides business education, technical assistance and access to capital throughout Wisconsin. WWBIC’s programs include lending funds, business education, economic development, and business mentoring. See an interview by WCC staff here.

The Community Investment Program’s cash accounts are held in locally-owned community banks in south-central Wisconsin.

How do I Invest?

Email us for an Executive Summary and Participation Agreement. Documents may be completed electronically and funds submitted by check or EFT. Investors may join the Program or add funds at any point in the year. Withdrawals may be made once a year subject to the terms of the Participation Agreement.