In the aftermath of natural and man- made disasters, America’s low-income communities suffer the most acute devastation. After the initial period of disaster recovery, these neighborhoods and communities need patient, low-cost capital to reestablish themselves. Though faith-based investors are often eager to respond, they vary widely in their rate requirements, risk tolerances, and on-the-ground community development experience.

The Isaiah Funds are investment tools designed to help faith-based institutional investors effectively and securely supply capital for post-disaster economic rebuilding.

The Isaiah Funds emerged from the efforts of the Katrina Investment Response Team at the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility (ICCR). They are composed of two complementary funds: a Redevelopment Loan Fund and an Access to Capital Grants Fund.

The Redevelopment Loan Fund utilizes existing relationships within the faith community and broader community investment fields to support neighborhood-based redevelopment.

The Access to Capital Grants Fund aids the faith community in making grants that leverage community investments made by the Redevelopment Loan Fund, as well as investments made by banks, non-profits and public financing entities.

The Isaiah Funds’ initial efforts will be focused on Gulf Coast recovery. Decisions on grant and loan recipients will be made by key Isaiah Funds sponsors with other investors and experts.