Access Ventures

Neighborhood economics: when we lack Access to something that is required for our flourishing, community is broken, relationships are distorted, and problems emerge. The level of genuine impact within an area is a neighborhood, yet economic planning has historically been assumed into city-wide and regional approaches. The organization seeks to invest in, and encourage, the development of neighborhood-level economics. This takes the form of job creation, business development, housing solutions, commercial spaces, creative place making, and localized philanthropy. As we open up Access for the underserved, we build the community we all desire to live in.

Financial inclusion: in the united states, wealth inequality runs even more pronounced than income inequality. This lack of Access to financial services worsens inequality and the cycle of poverty. Without Access to financial services, low-wealth individuals become vulnerable to financial shocks, such as a car accident, hospitalization, or job loss. When families and individuals can save money; can Access affordable financial services for home, school and business; as well as exchange money in a safe manner, they can begin to invest in a better future. Financial inclusion leads to greater individual, family, and community stability. Inclusion is of benefit to the person, as well as society at large. In 2014, the organization partnered to bring kivazip and 0% financing to louisville as well as created a micro-loan program to partner with unbanked small businesses to provide Access to capital for them to thrive.

Housing insecurity: a major concern for communities across the country that leads to immense family instability. Vast numbers of vacant homes and businesses deteriorate the fabric of a community by increased crime rates, higher costs to the tenants given no other opportunity for residence, and making it difficult for businesses to be successful. False narratives related to the housing insecure abound that limit many organizations ability to provide services. Therefore, we work to identify and support emerging interventions that help more communities and people thrive. We work to see more people in more places have the resources to not only survive, but truly thrive. We also work to change the narrative of homelessness that hopefully leads to empathy and action.

Access to the economy: traditional banking and financial services exclude millions of individuals and small businesses. Inclusion in these financial systems leads to greater individual, family, and community stability. Therefore, we invest in companies and programs that improve Access to equitable capital, financial services, and the distributions of funds beyond traditional means for both personal and business financing to counter the effects of payday lending and improve opportunities for the unbanked and underbanked. Entrepreneurship is key to american dynamism and community flourishing and yet, Access to capital remains elusive for many. Therefore, we work to create alternative and geographically specific structures to build regional ecosystems.

Creative economy: we believe that people have the right to realize their full potential. An economy that encourages creativity accelerates growth and long-term community vitality by encouraging people to be their authentic selves. The creative economy surfaces and redeems the beliefs we identify with, and that we value, and exposes that which is possible. We work intentionally to create programs that support creators and their creative development as they mature in their craft.

Income from direct charitable activity - housing insecurity.

See part ix-a - summary of direct charitable activities.

Income from direct charitable activity - Access to the economy.

See part ix-a - summary of direct charitable activities.