Millions of people around the world live in poverty, struggling to find jobs, provide for their families and secure decent housing. They often lack access to the essential financial services necessary to be self-sufficient. As a result, the gap between rich and poor is widening. The Calvert Foundation allows everyone to support communities through investments that offer financial and a social return. Community investment helps close the gap between rich and poor by channeling flexible, affordable capital to communities underserved by traditional financial institutions. This capital can enable families and the communities they live in to rise above the cycle of poverty. With the heavy toll of predatory lending and the ensuing growth of mortgage foreclosures, community investment is indeed more important than ever for protecting low-income families and getting them into safe, affordable housing. The Calvert Foundation works to educate the financial industry – and the public at large – about the impact that can be leveraged through community investment. Their recent partnership with eBay company MicroPlace is bringing microfinance investment to a whole new audience, allowing investors to purchase a Note online for as little as $100. 
Website: http://www.calvertfoundation.org/ The intersection of Money and Meaning
What is Community Investment?
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