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Washington, DC — On July 3, 2023, the Earth experienced its hottest day on record. Some cities faced temperatures as high as 121 degrees Fahrenheit. Overwhelming scientific evidence indicates that we must transform our policies and behaviors to combat climate change and address environmental injustice. Scientists and activists are leading the way alongside community leaders and practitioners in the field. Progress toward a sustainable future will involve armies of partners across the globe.  The complexities …

Partners and friends, It’s been another busy month at VCCSE! Read on to learn what we’ve been up to. Rise and Shine with VCC Social Enterprises On May 17, VCCSE held its first in-person investor event since 2019! The event was held at the beautiful Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden in Richmond, VA, and was attended by an energized group of our key partners and investors. The event was designed to share how our organization has …

Partners and friends,  April was an exciting month for VCCSE and the community development field. Let’s recap some of the highlights. VCCSE Staff Retreat Week  The week of April 24th was transformative for our organization. After spending the past seven months developing a strategic plan, I was so happy for our entire staff to come together in Richmond, Virginia to reconnect and explore our future. Whether it was our Management Committee and Mission, Equity, and …

Partners and Friends, March has been an incredibly active month with ample opportunities for the CDFI sector to take part in advocacy and education, and VCCSE has been right on the frontlines of engagement. Critical issues related to economic development, climate change, and affordable housing require active participation by CDFIs like us to ensure investors, philanthropy, and government provide the appropriate support to help us meet the needs of the communities we serve. Below is …

Our Initiative Initiated in 2013, the Virginia Fresh Food Loan Fund (VFFLF) is a $10 million revolving loan fund that enables VCC to provide technical assistance and lending capital to food-based projects in Virginia from farmers to produce aggregators to retailers. To date, VFFLF is supported by Healthy Food Finance Initiative (HFFI) grants provided by the CDFI Fund of the US Dept. of Treasury. Combined with robust partnerships, HFFI grants enable VCC to offer resources …

Want to know what’s on our CEO’s mind this month? Find out below! Partners and friends, For all of us at VCC Social Enterprises (VCCSE), 2023 began with a busy January. Following a year marked by both deep impact and strong economic performance, I am energized by the level of staff engagement with investors, customers, and the communities we serve. For many of our neighbors, 2022 also brought continued struggles with COVID-19, housing affordability, job …

Invest Appalachia (IA), a regional social investment fund built by and for the people of Appalachia, has a clear goal: to accelerate and expand community investment across Central Appalachia. To do so, IA builds on the region’s existing strengths, working side-by-side with partners who are rooted in place and understand their communities. After six years of collaborative stakeholder design, Invest Appalachia is now a fully operational platform positioned to do just that. In November 2022, …

As we embark on a new year, I am humbled by the experiences of my first year with VCC Social Enterprises (VCCSE). I learned a lot from our investors, partners, communities, and customers. Most importantly, I value the work with our team and what we’ve accomplished together so far. Each member of our organization has been exceptional in their commitment to our mission and the communities we serve. I am excited about the expansion of …

The Tenth Annual Washington County Business Challenge, a competitive six-week training program, will begin on January 17, 2023, and award over $36,000 in funds and services to startups and expanding businesses within the towns of Abingdon, Damascus, Glade Spring, and Washington County, Virginia.   The Challenge’s mission is to foster small business development and job opportunities around Washington County. Over 90 business owners have participated in this program over the past nine years, with 73% still …