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.
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)
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.
Woodland Financial Partners (WFP)
Woodland Financial Partners (WFP), formerly known as NiiJii Capital Partners (NiiCaP), provides financing and development services for Native American entrepreneurs and small businesses for Members of Wisconsin's 11 federally recognized Tribes. They are located on the Menominee Indian Tribe's Reservation in Keshena, Wisconsin.
Working Capital for Community Needs
WCCN is a Madison-based nonprofit that lends money through its Capital for Communities Fund to 25 partner organizations in ten countries in Central and South America. The partner organizations usually take the form of financial or agricultural cooperatives that make microloans to low-income entrepreneurs, particularly to women living in rural communities. Their goals include locally controlled development, redistribution of economic resources, gender equality, and fair labor practices.
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.
How Do I Invest?
Fill out the form on this page 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.