The Health Foundation’s commitment to meaningfully impacting the community extends far beyond traditional grantmaking. Through impact investing, the Health Foundation can draw in additional resources from co-investment partners like community development financing institutions to address crucial community needs such as affordable housing. This approach deepens the impact of the Foundation’s grantmaking and expands its ability to tackle issues requiring more significant resources. 

In 2022, the Health Foundation made a $1M impact investment in the Florida Community Loan Fund (FCLF), which provides flexible capital and staff expertise to low-income communities across Florida. With this funding, FCLF supported the acquisition of land and the rehabilitation of affordable housing units, including a mixed-use development for office and community space. 

The South Florida Community Land Trust directly benefited from the Health Foundation’s impact investment approach. With financing from the FCLF, South Florida Community Land Trust purchased land for a future 200-unit multifamily development in Miami’s Overtown neighborhood. 

Under Caprock 123/Project Peach, a new mixed-use development in Overtown will provide opportunities for community-based nonprofits with civic uses and three affordable residences. With financing from the FCLF, this development pays homage to the entrepreneurial and community spirit of the former bottling company. 

Finally, SMASH – Struggle for Miami’s Affordable and Sustainable Housing –purchased a previously leased home in Liberty City to acquire and rehab multifamily housing with FCLF financing. The six-bedroom house provides co-housing space for low-income adults volunteering with SMASH in community outreach and organizing. 

“We are grateful for the leadership and support of the Health Foundation of South Florida. The Health Foundation’s groundbreaking impact investment in FCLF is helping us maximize opportunities for people and places outside of the economic mainstream.” – Ignacio Esteban, CEO, Florida Community Loan Fund 

Overall, the Health Foundation’s impact investment approach is proving to be an effective tool in addressing critical community needs and positively impacting people’s lives.