Impact Investing
What is it?
As the Topeka Community Foundation works to create a community that is resilient, prosperous, and equitable for generations to come, we are expanding our thinking and our tools. Impact Investing is a tool that the Foundation is now using to create sustainable and transformational change. Impact Investing provides a loan, equity investment or guarantee to non-profits, for-profits, and intermediary partners, with the central purpose of social good that also provides a financial return.
Why are we doing this work?
Community challenges are complex and often require resources beyond the reach of grantmaking. There is a gap between the need for capital and what the private market will provide. Impact Investments will target programs that would not happen without the Foundation’s capital. Local banks and other financial intermediaries are considered partners, not competitors. Impact Investing has the potential to create long lasting and systemic changes that will benefit the most vulnerab
Focus Areas for Impact Investing
The Topeka Community Foundation is committed to using data to guide where and how our investments can create the greatest local impact. Our focus areas are rooted in the social determinants of health and align with our mission to serve the most vulnerable neighborhoods in our community.
Access to Healthcare
Increasing availability and accessibility of health services for individuals and families.
Safety and Stability
Supporting projects that strengthen neighborhood safety, housing stability, and community well-being.
Where We Focus
Using data from the City of Topeka Health Map, we prioritize neighborhoods with health composite scores in the "At Risk" or "Intensive Care" ranges. These areas reflect communities facing significant challenges and where investments can help create meaningful, long-lasting change.
Education and Opportunity
Expanding access to quality education and workforce development programs that build long-term success.
Our Approach
Impact Investing puts people and community ahead of financial returns. While financial performance remains important, our primary measure of success is lives changed. This approach allows the Topeka Community Foundation to focus on mission fulfillment, create greater flexibility in our investments, and unlock additional assets to support transformative projects across our community.
Tell us about your project.
We’re excited to learn more about your idea. This brief form is the first step in our funding process. It’s not a formal application, but helps us understand your project and determine if it may be a good fit for our Impact Investment priorities. Once submitted, our team will review the information and follow up with next steps.
Tara Dimick, Local Impact Investment Committee Member
“Impact Investment is an opportunity for donors to be a part of something bigger than what one person or one fund can achieve. Together we can serve our community by investing in those that see a need and can fill a need but need someone to invest in them and their idea. Together we can make transformational and lasting change for the people of Topeka.”
Investing in House to Home with Topeka Habitat for Humanity
How it started….
At the Topeka Community Foundation, we are committed to creating lasting, positive change in our community. That’s why we partnered with Topeka Habitat for Humanity through an Impact Investment Loan to support their House to Home program.
Through this investment, we empowered Topeka Habitat to expand its reach, improve housing stability, and enhance the quality of life for homeowners. Watch the videos below to see the impact of this partnership in action.
How it’s going.
Leslie Fleuranges, Local Impact Investment Committee Member
“My entire career has focused on thinking differently and innovating new ways to positively impact the lives of consumers via products and services. Being a part of the Impact Investing Committee continues that work. In this instance I have the opportunity to focus on my community of Topeka to transform the lives of families and businesses otherwise overlooked via innovative thinking, planning and funding.”