Socially Responsible Investing - Community Investment

Creating opportunities in communities is a wonderful thing. Community investment, as a hands on strategy is a great way to get this done. Socially responsible investing (SRI) can help to meet some great needs in communities, and the end result often is that you have built a better and stronger neighborhood. That usually is the goal anyway.

I hope more people consider investing into their communities in the future, one way or the other, regardless of if it is done with their money, or time or any kind of efforts. There are several ways it can be done with SRI. The bottom line, is that one's investment helps to create opportunities for those that need it.

One way is for a community investment fund to be set up. You may see local banks step in at this point. They can help with rates for the SRI investors, etc. The most simple option is to invest with a checking or savings account at a community development bank in the area. Credit Unions get involved as well. These institutions will take deposits from anywhere in the country however, it need not be just local involvement.

Those investing in this way to help their communities take a part by purchasing CD's which the banks help by issuing at the going rates. The banks can lend money also at great rates to people in particular investment areas. You sometimes will find that states and federal funds are included in the package. The goal is to help people and communities, but you can see how everyone really benefits. I love a win win situation like that, where it is hard to deny the power of such a program and idea. Its hard to not want to be a part of that.

Certain neighborhoods are benefited from such programs. The loans are money to be put right into a community to encourage growth and development. It can generate a feeling of new life in a community that desperately needs it.

For instance, low income individuals can have the chance at housing where they maybe couldn't even dream of it before. This has become a primary focus in these communities where the investments are taking place. It makes sense too, because people have a sense of community and "home" which they will want to protect and help, hopefully.

If a community doesn't have decent housing for example, you can't expect that community to really flourish, not every easily anyway. The goal being economic growth as part of the bigger set of goals needs to be addressed. Starting with housing is the perfect place.

Individuals that would love to start their own business, may be able to get into a micro loan where they never could before. This creates hope and excitement for the future. The larger community benefits overall when these other smaller communities have a chance to grow and flourish. That is what is needed much more than these communities just getting so bad everyone has to leave. Thank you to all that invest in Communities through Socially Responsible Investing.