Investing in Baltimore’s Neighborhoods

NIIF is an innovative public-private partnership that provides powerful tools to deliver capital to benefit historically disinvested neighborhoods in Baltimore.

While our state is among the richest in the nation and certain areas of Baltimore City benefit from significant private investment, too many of the City’s neighborhoods struggle with poverty, a history of segregation and racial discrimination and continued disinvestment. NIIF was established as an independent 501(c)(3) organization working in alignment with the City to deliver loans with flexible terms, to promote community development and to enhance inclusive economic growth. Initially capitalized by a $51.7 million loan from the City, NIIF works to leverage additional support and investment from philanthropies, financial institutions and mission investors. NIIF has a defined set of Eligible Neighborhoods where it can deploy capital that have been set by the City.

NIIF is guided by a 15-member Board of Directors, 12 of whom are independent and three who are representatives of City government. The Board and management team have extensive expertise in impact investing, private and non-profit lending, investment and real estate development.

Now of hard hats on shovels.The Board and management team have extensive expertise in impact investing, private and non-profit lending, investment and real estate development.

In working to advance inclusive neighborhood development, NIIF collaborates and supports the efforts of community-based partners, City and State government, CDFIs, foundations and others who are working to further neighborhoods. NIIF works with these stakeholders, leveraging their efforts to support housing, commercial development, community facilities and business activity to promote stability and growth, enhance wealth and improve quality of life in neighborhoods that have long been ignored.