Investment Model

We are planting seeds to cultivate enduring, population-wide impact.

This is a long-term vision of success.

Gazebo in Albina's Dawson Park

Place-Making, Through Investment

There are many organizations that address acute needs of our community with short-term solutions. We have a different mission: transformation.

Outcomes at scale will only come through long-term investment in people and organizations who shape our community. So, our Fund is “seed” capital, planted in our community for generations to come. 


OUR INVESTMENT MODEL IS TWO-PRONGED

1. Investing in Community (i.e. grantmaking, our “Community Partnership” work)

2. Investing for Community (i.e. real asset investing)


Investing in community

GRANTMAKING | COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP

No single organization can realize enduring, population-wide impact on its own. We work alongside partners who share our vision of rooted, prosperous Black life.

There are three 1803 grant programs:

  • A sponsorship to support events that center Black life and wellbeing, bringing our community together en-masse.

    This is a public sponsorship opportunity.

    Application Instructions

  • A grant to support organizations creating places, experiences, and opportunities for Black joy and learning. We plan to work alongside community members to determine partner organizations. 

  • A collaboration-minded grant, where partners join cohorts to extend their access to shared ideas and opportunities, for up to five years. Cohorts are based on partners’ alignment with our program areas.

Community members listen to the Fall 2024 Black Unity Breakfast program

Community members listen to the Fall 2024 Black Unity Breakfast program. Photo by Juma Sei. 


Investing for Community

Our investments will acquire, build and maintain spaces in Albina for Black folks to thrive, while generating social and financial returns that grow our Fund to support our community in perpetuity. 

By “real assets,” we mean real estate, real estate loans or guarantees, infrastructure, and natural resources. Two principles guide our real estate investing:

REAL ASSET INVESTING

  • We will:

    • Incorporate our values in all investment decisions.  

    • Structure investments thoughtfully to consider impact at each level.  

    • Use a broad view of risk, including the risk of inaction. 

    • Acknowledge the interconnectedness of the repair of the physical infrastructure of Albina and the desired grantmaking outcomes in Place, Culture and Education.

  • We will:

    • Aim to learn from our relationships with community partners. 

    • Take deliberate risks and recognize that failure is a part of leadership.  

    • Serve as a national model for restorative investment.

The eastside waterfront, overlooking the Steel Bridge

The eastside waterfront, overlooking the Steel Bridge. Photo by Juma Sei.

We invest in and for our people, seeking both social and financial return. Broadly, we see our work as “place-making,” through investment.

WHAT WE DO