The Bay Area Family of Funds is a regional effort, developed by the Bay Area Council, to attract private capital into low and moderate-income neighborhoods through “double bottom line” (DBL) investing. The Family of Funds leverages its investments in these communities through projects that promote smart growth, address poverty, support local businesses and clean up contaminated sites with market-based solutions.

It has raised over $215 million for DBL investments through four separate funds: the Bay Area Smart Growth Funds I & II, the Bay Area Equity Fund, and the California Environmental Redevelopment Fund. The Funds’ investors consist of banks, foundations, pension funds, insurance companies, individuals, and other corporations, and are expected to leverage $1 billion of investment in Bay Area low-and-moderate income communities over a ten year period.

These market-based investments will simultaneously address economic prosperity and environmental quality in underserved neighborhoods throughout the region. This smart growth program will engage the Bay Area’s disadvantaged communities to capitalize their underutilized workforce, land, and resources in ways that create wealth for existing low-to-moderate income community residents and contribute to continued regional health and well-being.