Gardner Capital and Kiva Partner to Accelerate Minority-Led Small Business Access to Finance in Texas

DALLAS, Nov. 24, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Gardner Capital, a private equity firm and alternative investment platform specializing in multifamily housing and renewable energy development and investment, is partnering with Kiva through Gardner Capital's GCRE Upward Mobility Fund to accelerate minority-led small business access to finance in Texas.

The partnership will initially focus on supporting BIPOC small business owners in the Dallas and Houston markets, and provide a revolving fund to match loans raised on Kiva's crowd-funding platform ? both increasing the total funding available and accelerating the speed of funding loans for entrepreneurs.

"We are truly thankful for the opportunity to begin our partnership with Kiva through our initial loan matching fund ? this is just the start of what we expect to be a truly long term partnership and one that we can grow substantially with additional funds in the coming years," said Michael Gardner, Founder of the GCRE Upward Mobility Fund and CEO of Gardner Capital. "We are committed to providing additional funding for new loan matching programs with Kiva on an annual basis."

This recent commitment from the GCRE Upward Mobility Fund is a part of Gardner Capital's broader commitment to provide more than $5mm in capital to support upward mobility in financially excluded or historically underserved communities through a variety of programs and partnerships including direct equity investments, venture and seed capital, low interest soft funding, grants, and other funding.

 About Kiva

 Kiva is an international nonprofit, founded in 2005 and based in San Francisco, that celebrates and supports people looking to create a better future for themselves, their families and their communities. By lending as little as $25 on Kiva, anyone can help a borrower start or grow a business, go to school or realize their potential. And since it's a loan, not a donation, you can recycle the same funds over and over to multiply your impact. Through Kiva, each of us has the power to create opportunity and help others work towards their dreams? whether it's a loan to a farmer in rural Kenya or a rooftop farmer in Detroit.

For more information, visit www.kiva.org.

 About the GCRE Upward Mobility Fund

 Launched in 2020, the GCRE Upward Mobility Fund provides low interest soft loans, grants, venture and seed capital to initiatives that focus on upward mobility, renewable energy, EV adoption, or initiatives focused on investment in otherwise underserved markets. The Fund is expected to commit more than $500,000 annually for programs that align with the Funds investment goals and guidelines. For more information or to inquire about funding opportunities, please visit GCRE Upward Mobility ? Funding Page.

 About Gardner Capital

 Gardner Capital is a private equity firm and alternative investment platform with multiple operating businesses focused on affordable housing and renewable energy development, tax credit syndication, as well as real estate-related investments, joint ventures and capital partner relationships. The firm has offices in St. Louis, Dallas, Houston and Orlando. Since 1992, Gardner Capital has placed more than $3 billion of equity in affordable housing and related investments. In recent years, Gardner Capital added a rapidly growing national platform for solar development and investments, expanding its commitment to renewable energy and sustainability across its investment platform. Additionally, the firm launched multiple alternative investment funds focused on renewable energy and EV adoption, upward mobility and investments in underserved markets. We are committed to investing in communities, supporting upward mobility, and improving the wellbeing of families by developing, investing and increasing access to capital for affordable housing, clean energy and entrepreneurs. For more information, visit www.gardnercapital.com. 

Company Contact:
Mike Koehler
Chief of Staff and Director of Solar Development for Gardner Capital
(314) 561-6065
[email protected]

Media Contacts:
Amy Power /Stacey Gaswirth
The Power Group for Gardner Capital

SOURCE Gardner Capital