Acquisition
Loans to help buy land or property in high-impact areas.
How the Fund Works
Inside the region’s most transformative affordable housing funding model
The We Lift Catalyst Fund helps projects move faster with flexible loans, local input, and a sustainable system that keeps money flowing from one project to the next.
The more partners invest, the more homes we can make real.
The more partners invest, the more homes we can make real.
What we offer
Support from groundbreaking to ribbon-cutting
We offer targeted support when and where it's needed.
Predevelopment
Support for the early work that gets a project ready to build, like planning, reviews, and permits.
Construction
Help with building costs, from labor and fees to materials and equipment.
Gap financing
Funds that help nearly-financed projects get those last dollars in place.
Technical assistance
Hands-on support with underwriting, local approvals, licensing requirements, and other steps that can slow a project down.
Process
How we bring housing projects home
Through the We Lift Catalyst Fund, Lift to Rise works with the Low Income Investment Fund (LIIF), the Rural Community Assistance Corporation (RCAC), and dozens of partners to find strong projects that need support, bring in resources, and turn those dollars into loans developers can use right away.
Here is our process.
Here is our process.
Tracking
1. Calculate how much money is needed to keep affordable projects moving
Year-round, Lift to Rise tracks the regional affordable housing pipeline to monitor progress on projects countywide and find out how much funding is needed to close any budget gaps.
Fundraising
2. Bring the money together
Once Lift to Rise calculates the financial need, we raise that money through public, private, and philanthropic funding.
Lending
3. Match investments and deliver loans
Nonprofit partners including the Low Income Investment Fund (LIIF) and the Rural Community Assistance Corporation (RCAC) match Lift to Rise’s contributions to the Fund and underwrite loans for eligible housing projects.
Reinvesting
4. Put repaid loans back into new projects
As developers repay loans, those dollars go back into the Fund to keep more homes moving through the pipeline.
GO DEEPER
What makes the fund work
The We Lift Catalyst Fund is powered by housing experts, financial partners, community advocates, mission-driven organizations, and local leaders working together to jumpstart affordable housing across the region.
Take a look at the tools we use to make that happen.
Flexible Funding
See how we use flexible loans to unlock strong projects with the right money at the right moment.
Revolving Loans
See how our revolving model puts repaid loans back to work to support more homes over time.
Impact Partnerships
See how we use unexpected partnerships to create opportunities for even bigger impact.
Getting funded
How we partner with developers
We work closely with developers to make sure each project is a good fit for the We Lift Catalyst Fund and each loan is designed to set projects up for success.
Outreach
1. Connect
Lift to Rise and the Fund Manager connect with eligible developers, then the Fund Manager vets each project based on Fund requirements, underwriting, and community needs.
Agreement
2. Set the terms
If a project qualifies, the developer and Fund Manager agree on the loan terms, interest rate, timeline, and other key details.
Close
3. Finalize and deliver
Once the loan is approved and closed, the Fund delivers the loan and the project moves forward.
Repayment
4. Repay
After the housing is built and residents have moved in, the developer repays the loan according to the terms, putting money back into the Fund for future projects.
Eligibility
How we choose projects
The projects we support meet our “3 Rs” criteria, addressing local communities’ most urgent needs.
Rent burden
We look for projects that lower local housing costs—especially for people earning 80% of the area's median income or less.
Regional equity
We choose affordable housing across the region. That way, we create affordable homes everywhere they’re needed most, not just in select areas.
Readiness
We back mission-driven developers that have site control, experience building affordable homes, and a clear plan, so our loans are put to good use.
Community voice
Building from the ground up
Most housing funds decide what gets built then ask the community to support it afterwards. We bring local residents into the conversation early, so the homes we fund reflect what communities truly need.
Accountability
Accountability is central to our process
Lift to Rise’s Community Advisory Committee (CAC)—made up of local residents—conducts quarterly lending reviews and guides the Fund's strategy to keep our work grounded in community needs.
Further, as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Lift to Rise undergoes independent financial audits, reporting requirements, and partner oversight to make sure every dollar is handled responsibly.
Together, community members and partner organizations keep the Fund transparent and accountable.
Further, as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Lift to Rise undergoes independent financial audits, reporting requirements, and partner oversight to make sure every dollar is handled responsibly.
Together, community members and partner organizations keep the Fund transparent and accountable.
Contact
When we lift together, we rise together
Affordable housing takes builders, backers, and partners. Wherever you fit in, the We Lift Catalyst Fund gives you a way to make an impact.
