Fund
Sustainable Leadership Forum
Program Investment Fund
Description
The Program Investment Fund is one of a number of tools of financial empowerment for leaders in the sustainability movement. A source of “seed loans” for member initiatives, the Fund design is built partly on the model of micro-loan programs, combined with elements from financial permaculture, the Transition Movement, credit unions, credit exchanges, special-purpose currencies, and traditional program and investment funds.
Each member who chooses to invest in the fund will be able to track his or her own individual contribution, and be involved in deciding on the uses of the funds. The Fund will act as a revolving loan program for member projects, for the purpose of seeding new sustainability initiatives and expanding existing ones. Risks will be spread across all contributors in such a way that in the event of a project failure no individual’s contribution would be wiped out. Returns will also be apportioned equally to each account. Individuals can withdraw their uncommitted balance as needed any time beginning twelve months after the date of their contribution, or add to it if they so choose, and will participate in decision-making in proportion to their contributed capital.
The Fund will be managed so as to return a surplus after administrative costs, which surplus may be returned to the members and/or reinvested in further projects. The Fund may also be leveraged, provided that leverage is hedged by an insurance premium dedicated to ensuring the ongoing financial integrity of the Fund and/or individual guarantees. As a demonstration of “community credit,” the operations of the Fund will be entirely transparent and open to public scrutiny.
At the same time, no guarantees are offered as to performance. Individuals should only contribute funds they are willing to put at risk, and are willing to have managed on a collaborative basis with other members.
To make a contribution, indicate here the level of your commitment: $_____________
(The amount shown here should match the figure entered as “Program Investment Fund commitment” on the other side.)
Sign & date below, along with your phone number. Someone will call to arrange the transfer.
______________________________ _________________ ___________________
Signature Date Phone