JPMorgan Chase invests in Florida communities through FCLF

26 May 2020

JPMorgan Chase and FCLF, October 2019JPMorgan Chase Commits $400,000 to the Florida Community Loan Fund to Support Affordable Housing and Provide Essential Needs for Florida Residents during COVID-19

JPMorgan Chase is making a $400,000 philanthropic investment in the Florida Community Loan Fund (FCLF) to help provide a financial buffer for nonprofit affordable housing providers supporting single-family and multi-family housing homeownership and rental properties during the COVID-19 pandemic. The funds will also help provide essential needs – including food access, healthcare and community facilities – for those living in Florida communities most vulnerable to loss of income.

FCLF quickly developed a working capital emergency loan program for its borrowers affected by COVID-19. The program offers low-cost, flexible emergency working capital to nonprofit and mission-focused for-profit FCLF borrowers and is one of several tools FCLF has developed to ensure community development organizations can expand services and stabilize as they respond to the crisis.

“Florida’s service sector dependent economy has been hit hard by COVID-19. Our focus during the pandemic has been to help support and stabilize the community development sector in our state,” said Ignacio Esteban, FCLF CEO. “We are deeply thankful to JPMorgan Chase, and to dozens of other partners, for supporting our efforts during these times.”

The investment from JPMorgan Chase is part of the firm’s $250 million philanthropic and business commitment to address the immediate and long-term challenges of the COVID-19 crisis. This week alone, the firm is deploying $35 million in new philanthropic investments in communities across the U.S. and around the world, with a focus on communities of color and vulnerable populations globally, to help them access much-needed financial and technical resources during the crisis and prevent the opportunity gap from widening as the economy begins to recover.

“During this unprecedented time, it is critically important for Floridians to have access to affordable housing and essential needs,” said Mel Martinez, Chairman of the Southeast U.S. and Latin America for JPMorgan Chase. “We are making immediate investments to help those most affected by humanitarian challenges and looking into sustainable and innovative solutions to help small businesses and underserved communities recover with the crisis subsides.”

According to the JPMorgan Chase Institute, 65 percent of families don’t have the cash buffer to weather a simultaneous income dip and spike in expenditure like the one resulting from the COVID-19 crisis. Median Black and Hispanic families earn roughly 70 cents in take-home income for every dollar earned by White families. Racial gaps in liquid assets are twice as large. 50 percent of small businesses in the U.S. have less than 15 cash buffer days, meaning many small businesses are especially vulnerable in this environment.

JPMorgan Chase has collaborated with the Florida Community Loan Fund since 1998, providing operating support, equity grants and investments to extend the reach of affordable housing in Florida’s low income areas. In the last three years, the firm has invested more than $10 million in FCLF to increase affordable housing in Central Florida, and improve access to sustainable affordable housing near South Florida’s transit corridor.

Pictured above, South Florida Housing Link award announcement on October 30, 2019, at the Black Archives Historic Lyric Theater in the Overtown area of Miami. Photo courtesy of JPMorgan Chase.

“Thanks to FCLF we’re able to provide brand-new safe, affordable homes for 90 families in a sustainable mixed-use, mixed-income community." – Mitchell Rosenstein, Founder & Principal

Green Mills Group

"FCLF is a difference maker! Their team provides solutions to bring about real change in a community." – Tim Marks, President & CEO

Metropolitan Ministries

"BankUnited understands the challenges facing our communities; we applaud FCLF's efforts. Thank you for making our community a better place to live." – Katrina Wright, VP Comm. Dev.

BankUnited

"We commend the important work of your organization, are glad to support its efforts." – Beverly Dabney

JPMorgan Chase Foundation

"Our relationship with FCLF provides the capital to achieve long-lasting impact." – Terri Murray, Exec Dir

Neighborhood Renaissance

"Thank you to our friends at FCLF. Your staff has been patient and helpful. We'll make you proud!" – Bill Lazar, Executive Director

St. Johns Housing Partnership

“FCLF is much more than a financing entity; they are the ultimate partner. They are on the front line protecting and building resources for the most vulnerable in our community."– Seth Eisenberg

Purpose Built Families Foundation

"Trinity Health is happy to partner with FCLF. We look forward to seeing the impact in the communities you serve." – Sr. Kathleen Coll, SSJ, Administrator, Shareholder Advocacy

Trinity Health

“We cannot thank FCLF enough for this partnership, creating permanent housing for our neighbors in need, and their commitment to Florida communities.” – Shannon Nazworth, President & CEO

Ability Housing

"Aida Palms will be a lasting asset to the City of Lakeland. This revitalization wouldn't be possible without financing partners like FCLF." – Mitchell Rosenstein, Principal, Green Mills Group

Aida Palms

"Cade Museum is proud to be partners with FCLF and JPMorgan Chase. Thanks to the NMTC Program, we will provide a transformative asset to our community." – Jennifer Denault, COO

Cade Museum for Creativity & Inventi…

"FCLF shows a clear strategy and demonstrated evidence of addressing prevalent community needs." – J. Reymundo Ocañas, Director, Corp Responsibility

BBVA Compass

“FCLF provides stability for families, strengthens the region, and helps Truist fulfill our purpose to inspire and build better lives and communities." – Sandy Hostetter, Central Florida Region P

Truist

“The partnership with FCLF is very exciting for us – an essential component in providing greater access to fresh healthy food in downtown New Port Richey.” – Jeff Wright, Owner

Wright's Natural Market

"FCLF staff shares our vision and commitment to serve needy families and provide a high quality education to all children." – Thomas Cole, Founder

Emma Jewel Charter Academy

"We consider FCLF a valued partner and strong advocates for low-income communities and families. We look forward to many more years of working together." – Jennifer Westerbeck, Vice President

US Bancorp CDC

“FCLF will help us have significant ongoing impact in West Lakes as we help families set roots in this community.” – Camille Reynolds, Executive Director

Hannibal Square CLT

"FCLF has a keen knowledge of Florida challenges & opportunities. We are confident our investment will be used to improve lives." – Kathleen Rizzo Young, Sr. VP, Community Development

HSBC Bank USA, N.A.

"FCLF understands and is a part of what we are doing: helping families have the American dream of owning a home." – Isaac Simhon, Executive Director

Housing Programs, Inc.

"We appreciate how the work of FCLF primarily benefits low- to moderate-income individuals and areas and supports the needs of our community." – Maria J. Thompson, Community Development Manager

Third Federal Savings

Our Partners

FCLF CEO and one of our supporters visit the ASPIRA Arts Deco school.
FCLF CEO and one of our supporters visit the ASPIRA Arts Deco school.
FCLF and NMTC are creating a new facility for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Manatee County
FCLF and NMTC are creating a new facility for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Manatee County
FCLF and the NMTC Program renovated a historic building into a small business incubaor.
FCLF and the NMTC Program renovated a historic building into a small business incubaor.
FCLF Board Members represent our investors, borrowers, and technical experts.
FCLF Board Members represent our investors, borrowers, and technical experts.
FCLF projects create jobs and stimulate development in low-income communities.
FCLF projects create jobs and stimulate development in low-income communities.
Greater Heights offers new, safe, affordable rental homes in what was formerly a high crime area.
Greater Heights offers new, safe, affordable rental homes in what was formerly a high crime area.
FCLF Staff are on hand at conferences and events to discuss our programs.
FCLF Staff are on hand at conferences and events to discuss our programs.
FCLF Chief Lending Officer visits with the Executive Director of Neighbor Up (formerly BNDC)
FCLF Chief Lending Officer visits with the Executive Director of Neighbor Up (formerly BNDC)
FCLF representatives are ready to talk about your project success.
FCLF representatives are ready to talk about your project success.
New rental homes are available for farmworker families at Casa San Juan Bosco.
New rental homes are available for farmworker families at Casa San Juan Bosco.
FCLF financing to Housing Programs, Inc. helps provide affordable homes for ownership.
FCLF financing to Housing Programs, Inc. helps provide affordable homes for ownership.
FCLF staff with Tampa's Chloe Coney at Metropolitan Ministries Tampa.
FCLF staff with Tampa's Chloe Coney at Metropolitan Ministries Tampa.
Catholic Charities, Diocese of Venice, financed the land for farmworker rental housing with FCLF.
Catholic Charities, Diocese of Venice, financed the land for farmworker rental housing with FCLF.
Emma Jewel Charter Academy offers education  for the whole child in Brevard County.
Emma Jewel Charter Academy offers education for the whole child in Brevard County.
Nutritious snacks are a part of the healthy focused curriculum at Emma Jewel Charter Academy.
Nutritious snacks are a part of the healthy focused curriculum at Emma Jewel Charter Academy.
FCLF Staff meet and greet friends at an FLACDC event.
FCLF Staff meet and greet friends at an FLACDC event.
FCLF Financing to Neighbor Up Brevard helps provide affordable rental housing.
FCLF Financing to Neighbor Up Brevard helps provide affordable rental housing.
FCLF staff and supporters volunteer at Million Meals event.
FCLF staff and supporters volunteer at Million Meals event.
FCLF staff and US Legislative staff at an event honoring Youth of the Year.
FCLF staff and US Legislative staff at an event honoring Youth of the Year.
FCLF projects create jobs and stimulate development in low-income communities.
FCLF projects create jobs and stimulate development in low-income communities.
The duPont Fund used FCLF and NMTC Financing to revitalize downtown Jacksonville.
The duPont Fund used FCLF and NMTC Financing to revitalize downtown Jacksonville.
Rep. Ander Crenshaw visited KIPP Jacksonville School
Rep. Ander Crenshaw visited KIPP Jacksonville School
Residents at Neighborhood Renaissance's Mathis Place enjoy affordable rent.
Residents at Neighborhood Renaissance's Mathis Place enjoy affordable rent.
FCLF staff are active at statewide conferences and events.
FCLF staff are active at statewide conferences and events.
ASPIRA of Florida offers education & mentoring with a focus on low-income and Latino students.
ASPIRA of Florida offers education & mentoring with a focus on low-income and Latino students.
Support from Valley Bank helps FCLF build strong communities.
Support from Valley Bank helps FCLF build strong communities.
Support from TD Bank Charitable Foundation helps FCLF build strong communities.
Support from TD Bank Charitable Foundation helps FCLF build strong communities.
TD Charitable Foundation and TD Bank have supported FCLF's mission since 2006.
TD Charitable Foundation and TD Bank have supported FCLF's mission since 2006.
DuPuis Pointe offers affordable, hurricane proof homes in Miami.
DuPuis Pointe offers affordable, hurricane proof homes in Miami.
Support from Axiom Bank helps FCLF build strong communities.
Support from Axiom Bank helps FCLF build strong communities.
Neighbor Up, formerly BNDC, offers affordable housing in Brevard County.
Neighbor Up, formerly BNDC, offers affordable housing in Brevard County.
FCLF supporter, the Northern Trust Company, hosted a housing roundtable in Sarasota.
FCLF supporter, the Northern Trust Company, hosted a housing roundtable in Sarasota.
Rep. Daniel Webster visited FCLF staff.
Rep. Daniel Webster visited FCLF staff.
The RCRI Conference allows FCLF staff to touch base with our religious supporters.
The RCRI Conference allows FCLF staff to touch base with our religious supporters.
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Core Purpose FCLF exists to maximize opportunities for people and places outside of the economic mainstream.
Our Vision Opportunity and dignity exist for every person and community in Florida.
Our Mission Our expertise and capital make projects successful and help organizations improve lives and communities.