News

Why CDFIs Are the Next Frontier for Impact Investing

Evolving Capital for an Evolving Field: Why CDFIs Are the Next Frontier for Impact Investing The community development finance field is moving into a pivotal new chapter. Over the past decade, Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) have grown dramatically in scale and sophistication. Once largely small, niche lenders operating on razor-thin margins, many CDFIs today […]

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Jasmine Mercado Recognized as one of Madison 365’s Most Influential Leaders in Wisconsin

News / FCI

Since its founding in 2015, Madison365 has annually recognized Wisconsin’s most influential Black and Latino leaders. This September, the publication is once again highlighting outstanding professionals from across the state’s Latino communities — honoring elected officials, business leaders, and community advocates who are making a lasting impact in their local areas. Forward Community Investments is

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How Do CDFIs Work?

News / FCI

Looking for flexible financing as a nonprofit or community-based organization? Working with a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) might be the right path for you. Find out: What CDFIs are What the different types of CDFIs are What products and services CDFIs offer How CDFIs and traditional banks are different What are CDFIs? Community Development

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Forward Community Investments, Inc. (FCI) Provides $8 Million NMTC Allocation to Support Development of New Wautoma YMCA

News, Press Release / FCI

WAUTOMA, WI, September 11th, 2025 – Forward Community Investments, Inc. (FCI) has provided an $8 million New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) allocation to support the development of a new 30,000-square-foot Wautoma YMCA in Wautoma, Wisconsin. In total, $18 million in NMTC allocation has been committed to this project, which will increase childcare capacity, expand community

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Forward Community Investments, Inc. (FCI) Allocates $13 Million in NMTC to Catalytic Boys & Girls Club of Janesville Facility

News, Press Release / FCI

MADISON, WI, August 20th, 2025 – Forward Community Investments (FCI) is proud to announce a $13 million New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) allocation to support the construction of a new 35,500-square-foot Boys & Girls Club of Janesville (BGCJ) facility on a remediated Brownfield site in Janesville, Wisconsin. This investment expands organizational capacity, addresses the shortage

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Moxie Development Collective – Bringing Socially Impactful Environments to Life

Partner Highlight, News / FCI

Moxie Development Collective is a passion-driven real estate development and construction management company providing services for underserved neighborhoods primarily in the Greater Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis Metropolitan Area. The company founder, Angie Tabrizi, worked alongside Forward Community Investments on the Meta House Project Horizon, building on our common desire to empower local communities through nonprofit and community-focused

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Forward Community Investments Featured in the Summer Issue of the UMOJA Magazine

Announcement, News / FCI

UMOJA Magazine is Wisconsin’s oldest African-American-owned publication, serving Dane County and the broader state for nearly 30 years with a mission to highlight the positive contributions of the Black community. Acquired in 2018 by UMOJA Magazine-Madison, Inc., a nonprofit formed by the Urban League of Dane County, it continues to publish monthly (excluding August) and

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Lincoln-King Center Brings Expanded Access to Healthcare and Youth Programming in Racine

Announcement, Impact Stories, New Markets Tax Credits, News, Projects / Kirby Toon

Forward Community Investments awards $10 million in NMTCs to support transformative mixed-use facility Forward Community Investments (FCI) is proud to support the Lincoln-King Community and Health Care Center in Racine, WI with a $10 million New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) allocation. This investment is helping bring to life a long-anticipated project that will expand access

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FCI Welcomes Darrell “DJ” Hines to Board of Directors

Announcement, News / Kirby Toon

Forward Community Investments (FCI) is pleased to announce the addition of Darrell “DJ” Hines II to its Board of Directors. As a respected leader in Milwaukee’s faith, nonprofit, and business communities, Hines brings a wealth of experience in community development, operations management, and economic empowerment that will help advance FCI’s mission of stabilizing neighborhoods and

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FCI CEO Ryan Zerwer Receives 2025 Best of Madison Leadership Award

Announcement, News / Portia Adney

To Forward Community Investments President & CEO, Ryan Zerwer, leadership isn’t just about guiding an organization. It’s about having a strong sense of vision, driving impact, and an unwavering commitment to his team and the people the organization serves. In today’s evolving nonprofit landscape, the traditional divide between mission-driven work and business strategy is rapidly blurring.

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