Tzedec: The Jewish Partnership for Community Investing

Tzedec is the only national Jewish program for community investing in low and moderate-income neighborhoods. Through education, organizing, and lending, Tzedec creates partnerships between Jewish investors and these communities. 

Tzedec pools low and no-interest loans from Jewish philanthropic investors, and reinvests those funds in Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) to serve individuals, businesses, and nonprofits typically neglected by mainstream banks. 

Tzedec’s goal is to increase Jewish investment and involvement in the work of revitalizing and rebuilding healthy low and moderate-income neighborhoods. Tzedec works with Jewish individuals, foundations, federations, businesses, synagogues, and nonprofits to help them invest for social change, creating jobs, housing, and community services.

The Tzedec program includes:

Tzedec Community Initiatives:  As of June 2007, Tzedec has organized $1.3 million in Washington, DC, $1.3 million in Los Angeles, $1.4 million in Baltimore, $1.8 million in the Gulf Region, and is developing an initiative in South Florida.  Tzedec investment activity is also underway in Boston, Philadelphia, and the Gulf Region, in response to hurricanes Katrina and Wilma. Click here to learn more.

Tzedec’s current loan fund stands at $7.3 million, with 81 investors and loans and deposits in 36 CDFIs across the country. To learn more, and become involved, click here.