What Our Borrowers Have to Say
"We possessed the vision but, through many years of community organizing, there was a need for professional counsel and support. Equity Trust and our legal advisors have aided us tremendously. Equity Trust, as consultant, has helped us to make positive decisions and have provided a loan for the successful construction of a community center. The willingness of Equity Trust to help finance the purchase of this land provides a source of confidence for us. Our mission of cultural preservation, land retention and economic development is beginning to seem more of a reality. God Bless!"
-Carolyn Dowse
Executive Director, SICARS
"Southside Community Land Trust has worked with The Equity Trust since our formation in 1981 in creating a model land trust to serve urban areas. Since that time, we have depended on The Equity Trust for assistance in every aspect of our growth. We have benefited from their sage advice, we have utilized their facilities for organizational retreats, we have financed the purchase of properties through their loan program, and we have been the recipient of grants needed to better fulfill our mission. While we have certainly enjoyed the monetary aspects of our relationship with the Equity Trust, it is the concern, wisdom, and moral support we have received that we most value."
-Jane Jellison
Executive Director of Southside Community Land Trust
What Our Lenders Have to Say
"I want my savings shared to support the capital needs of community supported agriculture projects and low income cooperative housing, rather than to finance profit-making opportunities for banks and mainstream corporations."
-Karl Meyer, Equity Trust Fund Investor--Nashville, TN
"While land is becoming more and more expensive and the gap between the financially wealthy and everyone else is growing, it feels great to be supporting the work of Equity Trust. Their commitment to values of equality and justice really comes through in their creative land tenure work. Knowing that through long term lending to EquityTrust, I'm supporting dedicated farmers to stay on theirlandandcontributetoamorejustfoodsystem is particularly excitingto me."
-Leslie Goldstein, Equity Trust Fund Investor--Sunderland, MA
"I love the idea of helping to make local ownership a barrier against gentrification and 'redevelopment.' Too often people and projects that have worked so hard to make fragile neighborhoods better are forced out just when areas are coming back to life. If I can help keep speculative land-ownership from preying on vulnerable communities, I'm thrilled to be a part of that!"
-Bruce Triggs, Equity Trust Investor--Vancouver
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