Putting Economic Power Back in the Hands of the Community
REAL People’s Fund is a community-powered fund and entrepreneurship program targeting a $10M raise. Our program includes non-extractive capital, holistic business support, and opportunities to build political power for BIPOC* entrepreneurs in East Bay communities.
We are part of a movement to build collective wealth and decision-making power in our communities while working towards a restorative and inclusive economy.
When local businesses thrive, we thrive.
*BIPOC includes Black, Indigenous, Spanish-speaking/Latine, Asian/AAPI, low income, immigrant, undocumented, formerly-incarcerated and working-class communities of color
Our Program is the REAL Deal.
We’re committed to an economic future that is rooted in community care, collective prosperity, and shared power.
Our program includes:
Holistic Business Support
Our program begins with advising to help the entrepreneur get ready to take on funding. This includes developing a robust and tested business and funding plan with clear financial projections. After receiving funding, entrepreneurs receive ongoing advising to improve operations, remain flexible through business pivots, and keep businesses thriving locally.
Business advising is provided by our partner, Uptima Entrepreneur Cooperative
Flexible, Low-Cost Capital
We are not a bank, so we don’t operate like one. Our funding program is a collaborative process based on mission alignment, business preparedness and strength of relationship through character-based underwriting. We don’t rely on credit scores or personal assets to make our investments. We operate with transparency, trust, and care.
Building Community Power
Power is created through collective action. As part of a larger movement-building program, our goal is to strengthen the leadership and political engagement of local entrepreneurs. We collectively organize to provide political education trainings and resources so we can shift the power away from harmful, inequitable systems and create long-term social, economic, and political change that benefits our community.
Ready to Connect?
Invest in the Movement
We’re not just envisioning a more equitable or inclusive economy – we’re actively building one.
We are democratizing financial systems and shifting the power of financial decision-making back into the hands of the community. As an investor, partnering with us means centering the needs of communities of color and investing in our right to access capital.
Be part of the movement that’s building an economic future rooted in justice, equity, accessibility, and care.