A Fund to finance renewable energy at Community Action Agencies and non-profits across the United States.
CAP Solar is a fund that makes productive capital investments in community action agencies and non-profits by installing and operating solar renewable energy projects which saves the agencies money on energy and promotes renewable energy at the point of consumption.
The fund uses capital from financial institutions, socially-motivated investors and accredited individuals to reach their social investment goals.
The fund based in Hackensack, New Jersey. CSOF is not affiliated with any governmental agency.
The Fund is a partnership of NCAF, BCCAP and Compass Point South.
CAP Solar Philosophy
We believe it makes good business sense to take advantage of social and demographic changes. Taking a future perspective, we see two powerful global trends that we believe will be key drivers in creating economic growth and prosperity in underserved areas.
First, we see incredible economic potential in the agency network, their buying power, stability, and their entrepreneurial flair. A growing body of research demonstrates that organizations who are actively managed, locally yield productive investments and greater economic growth.
Second, we see tremendous growth opportunities in organizations and businesses that embrace different values, turning social, ethical and environmental responsibility into their business advantage. Consumers and investors alike will increasingly look towards organizations that emphasize responsible behavior, resulting in a competitive advantage and increased business returns for those organizations. We simply reject the view that it is either about financial returns or social benefit. We think it is simply good business to do good business.
Values
- Initiative is very important to us because it aligns our initiative with the initiative of each organization around new capital, local and renewable energy production.
- Grass-Roots Action couples local problem solving around local solutions. The fund is intended to give more contro over energy production and innovation and decision-making, to the grass roots. Solar power is a very elegant, highly distributed form of energy production. We are working with agencies to accelerate this benefit.
- Straight talking means that we like to tell it as it is. We explain the pros and the cons, the risks and benefits and we try to do so in an easy to understand manner. We don't like to complicate things or throw around fancy words and phrases. Straight talking is also about candor, integrity and transparency. We will ask questions and challenge ourselves and others to improve our decision making.
- Collaboration emphasizes that the fund and the agency are together at the table. We are not selling a product to the agency. We are working together to make productive capital investments -- it only works, if we work together.
- We appreciate commitment. The fund is designed to address a need - energy. The investment represents a commitment from a number of constituents, the agency, the fund, the capital - to grow and change in a positive manner. We make investments that take into account the people side of the business, its management, values, governance and sustainability commitment. We think emotional due diligence is just as important as financial due diligence.
- Last but not least we believe in profits with principles. This means that we care how we make our profit. By behaving responsibly with regard to the environment, human capital and society, we accomplish better long-term results.
Benefits
At CAP Solar, we put together capital investors with productive investments. This directly benefits the local agencies in lower energy costs and shared dividends. In addition to helping people in disadvantaged communities, we provide a large network of diversified projects for community development investors, including banks, insurance companies and high net worth individuals.
Community-development investors can maximize impact by accessing a broader, productive set of projects.
