While conversations about community development often focus on affordable housing, education, or public policy, one of the most powerful — and often overlooked — tools is where we choose to bank.
That was the focus of a recent gathering at Remerge Atlanta, where more than 30 women celebrated the Atlanta launch of Invest for Better — a national nonprofit that empowers thousands of women to build financial confidence and invest with purpose through peer learning circles and community events.
With support from Atlanta-based Brighter Investing, the new Atlanta Hub will help women explore how everyday financial decisions can strengthen communities while aligning with their values. Brighter is a Public Benefit Registered Investment Advisor and Certified B Corp that specializes in mission-powered investing, so it is a natural host for the Invest for Better movement’s budding chapter in the Southeast.
The evening focused on what many consider the first step in values-aligned investing: banking with purpose. Participants learned how the money in checking and savings accounts already shapes communities through the loans and investments made by financial institutions. Every deposit already finances something. The question is not whether our money creates impact, but what kind of impact it creates.
Self-Help Credit Union was honored to share how mission-driven financial institutions such as community banks, credit unions, and Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) expand access to responsible credit in communities that have historically faced barriers to capital. Values-aligned deposits from individuals, businesses, nonprofits, foundations, and faith communities provide the capital that enables institutions like Self-Help to finance affordable housing, first-time homeownership, nonprofit facilities, and other community investments.
The collective opportunity is profound. If just 1% of the more than $20 trillion held in U.S. bank deposits were redirected to mission-driven financial institutions, it would unlock over $200 billion to support affordable housing, small businesses, community health centers, childcare facilities, and other investments that strengthen local economies.
Moving forward, the Invest for Better Atlanta Hub will continue bringing women together to learn and explore ways to align their money with their values. Women interested in attending future events and peer learning circles are encouraged to connect here: Invest for Better | The Atlanta Hub.
This is sponsored content.
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