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Our Curriculum

Overview of Training:

The Community Finance Academy offers AI-powered, action-based training programs designed to transform community support into community ownership. Our comprehensive approach includes access to a full digital curriculum, personalized coaching, campaign templates, and cohort-based learning models utilizing tools like Google NotebookLM, Gemini, and Workspace. 

Detailed Program Offerings:

Community Capital & Reg CF Campaigns:

  • Fundamentals of Reg CF: Learn how to raise up to $5 million from both accredited and non-accredited investors through online platforms, offering equity or debt.

  • Power for Local Investment: Understand how Reg CF keeps money local, supports local businesses, builds community ownership, addresses local needs, generates local returns, and reduces economic leakage.

  • Legal & Regulatory Frameworks: Comprehensive training on Reg CF (Regulation Crowdfunding) guidelines, including investor limits, disclosure requirements (Form C), and the use of SEC-registered funding portals.

Real Estate Crowdfunding for Social Impact:

  • Focus on applying crowdfunding to real estate projects such as affordable housing, mixed-use developments, and community land trusts. 

  • Case Study: "Fifth Ward Renaissance": Learn from the "Buy the Block" initiative in Houston's Fifth Ward, where community-led investment transformed blighted properties into affordable homes and Black-owned businesses, creating jobs and fostering community pride while generating investor returns. This project avoided gentrification and became a model for self-determined neighborhood revitalization. 

Community Investment Funds (CIFs):

  • Definition & Purpose: CIFs are collective investment vehicles that pool capital from local residents, institutions, and impact investors to fund projects generating both financial returns and significant community benefits, prioritizing a "triple bottom line" approach.

  • Types of CIFs: Learn about Community Development Loan Funds (CDLFs), Community Real Estate Funds, Local Equity Funds, and Cooperative Investment Funds. 

  • Benefits: Understand the extensive economic benefits (local wealth creation, access to capital, diversified economy, increased tax base, reduced economic leakage) and social/environmental benefits (community ownership, addressing local needs, job creation, improved quality of life, environmental sustainability, social cohesion).

Digital Fundraising Tools, Templates & AI Coaching:

  • Access cutting-edge AI tools to enhance campaign effectiveness and efficiency.

  • AI-Driven Content Creation: Learn to use AI for automated copywriting, storytelling enhancement, and visual content suggestions.

  • Targeted Outreach & Marketing: Utilize AI for audience segmentation, personalized messaging, and ad optimization (including Facebook Ads strategy) for maximum reach and conversion.

  • Campaign Performance Analysis: Monitor real-time analytics, gain predictive insights, and conduct A/B testing with AI.

  • Investor Relations & Support: Employ AI-powered chatbots for automated FAQs and sentiment analysis to promptly address investor concerns. 

Investor Engagement & Legal Compliance Readiness:

  • Receive comprehensive training on navigating the legal landscape of investment crowdfunding, ensuring compliant and transparent campaigns. 

  • Understand the intricacies of Reg CF, Reg A+, and state-specific intrastate offerings. 

The "CrowdFit" Framework:

Co-founder Bill Huston's "CrowdFit" framework is a cornerstone of the Community Finance Academy's approach, adapted for local community investment campaigns. It emphasizes: 

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  • Strategic Planning 

  • Compelling Storytelling 

  • Digital Marketing Mastery (especially Facebook Ads strategy) 

  • Community Engagement 

  • Investor Readiness 

  • AI Integration 
     

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