Beneficial State Foundation

We’re excited to welcome guest speakers William Bradford and Michael Verchot from the UW Foster School of Business for an important conversation on racial disparities in small business lending. Their new research reveals that people of color continue to face inequities in loan pricing, even after accounting for financial factors. It also highlights disparities in other loan terms, including stricter co-signer requirements for borrowers of color compared to white borrowers. This is the most comprehensive dataset on small business lending inequities since the Federal Reserve’s 2003 Survey of Small Business Finances. Join us to explore what these findings mean for lenders, borrowers, and the broader financial industry, and to connect with peers working toward financial justice. 📅 Date: April 9, 2025 🕛Time: 12 PM PT Register here: https://lnkd.in/gMS8i5gt

At Beneficial State Foundation, we recognize the powerful contributions of women in finance who are driving economic justice and financial inclusion. This month, we’re spotlighting our Controller, Emily Ellickson-Brown, whose journey from community organizing to mission-driven finance offers inspiration for all of us. Learn about Emily’s path, her passion for financial empowerment, and her advice for women in leadership. Read the full conversation here: https://bit.ly/4bDdiMs #WomensHistoryMonth #FinancialEquity #WomenInFinance

Congratulations to Darnell Grisby on being named the new Chair of the California Transportation Commission (CTC)! Darnell has been a powerful advocate for equitable, sustainable, and accessible transit, pushing for policies that center racial justice and climate resilience. Read more about his vision and what this means for California’s transportation future: https://lnkd.in/gahN6Y5W #TransportationEquity #BlackLeadership #EconomicMobility

Our Executive Director, Erin Kilmer Neel, is a mentor for CLTRE: EveryDay Creative, a 12-week accelerator for Sacramento-based BIPOC founders. Learn from her expertise in racial justice in banking, social impact, and values-driven capital. The deadline to apply is today: bit.ly/licltrecreative25!

Join us in welcoming Living Future’s new Board Treasurer, Erin Kilmer Neel! As the Chief Impact Officer and Executive Director of Beneficial State Foundation, Erin brings a wealth of experience in racial justice, social impact, and ethical banking. For over a decade, she has been instrumental in shaping Underwriting for Racial Justice and Equitable Bank Standards and leading impact measurement at Beneficial State Bank. We’re thrilled to have Erin’s visionary leadership and deep community insight guiding us as we continue advancing regenerative and equitable solutions for the built environment. Welcome, Erin!   - #LivingFuture #RegenerativeFuture #NonprofitLeadership #SocialImpact #RacialJustice

Nonprofit organizations and foundations have a powerful opportunity to align their financial practices with their missions. By assessing where their funds are held, these organizations can ensure their money supports, rather than contradicts, their values. This includes choosing banks that prioritize social equity and responsible investing, turning financial resources into tools for positive change. Revisit our 2020 story for Nonprofit Quarterly, which breaks down how organizations can ensure their financial choices support their values. #BankingOnChange #MissionAlignedBanking #BankBlackGreen  #BankingForJustice #NonProfits

Black History Month honors Black resilience, leadership, and contributions. At Beneficial State Foundation, we believe true progress demands more than celebration—it requires action, accountability, and a commitment to racial and economic justice. We spoke with Angelique Cooper, our Industry Relations & Partnerships Manager, about what Black History Month means to her and how we can drive lasting change. Read more here: https://bit.ly/4hZEMOg. #BlackHistoryMonth #RacialJustice #EconomicJustice

Our Industry Relations Director, Francis Janes, recently took part in the Black Home Initiative (BHI) All-Partner Summit in Federal Way, Washington. BHI is a community-driven network led by influential Black leaders across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors, working to address racial disparities in homeownership. As a key convener and facilitator, Civic Commons—an initiative of the Seattle Foundation—helps drive BHI’s mission forward. Beneficial State Foundation also contributed by providing essential racial justice training for BHI partners through the Washington Homeownership Resource Center. #CommunityImpact #RacialEquity #Homeownership #RacialWealthGap

We stand with Beneficial State Bank in their strong support of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and join them in calling on the administration to restore and protect its critical work immediately. We all deserve fair and transparent financial products, and the CFPB is a necessary tool to make that possible. #CFPB #ConsumerProtection #EconomicJustice

ICYMI: Our conversation on “Financing Employee Ownership & Racial Wealth Equity” is now available to watch! Huge thanks to everyone who joined our latest Underwriting for Racial Justice (URJ) discussion. Special shoutout to our amazing speakers, Dorian L. Gregory, CPA of Cooperative Fund of the Northeast, Julie Menter of Transform Finance, Henry Noel Jr. of Boston Impact Initiative, and Julian S. McKinley of The Democracy at Work Institute. We explored how employee ownership can build wealth and reduce racial inequities, an issue of continual importance. By rethinking underwriting and loan products, we can expand business ownership and create generational wealth. 🎥 Watch the recording & sign up for the next discussion: 👉 https://lnkd.in/gwNucfX9 #RacialJustice #EmployeeOwnership #WealthEquity #URJ