Boston Impact Initiative

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) is now accepting proposals for its Health Equity Research for Action (HERA) funding opportunity. This initiative supports community-rooted, action-oriented research that advances health equity and addresses structural discrimination and misinformation. Eligible applicants include U.S.-based organizations with strong, established community partnerships (2+ years). 🗓️ Letter of Intent deadline: May 14, 2026 (3 PM ET) Know a team doing impactful work in this space? Share this opportunity! Link: https://lnkd.in/eC_PzBqa 

The new Henry K. Oliver School in Lawrence, MA is already making a meaningful impact—bringing together 1,000 elementary and middle school students in a modern, connected learning environment. Over three years, Synergy Contracting, Inc., a BII portfolio company, played a critical role across every phase of the project—from environmental remediation and demolition to insulation, drywall, and final cleaning—helping drive the full transformation from start to finish. We’re proud to celebrate Synergy’s recognition by the City of Lawrence and their commitment to delivering high-quality work that directly benefits their community. This is what community-rooted businesses can achieve—creating lasting impact for the next generation. Watch the documentary: https://lnkd.in/eMJwsndz

Congratulations to Jose LaSalle on being named the 2026 Outstanding Young Alumni Award recipient in Electrical and Computer Engineering! As Co-Founder and CEO of florrent, a BII portfolio company, Jose is advancing innovative, sustainable energy storage solutions with the potential to strengthen and stabilize our power systems. We’re proud to have florrent as part of the BII portfolio, and to support work that is driving both climate innovation and equitable impact. Excited to see what’s ahead, and well deserved recognition for this milestone! Read more here: https://lnkd.in/euzheFSV 

Where does impact matter most—and how can we direct capital accordingly? Our Impact Investing Intern, Rajat Kumar, explores this very question in a new blog introducing a GIS-based Impact Score tool for Massachusetts. By combining data on demographics, economic conditions, and business activity, this approach highlights where opportunity gaps and investment potential are greatest. The findings are clear: in many communities, particularly Gateway Cities, diverse populations are not reflected in business ownership, pointing to persistent structural barriers and untapped potential for catalytic capital to make a difference. This work reflects our ongoing commitment to advancing data-driven, place-based strategies that support BIPOC entrepreneurs and build more inclusive local economies. As Rajat’s internship comes to a close, we’re grateful for his thoughtful contributions and the impact of his work since last summer. Wishing him all the best in what’s ahead! Read Rajat’s blog about the methodology, insights, and what’s next here: https://lnkd.in/eXvW_hvw 

What do we really mean when we talk about “fellowship”? In her latest blog, Shavon Prophet, MBA, Director of Education & Partnerships at BII, reflects on her first year leading the ARC Fellowship—and how the concept of "kapwa", a shared sense of self and connection, has shaped what the program is becoming. This isn’t just about training fund managers. It’s about building a community grounded in trust, relationship, and a shared commitment to shifting capital toward communities historically excluded from wealth. We were proud to celebrate the ARC Class of 2026 at this year’s capstone event, marking the culmination of a powerful year of learning, connection, and growth! From lessons learned to what’s ahead for the next cohort, this piece offers a deeper look at the people, values, and vision behind the work. Read more about what fellowship can truly mean—and what we’re building together: https://lnkd.in/eaij9zKw

We were grateful to have been part of this year’s Latin American Business Organization Inc (LABO) once again! BII is proud to work closely with LABO and stay engaged with their incredible network—so it’s always a highlight to show up, connect, and celebrate the work being done to uplift Latin American businesses and communities. A big thank you to LABO and Elizabeth Cruz for hosting such an energizing event, and to everyone who stopped by our table to learn more, share ideas, and build new connections. Your support and enthusiasm make all the difference. Connect with us to keep the conversation going!

The ARC Capstone Celebration & Showcase is almost here! Join us on April 29 for a virtual gathering featuring fellows from the 2025–2026 ARC Fellowship as they share their fund strategies, insights, and lessons from the program. This event is open to funders, ecosystem partners, practitioners, and anyone interested in the future of community-centered finance. Register here: https://lnkd.in/ePThbHX9

Most capital strategies optimize for scale. What if we optimized for shared ownership instead? For SOCAP26, BII's Lubna Maria Elia has teamed up with Abbeygale Anderson of Cross Impact Capital, and Blair Evans of People's Network of Land and Liberation, to propose a session exploring how different capital approaches can build the solidarity economy—centering power, participation, and long-term wealth building. It’s designed as a World Café because the answers aren’t fixed—they emerge through dialogue. If you want to see more spaces like this at SOCAP, this is your last chance to vote for our session! Vote here: https://lnkd.in/eXAmeSDr

We talk a lot about “closing gaps.” But what if the real work is changing the system that created them? For SOCAP26, BII has proposed a session with Cross Impact Capital and PNLL that looks at how capital can actually redistribute power—through ownership, governance, and long-term ecosystem building. We’re structuring it as a World Café so it’s not about passive listening. It’s about wrestling with the tension together and learning across approaches. If you’re thinking about capital differently right now, this conversation is for you. 48 hours left to vote! Voting is open through April 26: https://lnkd.in/eXAmeSDr

Salem Alliance for the Environment (SAFE) is hiring for two summer interns in Salem, MA 🌱: Programs Intern + Communications Intern $18/hr · 30 hrs/week · Hybrid Bilingual (Spanish/English) strongly preferred Perfect for students interested in environmental justice, community engagement, and content creation. Know someone who’d be a great fit? They can apply by sending a short interest paragraph + resume to admin@salemsafe.org (Subject: “SAFE Communications Internship Application”)