Starter Playbook
Economic Justice & Wealth Building
Launch lending circles for credit repair, install community solar to reduce energy costs, and create food cooperatives to build household savings and reduce extraction.
What's Inside:
Mission Adelante (Kansas City) — Lending circles save families $120/month in interest
Sample budget: $2K lending circle | $15K community solar | $3.5K food co-op
90-day plan: Launch 10-member circle or organize grocery buying club
Five Ministry Types You Can Launch
From lending circles to community solar and food sovereignty networks, these ministries eliminate the "poverty premium" and build household wealth.
1. Lending Circles — Formalizing Social Collateral
Transform informal "sou-sou" savings groups into credit-building lending circles. Members contribute $50-$200/month and take turns receiving the lump sum while building credit scores. This converts social capital into financial capital.
Harlem Congregations for Community Improvement (HCCI)
HCCI partnered with Mission Asset Fund to formalize lending circles. Since 2016, the program has facilitated $915,000 in loans for 862 members. Participants average a credit score increase of 168 points—moving them from subprime to prime borrowing status.
- Total Loans
- $915,000 since 2016
- Members Served
- 862 participants
- Avg Credit Score Gain
- +168 points
Economic Impact: A 168-point credit score increase reduces mortgage interest rates by 2-3%, saving $50k-$100k over a 30-year loan.
Lending Circle vs. Payday Loan: Economic Comparison
| Feature | Payday Loan | Church Lending Circle |
|---|---|---|
| Loan Amount | $500 | $500 |
| APR (Interest Rate) | 300-400% | 0% |
| Repayment Term | 2 weeks (often rolled over) | 6-12 months |
| Credit Reporting | No (or negative only) | Yes—builds credit |
| Collateral Required | Car title / Next paycheck | Church membership (social capital) |
| Outcome | Debt trap & asset loss | Credit building & wealth start |
Sample Budget: 10-Person Lending Circle (Annual)
| Item | Detail | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Platform Fee (Mission Asset Fund) | Credit reporting & loan management software | $0-$500 |
| Facilitator Training | 1-day workshop for church coordinator | $200-$400 |
| Meeting Space & Refreshments | Monthly gatherings (12x/year) | $300-$600 |
| Marketing Materials | Flyers, bulletin inserts | $100-$200 |
| Default Insurance (Optional) | Church covers rare defaults | $500-$1,000 |
| Total Church Investment | $1,100-$2,700 | |
| Impact: 10 members x $1,200 loans = $12,000 in liquidity + credit score increases | ||
Economic Impact: Breaking the Predatory Lending Cycle
- Interest Savings: Replacing a 400% APR payday loan with a 0% lending circle saves $120/month in interest—equivalent to a $1,440 annual raise.
- Credit Building: 168-point credit score increase moves borrowers from subprime to prime, reducing future loan costs by tens of thousands of dollars.
- Financial Inclusion: Creates credit files for the 30% of African Americans who are "credit invisible," opening access to the formal economy.
- Social Collateral: Leverages church membership and community trust as "collateral," bypassing traditional barriers like property or stock portfolios.
2. Community Solar — Reducing the Energy Burden
Install solar panels on church roofs using zero-upfront-cost Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs). The Inflation Reduction Act now allows churches to receive 30-50% direct pay tax credits, making solar financially accessible.
Solar for BIPOC Houses of Worship — California Pilot
Three Black churches in California installed solar through RE-volv's Solar Seed Fund. The total investment of $120,000 is projected to generate $580,324 in lifetime savings over 25 years—nearly 5x return on investment.
| Church | Location | System Size | 25-Year Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| McGee Ave Baptist | Berkeley, CA | 14.2 kW | $197,085 |
| New Hope Baptist | Oakland, CA | 17.5 kW | $181,530 |
| Watts-Willowbrook | Compton, CA | 13.7 kW | $201,709 |
| Total (3 Churches) | $580,324 | ||
Solar Financing Options for Churches
| Model | Description | Church Investment |
|---|---|---|
| Direct Pay Tax Credits | Inflation Reduction Act: 30-50% cash refund for tax-exempt orgs | 50-70% of cost |
| Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) | Developer installs solar; church buys power at lower rate | $0 upfront |
| RE-volv Solar Seed Fund | Nonprofit finances upfront; church repays via PPA over 20 years | $0 upfront |
| DOE Efficiency Grants | Up to $200k for LED, HVAC, solar upgrades | Varies (grant) |
Typical System Cost: Small system (15-20 kW) = $20k-$40k | Large system (100+ kW microgrid) = $100k-$500k
Economic Impact: Energy Wealth Retention
- Bill Savings: Churches save $6,000-$10,000 annually on electricity. Over 25 years = $150k-$250k in unrestricted funds retained.
- Reinvestment: McGee Ave Baptist Church used savings to hire a youth director—converting energy capital into human capital.
- Resilience: Battery backup provides power during outages for medical devices, food storage, and emergency cooling centers.
- Workforce Development: Green The Church trains community members in solar installation, creating pathways to $18-$25/hr green collar jobs.
3. Food Sovereignty Networks — Soil to Sanctuary
Connect Black farmers directly with Black churches to bypass corporate middlemen. Churches become distribution hubs for fresh, organic produce at below-market rates, while farmers retain 90% of retail price instead of 10%.
Black Church Food Security Network (BCFSN) — Baltimore
Founded by Dr. Heber Brown III at Pleasant Hope Baptist, BCFSN connects Black farmers to Black churches through the "Soil to Sanctuary" model. The network received a $255,000 multi-year grant to build infrastructure like refrigerated vans, removing the logistical barrier between rural producers and urban consumers.
- Grant Funding
- $255,000 multi-year
- Infrastructure
- Refrigerated vans, distribution hubs
- Model
- Direct farm-to-church pipeline
Allen AME Church — $25K Farmers Market
BCFSN helped Allen AME establish a farmers market with just $25,000 in seed funding, partnering with Dreaming Out Loud for logistics. The market operates on a "pay what you can" model, providing fresh produce to food-insecure families while supporting Black farmers.
Sample Budget: Church-Based Food Co-op (Annual)
| Item | Detail | First Year | Recurring |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cold Storage | Used refrigerator/freezer or rental | $800-$2,000 | $0 |
| Farmer Partnerships | Contracts with 2-3 local Black farmers | $0 | $0 |
| Weekly Produce Purchases | $200-$500/week x 40 weeks | $8,000-$20,000 | $8,000-$20,000 |
| Marketing & Signage | Flyers, banners, social media | $300-$500 | $200 |
| Volunteer Coordination | Distribution day staffing (in-kind) | In-Kind | In-Kind |
| Total Investment | $9,100-$22,500 | $8,200-$20,200 | |
| Revenue Model: Members pay $10-$50/year + pay-what-you-can for produce shares | |||
Economic Impact: Wealth Circulation & Health Equity
- Farmer Income: Black farmers retain 90% of retail price vs. 10% through corporate wholesalers. This stabilizes farm income and supports Black land retention.
- Consumer Savings: Fresh produce at below-market rates = effective $600-$1,200/year income subsidy for families near poverty line.
- Health Economics: Nutrient-dense food prevents diet-related diseases (diabetes, hypertension), reducing medical costs and lost productivity.
- Dollar Velocity: Keeps money circulating in Black community longer—currently only 6 hours vs. nearly a month in other communities.
4. Credit Union Partnerships — Replacing Predatory Lenders
Partner with Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) to offer small loans that refinance toxic payday and auto-title loans. This converts 300-400% APR debt into 6-18% APR manageable debt.
Black Clergy Collaborative of Memphis + Hope Credit Union
BCCM partnered with Hope Credit Union to launch a "Borrow and Save" loan product offering $500-$1,000 loans with 6-18% APR (vs. 300-400% at payday lenders). Borrowers need only proof of income, residency, and a $10 membership fee + $15 share deposit.
- Loan Amount
- $500-$1,000
- APR Range
- 6-18% (vs. 300-400%)
- Entry Fee
- $10 membership + $15 deposit
Economic Impact: A $500 loan at 18% APR vs. 400% APR saves $120/month—equivalent to a $1,440 annual raise.
Friendship-West Baptist (Dallas) — Church-Owned Credit Union
In 2014, Friendship-West acquired a credit union (now Faith Cooperative Federal Credit Union) to offer a systemic alternative to auto-title loans. The church functions as the "lender of last resort," replacing predatory actors with a regulated, benevolent financial institution.
Economic Impact: Stopping Wealth Extraction
- Interest Rate Arbitrage: Refinancing a $1,000 title loan from 300% APR to 18% APR saves $2,820/year in interest.
- Asset Protection: Prevents auto repossession, preserving the car needed to get to work—protecting job tenure and income continuity.
- Savings Behavior: Required $15 share deposit initiates accumulation mindset, embedding borrowers in formal banking relationships.
- Credit Reporting: Positive loan repayments build credit history, creating pathways to future prime-rate borrowing.
5. Entrepreneurship Incubators & Pitch Competitions
Provide seed capital, technical training, and market access to Black entrepreneurs through micro-grants and pitch competitions. This fills the "friends and family" funding gap that exists due to lack of generational wealth.
The Joseph Center / Nehemiah Project — Illinois
Affiliated with Living Word Christian Center, the Joseph Center functions as a comprehensive Small Business Development Center. It has received $3 million in state appropriations for infrastructure and has trained 22,000 entrepreneurs globally, facilitated $3.1 million invested in businesses.
- State Investment
- $3M+ appropriations
- Entrepreneurs Trained
- 22,000 globally
- Capital Deployed
- $3.1M invested
Good Soil Forum — T.D. Jakes, Dallas
Annual pitch competition offering $500,000 in total seed capital grants. Unlike bank loans (require repayment) or VC (requires equity surrender), these are non-dilutive grants critical for early-stage business survival.
Sample Budget: Annual Pitch Competition
| Item | Detail | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Prize Pool | 3 winners: $10k, $5k, $3k | $18,000 |
| Judge Panel | 3-5 local business leaders (volunteer) | $0-$500 |
| Marketing & Outreach | Social media, flyers, radio ads | $1,000-$2,000 |
| Event Space & AV | Fellowship hall (in-kind) + tech | $500-$1,000 |
| Pre-Pitch Training | 2-week business plan workshop | $1,000-$2,000 |
| Total Investment | $20,500-$23,500 | |
Economic Impact: Closing the Capital Gap
- Friends & Family Gap: Black entrepreneurs receive less than 1% of venture capital. Church micro-grants fill the critical seed funding gap.
- Non-Dilutive Capital: Grants don't require repayment or equity surrender, allowing founders to retain ownership and control.
- Network Access: Incubators provide mentorship networks typically unavailable in marginalized communities—the "knowledge gap" and "network gap."
- Circular Economics: Buy Black directories increase dollar velocity in Black communities from 6 hours to multiple days/weeks.
Your 90-Day Sprint
Economic justice ministries eliminate the "poverty premium" and build household wealth. Start with one low-barrier play that leverages your congregation's social capital.
Launch a 10-Member Lending Circle
Days 1-30: The Foundation
- • Partner with Mission Asset Fund (missionassetfund.org) for platform and training
- • Recruit a church member with financial literacy background as facilitator
- • Announce from pulpit: "Join our Credit-Building Circle"
Days 31-60: The Recruitment
- • Target: 10 members willing to commit $50-$100/month for 10 months
- • Host an info session: "Build Your Credit While You Save"
- • Explain: Zero interest, builds credit, reported to all 3 bureaus
Days 61-90: The Launch
- • First meeting: Sign agreements, set monthly meeting date (e.g., 3rd Sunday)
- • Each month: One member receives lump sum, all make payments
- • Track credit score increases at 3, 6, 9 months
Key Metric:
Average credit score increase + dollars saved in interest
Organize a Grocery Buying Club
Days 1-30: The Farmers
- • Identify 2-3 Black farmers within 50 miles (use BCFSN directory)
- • Negotiate bulk pricing: Church buys $200-$500/week in produce
- • Secure one-time grant for used refrigerator ($800-$1,500)
Days 31-60: The Model
- • Launch "Fresh Food Sundays" — produce available after service
- • Pricing: Below grocery store rates or "pay what you can"
- • Recruit 3-4 volunteers for weekly distribution team
Days 61-90: The Expansion
- • Invite neighboring churches to join buying power (10 churches = better prices)
- • Apply for USDA Local Food Promotion Program grants ($50k-$250k)
- • Track: Pounds distributed, families served, farmers supported
Key Metric:
Pounds of produce distributed + farmer income supported
Access detailed guides, partnership templates, and financial models
Ready to Build Your Economic Justice Ministry?
Economic justice ministries convert social capital into financial capital—eliminating the poverty premium and building household wealth through cooperative economics.