Faith-based nonprofit leaders at the symposium discussed financing strategies for housing and human-services work and described how their organizations have adapted to changes in philanthropic and government funding.

Panelists included Dr. Rudy Rasmus (Bread of Life; Timonos Community Development), Reverend Byron Jones (Together for Good), George Anderson (chief operating officer, Fountain of Praise) and other local faith leaders. Council member Willie Davis moderated and framed the discussion by noting his long-standing interest in community finance and the role of churches as community anchors.

Main takeaways

- Diversifying funding: Several leaders said their organizations are pursuing private equity, philanthropy and earned‑revenue models in addition to municipal and federal grants. Dr. Rasmus said his development corporation has pursued private equity partnerships to help finance permanent supportive housing projects that were difficult to fund through public sources alone.

- Relationship banking and CRA: George Anderson said the Fountain of Praise built relationships with banks and with individual bankers who could speak the lender’s language; that helped speed a multi‑million‑dollar financing effort for a new building. Leaders encouraged faith organizations to build internal financial capacity and identify board members with banking or real‑estate experience.

- Adapting to funding cuts: Reverend Byron Jones described operating transitional housing and wraparound services and said his nonprofit has had to pivot in the face of grant reductions. He urged other nonprofits to strengthen boards, cultivate donors and explore development projects that generate revenue to support mission work.

Practical steps recommended to faith-based organizations

- Build or hire financial and development expertise on staff or boards; benchmark best practices from peer organizations.
- Tell a clear impact story and pair it with financial metrics when seeking private capital.
- Use CRA channels, bank partnerships and community development financial institutions for bridge financing and gap funding.

Ending

Panelists framed the faith community as a durable local partner for housing and social services but said sustainability requires combining relationships with banks, careful financial planning and, where appropriate, private investment. Council member Davis said his office will follow up with banks and organizations to support faith leaders that want to expand development and service work.