communities first fund
Communities First Fund is a nonprofit philanthropic intermediary that connects Black, Indigenous, People of Color, and low-wealth communities with federal infrastructure funding through technical assistance, a state accelerator, a fellowship, and a 100+ member alliance.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded-
- Headquarters—
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What communities first fund does
Communities First Fund is a nonprofit philanthropic intermediary housed within the Amalgamated Foundation that supports community-led public investment, technical assistance, advocacy, and infrastructure planning. The organization was founded to help frontline communities—Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC), and low-wealth communities—access federal infrastructure funding made available through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), and Justice40-covered programs. Its primary stakeholder groups are BIPOC and low-wealth communities, state and local government agencies implementing federal infrastructure investments with equity goals, and philanthropic foundations seeking community-led deployment channels. The organization is led by Co-Presidents Helen Chin (Founder) and Stephanie Gidigbi Jenkins, with a core team of approximately 5–10 staff supplemented by contracted fellows and partners.
The organization delivers an integrated ecosystem of programs rather than a technology product. Core offerings include the Communities First Technical Assistance Resource Bank (a curated online portal with toolkits and federal funding guides), the Just and Clean Energy Future—State Implementation Accelerator (currently serving a five-state cohort: Maryland, Michigan, Rhode Island, South Carolina, and Washington), the Transformative Justice Infrastructure Fellowship (for public sector leaders in transportation, water, housing, planning, and environmental sectors), the Communities First Infrastructure Alliance (a network of more than 100 technical assistance providers, community organizations, and leaders), and the Communities First Principles framework (seven guiding values including Invest in People, Center Community Wisdom, and Repair Past Harm).
The business model is philanthropic intermediation: the organization receives funding from foundations and government sources to distribute grants and operate programs, with no product sales or licensing. Reach is domestic (United States), and strategic partners include PolicyLink, Race Forward, the Government Alliance on Race and Equity (GARE), NRDC, NASEO, AASHTO, NUMO, Emerald Cities Collaborative, Lawyers for Good Government, and dozens of Alliance members. Documented downstream impact includes over $18.5M in federal, state, and philanthropic investment mobilized for a community action plan in Macon, GA, and over $2.0B in infrastructure projects completed across 40 school campuses in New Orleans.
communities first fund firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- communities first fund
- Legal name
- Communities First Fund
- Website
- https://communitiesfirst.us
- Company type
- Private
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Communities First Fund is a nonprofit philanthropic intermediary that connects Black, Indigenous, People of Color, and low-wealth communities with federal infrastructure funding through technical assistance, a state accelerator, a fellowship, and a 100+ member alliance.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
communities first fund industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Community Development and Social Equity Advocacy
- NAICS
- Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Social Justice & Human Rights Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAN)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Public Charities & Grantmaking Intermediaries (BPAGAKAE), Community Health & Prevention Program Funding (HLAJALAF), Community Development & Affordable Housing Funds (FSANAJAK)
Keywords
communities first fund business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Others, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Grantmaking and philanthropic funding: Communities First Fund operates as a philanthropic intermediary housed at the Amalgamated Foundation. The organization receives funding from foundations and government sources to distribute grants to frontline communities and BIPOC organizations, and to run programs like the State Implementation Accelerator and Transformative Justice Infrastructure Fellowship.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
communities first fund product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Communities First Fund is a nonprofit philanthropic intermediary that connects Black, Indigenous, People of Color, and low-wealth frontline communities with federal infrastructure funding (IIJA, IRA, ARPA, Justice40). It operates the Technical Assistance Resource Bank, the Just and Clean Energy Future—State Implementation Accelerator, the Transformative Justice Infrastructure Fellowship, and the Communities First Infrastructure Alliance (100+ member network), and distributes grants and convenes partners to advance community-led, racially just infrastructure investment.
Product overview
Communities First Fund operates as a non-profit organization offering a suite of programs and resources focused on advancing racial and climate justice through community-led infrastructure solutions. The core offering is the Technical Assistance Resource Bank, a curated online portal providing toolkits, federal funding guides, and technical assistance resources. This is complemented by the Just and Clean Energy Future—State Implementation Accelerator (helping states navigate federal investments), the Transformative Justice Infrastructure Fellowship (training public sector leaders), and the Communities First Infrastructure Alliance (a 100+ member network of technical assistance providers). The organization also provides guiding principles for equitable infrastructure investment. The portfolio functions as an integrated ecosystem of programs, resources, and partnerships rather than a traditional software product.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Communities First Technical Assistance Resource Bank A curated online resource portal connecting frontline community groups, nonprofits, policymakers, and businesses to materials relevant to accessing federal infrastructure funding, including toolkits, networks, technical assistance, and links to relevant funding resources that center community leadership and equity.
- Just and Clean Energy Future—State Implementation Accelerator A state-focused accelerator program helping states leverage new federal investments including the Inflation Reduction Act, Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and Justice40-covered programs to build resiliency and improve the health, economy, and well-being of residents in low-income and disadvantaged communities.
- Transformative Justice Infrastructure Fellowship A fellowship program for public sector leaders in transportation, water, housing, planning, and environmental sectors designed to enhance coordination for the equitable implementation of federal infrastructure dollars and connect government practitioners to frontline community-led projects.
- Communities First Infrastructure Alliance A network of more than 100 technical assistance providers, frontline communities, and community leaders working to center racial and climate justice in the implementation of new infrastructure investments, bringing together government, philanthropy, and investment partners.
- Communities First Principles A set of seven guiding principles (Invest in People, Proactive Collaboration, Center Community Wisdom, Honor Self-Determination, Practice Responsiveness & Accountability, Bridge Integrative Pathways, and Repair Past Harm) for directing federal and investment resources to community-led solutions.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over $18.5M in federal, state, and philanthropic investment mobilized for Macon, GA community action plan
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use communities first fund
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
communities first fund technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
communities first fund partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
31 partnerships are on record, tiered core founding partner, core partner, key partner, supporting partner, alliance member and core.
- PolicyLinkcore founding partnerLaunched the Communities First Infrastructure Alliance alongside Communities First Fund, Race Forward, and others. PolicyLink is a national research and action institute advancing racial and economic equity.
- Race Forwardcore founding partnerCo-founder of the Communities First Infrastructure Alliance. Race Forward is a national organization that builds awareness, solutions, and support for people of color.
- Government Alliance on Race and Equity (GARE)core founding partnerPartner in launching the Infrastructure Alliance and co-developer of the Transformative Justice Infrastructure Fellowship.
- Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC)core partnerKey partner in the State Implementation Accelerator and Infrastructure Alliance supporting clean energy and infrastructure investments.
- New Urban Mobility Alliance (NUMO)core partnerStrategic partner in the Infrastructure Alliance focused on sustainable mobility and transportation equity.
- New School Tishman Environment and Design Centercore partnerAcademic partner contributing research and design expertise to the Infrastructure Alliance.
- Greenlining Institutekey partnerPartner providing economic equity and racial justice expertise to the Alliance.
- Emerald Cities Collaborativekey partnerPartner in the State Implementation Accelerator and Justice40 implementation efforts.
- NASEO (National Association of State Energy Officials)core partnerPartner in the Just and Clean Energy Future State Implementation Accelerator, helping states leverage federal investments.
- AASHTO (American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials)core partnerPartner in the State Implementation Accelerator supporting transportation infrastructure implementation.
- Lawyers for Good Governmentsupporting partnerPartner providing legal support for communities navigating federal infrastructure funding.
- NACTO (National Association of City Transportation Officials)alliance memberInfrastructure Alliance member focused on urban transportation equity.
- Rails-to-Trails Conservancyalliance memberInfrastructure Alliance member supporting active transportation infrastructure.
- LISC (Local Initiatives Support Corporation)alliance memberInfrastructure Alliance member providing community development expertise.
- C40 Cities Climate Leadership Groupalliance memberInfrastructure Alliance member focused on climate action in major cities.
- Smart Growth Americaalliance memberInfrastructure Alliance member promoting smart growth and equitable development.
- Urban Institutealliance memberInfrastructure Alliance member providing research and policy expertise.
- Amalgamated FoundationcoreCommunities First Fund is housed at the Amalgamated Foundation, which serves as its fiscal sponsor and institutional home.
- Transportation for Americaalliance memberInfrastructure Alliance member focused on federal transportation policy.
- ITDP (Institute for Transportation and Development Policy)alliance memberInfrastructure Alliance member promoting sustainable transportation globally.
- Prosperity Nowalliance memberInfrastructure Alliance member focused on economic opportunity and financial stability.
- CLASPalliance memberInfrastructure Alliance member focused on climate and energy policy.
- Climate Mayorsalliance memberInfrastructure Alliance member connecting mayors committed to climate action.
- National Complete Streets Coalitionalliance memberInfrastructure Alliance member promoting equitable transportation planning.
- US Water Alliancealliance memberInfrastructure Alliance member advancing sustainable water infrastructure.
- Elevatealliance memberInfrastructure Alliance member focused on equitable development and community engagement.
- Bike Leaguealliance memberInfrastructure Alliance member promoting cycling and walking infrastructure.
- Forth Mobilityalliance memberInfrastructure Alliance member focused on electric mobility and emerging transportation technology.
- RMI (Rocky Mountain Institute)alliance memberInfrastructure Alliance member contributing clean energy expertise.
- ULI (Urban Land Institute)alliance memberInfrastructure Alliance member providing land use and development expertise.
- CNT (Center for Neighborhood Technology)alliance memberInfrastructure Alliance member focused on sustainable community development.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
communities first fund competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
communities first fund social profiles
Digital presencecommunities first fund financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
communities first fund leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
communities first fund funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
communities first fund M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about communities first fund
What does communities first fund do?
Communities First Fund is a nonprofit philanthropic intermediary that connects Black, Indigenous, People of Color, and low-wealth frontline communities with federal infrastructure funding (IIJA, IRA, ARPA, Justice40). It operates the Technical Assistance Resource Bank, the Just and Clean Energy Future—State Implementation Accelerator, the Transformative Justice Infrastructure Fellowship, and the Communities First Infrastructure Alliance (100+ member network), and distributes grants and convenes partners to advance community-led, racially just infrastructure investment.
Is communities first fund a public or private company?
communities first fund is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was communities first fund founded?
communities first fund was founded in -1. It employs 1 to 10 people.
How does communities first fund make money?
One revenue line is on record: grantmaking and philanthropic funding.
Does communities first fund have an API?
No public API is recorded for communities first fund.
What industry is communities first fund in?
communities first fund's product category is Community Development and Social Equity Advocacy. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAKAN, Social Justice & Human Rights Grantmaking Foundations, with a secondary code of BPAGAKAE, Public Charities & Grantmaking Intermediaries. Its NAICS code is 81321 and its SIC code is 8300.