NCF is proud to invest $250,000 into Windmill Microlending Program, an initiative supporting internationally-educated immigrants and refugees looking to restart their careers in Canada.

Niagara Community Foundation (NCF) is proud to announce a $250K investment into Windmill Microlending, supporting internationally-educated immigrants and refugees looking to restart their careers in Canada. This announcement is in alignment with NCF’s social impact investment priorities, focusing on building social capital, alongside asset growth here in Niagara.

“We are excited to partner with Windmill Microlending through this investment,” says Bryan Rose, executive director with NCF. “Following the lead of our community foundation counterparts in Hamilton, Toronto, Kitchener-Waterloo, Ottawa and Oakville in making this investment, we look forward to seeing Windmill expanding its reach here in Niagara. “

Windmill Microlending is a national organization with offices across Canada. With a loan of up to $15,000, loan recipients can pursue the steps to Canadian accreditation, including English-language training, credential assessments, examinations, professional and membership fees and preparatory courses. Niagara continues to see an influx of new immigrants and refugees looking to restart their lives in Canada. Windmill is currently supporting 18 clients in Niagara and have the goal of growing this number substantially over the next year.

“Making this investment is an intentional decision of our Board of Directors,” says Damian Goulbourne, NCF’s Board Chair. “As we mature as a community foundation, we have the opportunity to demonstrate to Niagara that social capital is equally as valuable as asset growth. We know that our donors and fundholders invest with us because they want to have a tangible impact in Niagara; they want their assets to touch the lives of those in their community. Social impact investing is an additional tool to help NCF turn intention into impact.”

“At Windmill Microlending, we’re passionate about helping skilled immigrants and refugees secure roles aligned with their education and experience. We are so grateful to the Niagara Community Foundation for supporting our mission. Their investment will ensure that our loans reach more skilled newcomers in Niagara and empower them to resume their professions to achieve career success in Canada,” says Claudia Hepburn, CEO, Windmill Microlending

For more information about Windmill Microlending visit www.windmillmicrolending.org.

ABOUT WINDMILL MICROLENDINGWindmill Microlending is a national charity that supports the advancement of skilled immigrants and refugees, offering affordable loans of up to $15,000 to help new Canadians restart their careers. We aim to ensure skilled newcomers are equitably integrated into the workforce while contributing their expertise to Canada’s economic and social success. We are the country’s only national charity providing financial support to new Canadians to achieve accreditation, training, and professional development goals. Funded by both the public and private sectors, Windmill converts newcomer potential to prosperity.

ABOUT NIAGARA COMMUNITY FOUNDATIONEstablished in 2000, Niagara Community Foundation has raised over $76 million and has granted in excess of $20 million to charities working in the arts, heritage, environment, social services, health, education and community development sectors. NCF connects donor to communities and charities to resources, turning intention into impact.