Spotlight Blog

A property owner stands in the stairwell with a father and his children, residents of his Lewiston rental property purchased with a Genesis Fund fee-based loan created for Muslim borrowers who are prohibited from paying interest.

Genesis Offers Muslim Borrowers a Path to Ownership by Filling a Gap in the Lending Market

For aspiring business owners like Yassin Moussa of Lewiston, Maine, acquiring a loan is often a critical step in embarking on a new enterprise. But for Yassin and others who practice the Islamic faith, the process can be complicated. Many Muslim borrowers are prohibited by their faith practice from paying interest to borrow funds. Most traditional lenders have been unable

Mark Swann, Executive Director of Preble Street in Portland, Maine.

Mark Swann, Executive Director of Preble Street

PHOTO Mark Swann, Preble Street executive director. At one time, Preble Street was a Genesis Fund borrower. Now, it’s an investor.Portland, Maine Mark Swann, Executive Director of Preble Street Twenty years ago, Preble Street was preparing to build a new center for homeless youth and Maine’s first Homeless Health Clinic. The Genesis Fund supported us with a bridge loan to

A man and his wife stand in front of their rural rental property in Aroostook County, Maine, which Genesis is helping transfer to new owners who will keep the units affordable for renters.

Preserving Rural Rental Housing Financed by the USDA

For residents who want to “age in place” in their home communities, for members of the workforce, including parents heading single-income houses and workers with disabilities—basically, for everyone who needs affordable rural rental housing like Lester Hersey’s in Aroostook County, Maine (above), it is as important to preserve existing units as it is to build more of them. That’s why

Two men move a piece of furniture into the Somali Bantu Community Association's new office, purchased with financing from Genesis.

Ownership Helps Association Expand Service

The need was clear for the Somali Bantu Community Association in Lewiston, Maine: it had to replace cramped, leased office space in order to hire additional staff, expand community services, and otherwise grow. Founded in 2005, the association reaches more than 2,000 clients annually with translation and interpretation assistance, and guidance on navigating the healthcare system, IRS filing, immigration paperwork,

Heather Burt, General Manager of Rising Tide Co-op

PHOTO Heather Burt, Rising Tide Co-Op general manager.Damariscotta, Maine Heather Burt, General Manager of Rising Tide Co-op Rising Tide Co-op received financing from the Genesis Fund to purchase and renovate our current building in Damariscotta. That investment in our organization has rippled out into our community many times over in the years since. We are now a local food hub

Philip Walsh, Executive Director of Maine Initiatives.

Philip Walsh, Executive Director of Maine Initiatives

ABOVE Philip Walsh, Executive Director of Maine Initiatives.Portland, Maine Philip Walsh, Executive Director of Maine Initiatives We are honored to be able to invest in and support the work of the Genesis Fund. At Maine Initiatives, our work is rooted in the belief that our community has the resources it needs to create greater justice, equity and opportunity for all