Life-changing impacts

Pictured: Seth Gunning, CEO of Sunpath Solar, connects with Georgians at a community event about the Georgia BRIGHT program that gives low-to-moderate-income homeowners access to affordable and reliable solar power.

As the leader of Capital Good Fund, a Rhode Island-based CDFI, Andy Posner had long had Georgia on his mind.

Capital Good Fund offers a variety of consumer-facing loan products including solar power and immigration assistance. Posner knew Atlanta was home to a strong pool of sage immigration attorneys — yet his team struggled to find viable entry paths into the state.

Then he learned of the GoATL Community Capacity Fund. Posner connected with the Foundation, shared his vision and plan, and secured a loan.

“It was only because of the Foundation approving a loan that we were able to expand into the Georgia market,” Posner said. “So, to be very clear, but for that initial investment from GoATL, none of what came next would have happened.”

And A LOT has happened.

To date, Capital Good Fund has helped dozens of families by providing loans of up to $20,000 to support navigating the complex immigration process with the representation of reputable immigration attorneys and support services.

“Good legal representation is not cheap,” Posner said. “When individuals hear it’s going to be $10,000 or more to pursue the case, they either go into the shadows or take out a predatory loan, which doesn’t end well.”

Conversely, going through Capital Good Fund’s program, individuals can secure a low-income loan with flexible repayment terms. They also gain the services of experienced, verified immigration attorneys.

Often those in the program are seeking a Green Card that allows them to live and work legally and permanently in the United States.

“That can be life changing,” Posner said. “People are able to start businesses, purchase a home, go to school—and they become contributing tax-paying citizens.”

Beyond the immigration program, the relationship forged through GoATL created a remarkable ripple effect for Capital Good Fund in Georgia as they embarked on a new venture into solar energy.

Capital Good Fund applied for and received a $156 million federal grant to establish the Solar for All program in Georgia. The program helps low-to moderate-income homeowners benefit from inexpensive and reliable solar power.

So far, about 75 Georgia homes have been outfitted with cost-saving solar power and/or solar battery storage. Within four years, that number will swell to 16,000 Georgia households.

“We have an elderly couple in Savannah that got a solar and battery storage lease,” Posner said. “The husband relies on a CPAP machine. During Hurricane Helene, their power went out, and the batteries kicked on.

“They woke up in the morning, the batteries were charging, and they never lost power. They had neighbors charging their phones and cooling off with a fan. If you have solar battery, particularly in hurricane prone areas, it can be lifesaving.”