Last Wednesday, the Urban Land Conservancy joined forces with the Calvert Foundation to celebrate two years of Ours To Own in metro Denver. The Ours To Own Initiative was made possible by the incredible team of community partners and investors who drove its success. With support from partners and investors including the Colorado Health Foundation, The Colorado Trust, The Denver Foundation, Gary Community Investments, the Piton Foundation, the Colorado Enterprise Fund and the Community Reinvestment Fund, Ours To Own has made a massive impact on Denver’s local economy, with over $5 million raised from community investors.

The concept is simple: by making small impact investments, Ours To Own connects people with local development projects and small businesses within their community, helping to create a more stable and equitable region. As an initiative created by the Calvert Foundation, the idea that anyone can make an investment for a minimum of $20, and earn annual returns, creates an inclusive space for community members to actively participate in the positive change they hope to see in their city.

The Urban Land Conservancy has full expended the $10 million Facility Fund create through the Ours To Own initiative, making three real estate investments. Since December of 2014, ULC acquired the Mountain View Nonprofit Tower, Race Street TOD (Transit Oriented Development) and the Social Enterprise Foundry. Each property provides affordable work space for nonprofits in the metro area, with future plans for a mixed-use development at Race Street TOD.

The anniversary party was held at the Social Enterprise Foundry, a 45,000 square foot warehouse space acquired by ULC which currently houses four environmentally focused nonprofits. The economic impact created by ULC’s investment in the Foundry preserved and created a total of over 150 jobs. The warehouse was an excellent space to showcase the direct investment efforts made by community members to ensure that small businesses and nonprofits alike can find affordable rental space in the Denver region. This rings especially true in a city where commercial rental properties are growing more expensive by the day. By the two-year mark, Ours To Own had financially supported over 420 businesses and nonprofit organizations in metro Denver.

The idea behind Ours To Own has been alive for over 20 years, and investments made through this initiative have made a greater economic impact than originally anticipated. In just two years, Ours To Own has helped create and retain over 5,500 jobs, catalyzed $77 million through local investment. Small and large investments alike are making a huge impact in our region and investing could not be easier. As a major partner, utilizing Ours To Own resources here in Denver, ULC is proud to see the step that hundreds of local investors are taking towards a better and more equitable city. We look forward to furthering the Ours To Own mission, growing the investor base, supporting even more residents, nonprofits and small businesses and watching metro Denver thrive.