Expanding Access to Quality Childcare for African Immigrant Families

In a groundbreaking move to expand early childhood education access for African immigrant families, the Center for African Immigrants and Refugee Organization (CAIRO) is establishing a new preschool facility in Multnomah County. CAIRO will transform a commercial property into a vibrant educational center featuring two new preschool classrooms with support from Craft3 financing through BuildUp Oregon, a coalition of Community Development Financial Institutions working to expand childcare facilities throughout Oregon.

The $2.97 million construction-to-permanent loan from Craft3, combined with $1.35 million in local funding, including support from Meyer Memorial Trust, Social Venture Partners, and BuildUp Oregon, will enable CAIRO to purchase and renovate a building. This expansion will create 40 new childcare slots, with potential for future growth as existing tenant leases expire.

The project exemplifies Craft3's commitment to addressing systemic racism and expanding quality early childhood education. As a participating lender in the BuildUp Oregon program, Craft3 structured the financing to accommodate CAIRO's unique needs. Traditional banks would have struggled with this projections-based deal, which required specialized understanding of the nonprofit sector, flexibility around personal guarantees, and a willingness to work with CAIRO who were new to real estate acquisition and construction projects.

"Working with Craft3 and BuildUp Oregon has significantly enhanced CAIRO's capacity to serve the African immigrant and refugee community," says Abdisalan Muse, CAIRO's Deputy Executive Director. "This collaboration has enabled us to further our mission of empowering families by providing safe, culturally responsive spaces for learning and growth."

Beyond the immediate impact of creating new childcare slots, the project will generate jobs in a high-poverty area while fostering local ownership and providing crucial educational resources for low-income households. CAIRO's vision extends beyond basic childcare—they aim to address early learning disparities affecting BIPOC and low-income families, with plans to add three more classrooms in the coming years.

"Research indicates that children who attend preschool perform better academically and in life," Abdi Muse notes. "Our long-term goal is to reduce and eliminate the need for remedial programs by investing in early learning foundations."

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