Identifying Craft3’s next CEO represents an incredible opportunity for our organization and the people we serve to build a thriving, just and empowered Pacific Northwest.

Craft3 advances search for its next CEO | Craft3

Craft3 will close over the upcoming holidays for a companywide week of rest to prioritize employee needs and work-life balance so that we have the focus, energy, and creativity to pursue our mission.

Craft3 will be closed from December 24th through January 1st | Craft3

While Craft3 has focused on serving the increasing needs of disadvantaged communities across the Pacific Northwest, as we have grown we’re reminded just how important it is to better serve the closest to home: our staff.

Serving Our People, Serving Our Communities, Part. 1 | Craft3

Craft3, a nonprofit community lender in the Pacific Northwest, has been gifted $15 million from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott. In a statement, Bruce Brooks, Craft3's president and interim CEO, described the gift from Scott's Yield Giving as an “affirmation of Craft3’s mission to build a thriving, just and empowered Pacific Northwest.”

Philanthropist gives $15 million to Craft3

Billionaire philanthropist MacKenzie Scott has given $15 million to community development lender Craft3. Craft3, which is headquartered in Seattle but has offices and a large portfolio in Oregon, announced the gift Wednesday.

MacKenzie Scott gives $15M to PNW community lender | Craft3

Philanthropist MacKenzie Scott has given Craft3 $15 million, the Northwest nonprofit announced Wednesday, the largest unrestricted gift it’s ever received, and one that will fund small business loans and entrepreneurship training.

MacKenzie Scott gives $15 million to Northwest business nonprofit | Craft3

In 2023, Craft3 launched our new 5-year Strategic Plan, “Capital, Relationships, and Voice: Investing in Communities and Change.” With that plan in place, we revisited and finalized a Theory of Change to guide us as we work towards fostering a Pacific Northwest that is thriving, just, and empowered.

Theory of Change to Guide Our Investments and Measure Our Progress | Craft3

We're proud to partner on Shortstack Milwaukie, a collection of 15 two-bedroom cottages offering affordable homeownership through Proud Ground’s community land trust model. “Shortstack” reflects both the compact nature of the homes and the complex “stack” of funding sources.

Big goals established for Shortstack projects | Craft3

We are committed to using capital, relationships, and voice to target our investments and create meaningful outcomes for people and communities across Oregon and Washington. Learn how Craft3's loans, targeted investments, and partnerships supported our new five-year strategic plan. Read our 2023 Annual Report.

To successfully expand access to capital, simply offering loans and adjusting underwriting criteria is not enough. Many entrepreneurs, especially entrepreneurs of color, face substantial barriers in applying for loans. The language and concepts of finance can be mystifying and inaccessible. Trauma, including previous bad experiences with financial institutions, can compound the situation. And then there is the more universal challenge that small business owners face in making time to not only run the day-to-day of their business, but also to plan, strategize, and grow their business.

Empowering Customers through Coaching and Business Services

Wastewater treatment is an essential part of life, even if its usually in the background. However, when there’s a sewage issue, it is difficult to ignore. For years, the Maple Grove community on Camano Island has had to focus on their sewage. Through community collaboration and support from Ecology’s onsite sewage regional loan program, these neighbors are on their way to cleaner, safer water and better wastewater management.

Camano Island community takes the lead on septic solutions | Craft3

Brad Hunter, Senior Business Lender, leads Craft3’s conservation and climate lending. With deep experience in natural resource management and land conservation, as well as familiarity with energy financing, Brad is well equipped to do this important work. He’s also skilled at explaining the complex landscape of financing, incentives, and on-the-ground projects.

Investing in Climate and Conservation Financing | Craft3

Craft3 is committed to helping land trusts, Tribes, and other conservation organizations succeed by providing flexible capital, expert advice, and a nimble team. As the pace and scale of land conservation continues to grow in the Pacific Northwest, Craft3 is there to support critical property acquisitions ahead of long-term funding.

Conservation Bridge Fund | Craft3

Craft3’s new strategic plan focuses on relevant and concerning challenges facing our region – systemic racism, the climate crisis, and the lack of investment in and integration of rural and Tribal economies.

Putting Our New Strategic Plan in Context for Our Investors, Grantors, and Partners | Craft3

Build Up Oregon initially aims to create or preserve 600 ECE slots by supporting co-location with affordable housing developments. Increased ECE slots will help low-income families access early education, provide economic development opportunities, and strengthen communities.

Our 2022 Annual Report considers last year’s work through the lens of the three regional challenges — Systemic Racism, Climate Crisis, and Rural and Tribal Economies — around which we have organized our strategic plan.

2022 Annual Report | Craft3

We are excited to share our new strategic plan — Capital, Relationships, and Voice: Investing in Communities and Change. This plan will guide our investments and operations as we work towards systems change and a stronger Pacific Northwest.

Seizing an unexpected opportunity, Craft3 and other CDFIs in the Pacific Northwest came together to advocate for and obtain dedicated funding from Washington state.

Washington Community Investment Coalition

To change outcomes, you need to change the system. Prosper Portland and Craft3 work to deliver more equitable and inclusive approaches to community development finance.

Prosper Portland

When septic systems fail, they are costly to repair or replace and, if unaddressed, they can make homes unlivable, impact public health and contaminate drinking water.

Clean Water Loans Deliver Housing Stability and Water Quality