Benefit to investors, donors and the private sector

Summary: By helping to create healthier and stronger communities, donors benefit by improving their relationship with the local people and by increasing the value of their properties. Contributions also set a positive example of future responsible investment in Nicaragua and generate positive publicity. Finally, through our innovative funding mechanism, relatively small contributions will attain significant results. Read on for a more detailed explanation.   

As the majority of the funding for Community REfund comes from the real estate, development and tourism sectors, its main efforts are focused on activities that positively affect these industries while also benefiting the recipients of the funds.

Through the top-down approach of building community assets in Community Bridge and the bottom-up approach of building individual assets in Savings Start, Community REfund aims to create a more stable economic base and a healthier community which, indirectly yet positively, impacts the original investment.

By bringing together Nicaraguan and foreign community members in publicity events, planning sessions and workshops, Community REfund increases intra-community dialogue and understanding, while creating a more complete cultural and community experience for the donor

Nicaragua has experiences incredible investment growth, but community development has not occurred as fast.
Community REfund is national in scope and will attract the attention of the entire business community of Nicaragua. It will generate positive publicity for its affiliates thereby attracting more attention to other projects they may be involved in and giving them greater exposure as socially conscious investors. In addition, Community REfund highlights the positive effects that development and tourism can have in Nicaragua and thus generates more pro-investment policies from both national and local level governments.

Because Community REfund is connected with the community on a grassroots level, it can deploy funding with fewer bureaucratic delays, allowing the donors to see the fruits of their effort more rapidly.
One of the most important benefits to all stakeholders of this initiative is the matching aspect of the donation. Each individual donor can expect to generate a multiple leveraging effect with his or her contribution.

Considering an example of a $100,000 investment in real estate with a $10,000 commission where the buyer chooses to contribute 1% of the purchase value ($1,000) to Community REfund. This 1% percent donation is matched by the developer ($1,000), the realtor ($100), the lawyer ($10) and the municipal government ($10). The total donation is therefore $2,120 before any matching contributions from local non-profits and international donors are included.

For context, this amount of money is enough to provide school supplies and uniforms for a whole school, or to build a community well.