Boston Impact Initiative

This Hispanic Heritage Month, BII is celebrating the many ways our staff carry their cultures, histories, and identities with them.

For some, it’s the gift of a language passed down by a parent. For others, it’s the comfort of food packed into a suitcase by beloved tías, memories of growing up between cultures, or the resilience and warmth of a Puerto Rican upbringing.

It’s family. It’s music and art. It’s migration and starting again without ever starting from zero. It’s honoring ancestors, supporting communities, and creating opportunities for the generations to come.

BII staff shared personal reflections on what being Latino and Latina means to them—and while each story is unique, a common thread runs through them all: we carry where we come from into how we live, lead, build, and show up for our communities.

Swipe through to read their stories!

With heavy hearts, we're sharing the news that David Cobb passed away suddenly on Labor Day.

David was a force. Co-founder of the Butterfly Impact Fund and a member of our ARC Fellowship Class of 2026, he was also a leader within the People's Network for Land and Liberation (PNLL), US Solidarity Economy Network, Resist & Build Network, the Green Party of California, and many other communities working toward liberation for people and planet. A revolutionary labor and political organizer, environmental lawyer, and fierce builder of the solidarity economy, David launched Butterfly Impact Fund as capital infrastructure for PNLL. He brought his fire and generosity to every room he entered, whether a community stage, a solidarity workshop, or an ARC Fellowship session, and he changed the lives of everyone lucky enough to be in his orbit.

We're holding space to grieve, remember, and celebrate David's life and legacy at the ARC Summit this week. If you knew him, our hearts are with you. If you didn't, we hope you'll feel his spirit in the work we carry forward together.

With love and in solidarity,
BII

Growing a clean energy business means knowing where to focus your time, resources, and growth strategy.

Join BII on Friday, September 11, from 12:00–1:00 PM for a free webinar designed for small and midsize businesses operating in—or expanding into—the clean energy sector.

Featuring Heather Cooper, Partner, and John Zhang, Associate, of McDermott Will & Schulte, this business growth seminar will break down the federal and Massachusetts tax incentives available to emerging clean energy businesses, including federal credits, direct pay options, state programs, and how your business structure can affect eligibility.

No tax background is needed. You’ll leave with a clearer understanding of which incentives may fit your sector and stage—and what you can do now to position your business to benefit as you scale.

Register today: https://luma.com/59euehv1?lm_source=embed

Did you know that very few foundations in the United States invest directly in social impact businesses alongside traditional grantmaking? The Woodcock Foundation is changing that narrative.

Back in 2020, they made a bold commitment to full mission alignment, carving out 5% of their total assets (~$4.5 million) specifically for a catalytic capital portfolio—which includes an investment in BII Fund II.

For Woodcock’s Executive Director, Stacey Faella, a major turning point came during a field trip in Boston. Seeing the deep "sweat equity" of local community leaders along with BII’s financial innovation was all the proof she needed.

True systemic change requires looking beyond competitive financial returns to support lasting social and environmental progress.

Thank you, Woodcock Foundation, for standing with us as a Fund II investor!

Read more community breakthroughs in our 2025 Annual Impact Report:https://bostonimpact.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2025-Impact-Report-FINAL-5.15.26-COMPRESSED.pdf

Massachusetts is among the wealthiest states in the nation, but that prosperity is not equally distributed.

Mass ECHOS’ 2025 survey data reveals deep racial and economic disparities in wealth, with many families lacking the financial security and assets needed to build a stronger future.

In her latest piece, BII CEO Betty Francisco explores what this data asks of us and how we can move capital differently to build shared prosperity through business ownership, employee ownership, and affordable housing.

Read Betty’s thoughts on what it will take to close generational wealth gaps and move toward lasting systems change:
https://bostonimpact.org/2026/08/19/real-wealth-unevenly-held-what-mass-echos-asks-of-us/

AI is transforming the way small businesses operate—but the biggest opportunities come from solving the right problems.

Join BII on Friday, August 21, from 12:00–1:30 PM ET for a free, interactive webinar on practical AI integration for small business operations. You'll learn a simple framework for identifying where AI can create the most value in your business and leave with an AI Opportunity Assessment Worksheet you can put to use right away.

The session will be led by Boaz Petrus of NovaDynamic Technology Services and is part of BII's GreenEdge Accelerator webinar series, funded by the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC).

This webinar is free and open to all businesses and community members.
Register today here: https://luma.com/0fxt2ggm

What happens when communities have the resources to build solutions rooted in their own vision?

In East Boston, Eastie Farm is growing more than food—it is cultivating climate resilience, food security, and community power.

Their zero-emission, geothermal-powered greenhouse creates a year-round space for growing, learning, and connecting, demonstrating what is possible when innovative ideas are supported with the right resources.

Eastie Farm's relationship with BII also reflects the power of community investing. Originally a BII portfolio company, Eastie Farm achieved a successful exit and later became an investor in BII Fund II—helping provide values-aligned capital to the next generation of community-centered organizations.

Their journey—from investee to investor—illustrates how capital can circulate within communities, creating lasting impact and expanding opportunities for others.

Read more about Eastie Farm's story and other examples of community wealth-building in BII's 2025 Impact Report here:https://bostonimpact.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2025-Impact-Report-FINAL-5.15.26-COMPRESSED.pdf

Before signing your next subcontract, make sure you understand what you're agreeing to.

Join BII for Reading a Subcontract: What You Need to Know Before You Sign, a practical webinar designed for small and midsize businesses operating in or expanding into the clean energy sector, GreenEdge Accelerator participants, and the broader BII community.

Experienced renewable energy attorneys Andrew Kim and Stephen Babendreier from will walk through the subcontract provisions that matter most when working under a developer, including scope and change orders, payment and retainage, indemnification, insurance requirements, and termination rights. Participants will learn how to identify key risks, understand what may be negotiable, and recognize when it's time to seek legal review.

This business growth seminar is designed to help businesses protect themselves as they pursue larger contracts. No legal background is required.

This business growth seminar is designed to help businesses protect themselves as they pursue larger contracts. No legal background is required.

Friday, August 7
12:00–1:00 PM ET
Virtual via Zoom
Register here: https://luma.com/p2s11sen