Across America and around the world, many communities lack affordable housing, childcare, healthcare and jobs that pay a living wage.

Community investing is financing that creates resources and opportunities for economically disadvantaged people in the U.S. and overseas who are underserved by traditional financial insitutions.

You can put your money to work re-building these communities that have been left behind. From opening a checking account at a community bank to investing in a mutual fund that puts assets into communities, there's a whole range of options at Community Investing Institutions available in our resource section.

Here's how it works:

When you open an account with a Community Investing Institution, your money goes towards strengthening community development. Community Investing Institutions use your deposits and investments to provide financing to communities that are overlooked by traditional lenders, creating resources and opportunities for people who need them most. Community investing helps provide communities with:

Affordable housing & childcare Locally-owned and minority-owned businesses Jobs that pay a living wage Health care Education and mentoring for small business owners For a comprehensive resource on community investing, order our Community Investing Guide. It's easy to get involved. You can help build communities by becoming a community investor today.

To learn more about how community investing helps strengthen communities, see community investing success stories.

Co-op America and the Social Investment Forum Foundation recommend that you place at least 1% of your banking and investments into community investing.