For Investors

Invest In Your Values.  Invest Locally.

The PVGrows Investment Fund offers an investment opportunity for individuals, institutions and foundations to invest in building a healthier food system in the Pioneer Valley of Massachusetts. Take a look at the new PVGIF Offering Memorandum.

“Supporting agriculture in this Valley feels like contributing to a sense of vitality. And there are multiple layers of assurance that your money will actually have an impact and be of service.” Jennifer Ladd, PVGIF Investor

The PVGrows Investment Fund (PVGIF) is a program of the Franklin County Community Development Corporation (FCCDC) which has been providing small business financing and technical assistance for over forty years. This new iteration of PVGIF offers one investment vehicle in which all individuals, institutions and foundations can invest.  Your investment will provide financing to farm and food businesses located primarily in western Massachusetts.  Together, we will all work to strengthen and grow the local food economy – more vibrant farm and food businesses, more local jobs, and more access to healthy food in the Pioneer Valley.

Here’s How It Works:

The PVGrows Investment Fund’s new Social Impact Notes offer a tangible way to invest in our local food system. These investments from our community are pooled together to provide the financing that farm and food entrepreneurs need to grow their business.

• The Social Impact Pool – The minimum investment is $500, the maximum investment is $250,000, open to all. Social Impact Notes are for a 3-year term which automatically renews unless you request differently, with an interest rate of 0-2% per year of your choosing. The Social Impact Pool is open and will be capped at $5,000,000.

Farm and food entrepreneurs apply for financing and are reviewed by the PVGrows Investment Fund Advisory Committee. The committee ensures that loan applicants are a good mission fit, identifies technical assistance needs and provides those services to farm and food entrepreneurs, as needed.  Financing may be provided by other PVGIF lending partners as well.

Once a business is ready to be reviewed for financing, the Franklin County Community Development Corporation conducts due diligence and underwriting, then provides financing as appropriate.

Investors share in the risks and returns, and benefit from a stronger, more vibrant local food system.

This offering is open to residents of Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island and New Jersey.

Ready to invest? Here is easy access to the new Social Impact Pool Investment Agreement fillable form — just fill it in, print it out, and mail it to us with your check.

Have questions? Want to receive the new PVGIF Offering Memorandum by mail? Get in touch: