Ujima Fund's Summer 2026 Investor Report

Boston Ujima Project, Inc. is pleased to present our Summer 2026 Investor Update.

As of Spring 2026, the Ujima Fund has officially surpassed fifty percent deployment, marking another major milestone in our commitment to building a democratic, community-controlled economy. The Fund has now deployed more than $2.5 million in community capital. This milestone positions us to continue proving that communities can govern and direct capital toward shared prosperity.

Over the past year, the Fund has advanced several important priorities: deepening our support for existing portfolio businesses, strengthening our investment processes, refining our underwriting and member engagement practices, and expanding the ways we provide technical assistance alongside capital. We have continued to develop expertise in restaurants, community institutions that our participatory process has unearthed as valuable in neighborhoods across the city of Boston.  

In this edition, we feature a conversation with Jazz Urbane Cafe founder and CEO Bill Banfield and Charles Hunter, respectively, and Ujima Restaurant Fellow Biplaw Rai; welcome our newest UGBA member, Boston Community Solar Cooperative; and share news from our portfolio companies and UGBA members.

We introduce a new section, Co-Invest, sharing opportunities for you to explore co-investment alongside us, such as SparkFM's campaign to acquire their building, expanding community ownership in Boston.

Read our latest report online now.