DBL Approach
DBL Approach
The Bay Area Equity Fund assists its portfolio companies in implementing a "double bottom line" strategy: that is, pursuing strong long-term financial success as well as positive social and environmental improvement in their local communities. The Fund invests in companies that have operations in or within five miles of one of the many low and moderate income areas of the ten-county San Francisco Bay Area: map. The Fund utilizes its partners and resources to help its portfolio companies develop double bottom line practices that are uniquely appropriate and effective for their business. These partners include the Bay Area Council and the Alliance for Community Development, who are co-sponsors of the Fund, among others.
The Fund helps each of its portfolio companies create its own double bottom line approach and assists them in implementing the following examples of double bottom line practices, many of which these companies may be already pursuing:
- Local hiring, particularly qualified residents of low and moderate income communities
- Employee development, training for advancement, and continuing education
- Employee education on topics including healthcare, childcare, profit sharing,
home ownership, financial literacy and personal finance management - Hosting educational sessions for the community on topics including healthcare,
childcare, profit sharing, home ownership, financial literacy and personal finance
management - Contracting with qualified local, women, and minority suppliers and contractors,
in areas such as line-of business and/or building and property maintenance services - Pollution and waste reduction: encouraging carpooling and public transit, waste minimization, and recycling
- Energy conservation and resource efficiency: "green" building design, construction and operation
- Positive relations with the local community, including facilitating employee volunteering and charitable contribution, and working with local organizations and non-profits
- Assisting local schools by participating in career days, tutoring, mentoring and internship programs
- Maintaining positive relations with local, regional, state, and federal agencies in relation to regulatory compliance, permitting, and accessing resources
- Encouraging employees to patronize businesses in the local community
- Other programs specific to the company’s line of business and collective interest