Happy New Year!

We hope your year ahead is filled with good health and much happiness. Here at Banyan, the new year arrived with a renewed commitment to our mission and vision to transform lives in the Phillips neighborhood as we gear up to celebrate 25 years! New staff and board members are bringing fresh insight and energy to our efforts. We are especially pleased to welcome Andreia Janet Berg to our community as our new Director of Development and Marketing! More information about Janet and meet & greet opportunities will be published next week in the Banyan Blog.  
 
We are so excited to celebrate our 25th anniversary at a special spring dinner. We are looking forward to seeing you April 23! Banyan has always been rooted in lasting, trust-based relationships. Our 25th Anniversary Dinner is an opportunity to for us to recognize our community-centered accomplishments and celebrate the life-changing outcomes made possible by our shared promise to the education and empowerment of our youth and families. We look forward to seeing you there!
 
The following quote by the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is a succinct reminder of the collective efficacy of our work and our commitment to the common good: “We may have all come on different ships, but we’re in the same boat now.” Banyan is exceptional in creating an inclusive space where families and neighbors, donors and partners, from diverse racial, cultural, religious, and economic backgrounds can come together. Our asset-based development model and holistic mission is what unites us, and the joy and learning of our youth are what make all of our work worthwhile.  
 

Still rooted, rising and reaching!
Carl Schlueter, Executive Director
& Bayan Community staff

Let’s Celebrate!
New Market Tax Credit Unwinds

Back in 2015 Banyan Community secured a $1.5M New Market Tax Credit (NMTC) in conjunction with the building of our permanent home. The highly competitive NMTC Program incentivizes community development and economic growth through the use of tax credits that attract private investment to distressed communities. Historically, low-income communities experience a lack of investment, as evidenced by vacant commercial properties, outdated manufacturing facilities, and inadequate access to education and healthcare service providers. The NMTC Program aims to break this cycle of disinvestment by attracting the private investment necessary to reinvigorate struggling local economies.

The NMTC investment made our home possible. Now, seven years later, through the collaborative efforts and collective efficacy of many, the structured finance deal has successfully been completed! The closing paperwork was processed and the funds were authorized for release by all parties in connection with the Banyan Community Center New Market Tax Credit unwind, culminating in successful completion on Tuesday, November 1, 2022. The NMTC equity was then converted and the cash balance transferred to The Banyan Foundation.

We are so incredibly grateful for the NMTC Program and all of the individuals and partners who made it possible for Banyan to build and own and make available a community anchor to the Phillips neighborhood.

Review Completed

Great news! Banyan Community completed the thorough Charities Review Council process and has been confirmed for the next 3 years! Read more about the process.

Banyan Board

With the new year the Board welcomed some new faces. In 2022 Banyan Community welcomed Margaret Murphy, Hanan Osman, Erica Messmer, and BJ Coleman. Special thank you to the four board members that have completed their service: Kyle Didier, Susan Haffield, Jeffery Wertz, and Carol Frey Wolfe. Banyan Leadership Information