Opportunity Zones: Can Foundations Help Communities Get Ready?

About

With the passage of last year’s tax code overhaul, Congress created Opportunity Zones—areas in low income census tracks designated by governors, where private equity investors can invest capital gains in new development ventures in exchange for tax forgiveness after 10 years. However, until the federal regulations are known, there is only speculation whether Opportunity Zones will catalyze needed community infrastructure and economic development opportunities for the people who are residents and small business owners who live in these Zones.

To help illustrate who might actually benefit, the Council will host a webinar to explore what roles foundations can play in this unprecedented, market-driven investment opportunity. Special guests from the National Governors Association and the Brookings Institution will join the Council’s congressional tax expert to kick off the discussion on how foundations might be players on both the investment aspect of the Opportunity Zones and on the social impact side. A panel of regional philanthropy and Community Development Financial Institutions guests will share how they are thinking about this unique tax provision and what they are doing to get ready for alignment of philanthropic interests and education of their high capacity donors to co-invest with private equity investors.

Speakers
Scott Pattison, Executive Director and CEO, National Governor’s Association
Aaron Klein, Fellow and Policy Director Center on Regulation and Markets, Brookings Institution
Don Snyder, Tax Associate, Federal Policy Group
Kimberlee Cornett, Managing Director of Social Investment Practice, The Kresge Foundation

Moderator
Stephanie Powers, Vice Preseident, Policy & Partnerships, Council on Foundaitons