The Adrian Dominican Sisters (ADS) became OppFund’s earliest investor in 1986.
“We have had a strong partnership since the beginning,” Sister Marilene, Director of Portfolio Advisory Office at ADS, shared. The congregation sees OppFund’s focus on economic empowerment, affordable housing, and underserved communities as a natural extension of its own goals. “There’s just been a very strong alignment,” she said.
For ADS, impact investing is an extension of a mission that stretches back decades. “What has motivated us going back 50 years is a strong commitment to social and economic transformation,” said Sister Marilin. “Especially as Catholic sisters holding strong to our gospel values, Catholic social teaching, which calls us to be in solidarity with the poor, with the marginalized, with the underserved.”
“From the very beginning, our congregation had a very strong commitment responding to the signs of the times,” she said. That commitment has shaped how the congregation deploys its resources, seeking investments that align financial stewardship with meaningful community outcomes.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, as communities struggled through economic uncertainty, ADS sought ways to respond quickly and effectively. OppFund was again selected as one of only four organizations to receive a special emergency relief loan.
This was the second capital investment they made, and this time with zero interest. The capital was structured with a unique purpose: maximizing impact for those who needed support most.
When asked what gives the congregation confidence to continue investing through OppFund, Sister Marilene pointed to the organization’s history, focus, and intentionality. “The long history and solid commitment [of OppFund] to the people of Michigan,” she said. “We also saw how your intentionality toward pockets of populations, particularly women empowerment, which is one of our areas of priority. … We see that Opportunity Resource continues to spread the seed, not hoard the seed, so that the seed will flourish and become fruitful and sustainable.”
After nearly 40 years of partnership, ADS continue to see OppFund as an effective vehicle for turning values into action and investments into opportunity. “We are delighted to be your partner,” Sister Marilin shared. “And we are delighted to spread the good news of the good work that you do each day for the people of Michigan and beyond.”
