Creative School Construction Financing Program Advisory
BJH worked as an advisor to Civic Builders in the early conceptual design of a new program, the Building Equity Initiative, an innovative approach to financing charter school construction. Traditionally, charter schools have had difficulty accessing standard financial products and capital due to a lack of expertise (school management focused on quality education, not financial markets and construction) or equity (funding based on per pupil allocations and donations, not capital needs). This program supports a loan pool of standardized transactions, allowing for faster execution, lower borrowing costs, and greater access to capital for both established and emerging schools.
BJH provided strategy and analysis around the structure of the program, both financially and operationally. The team reviewed current financial market conditions for short and long term products, identifying the largest gaps in the market, and participated in interviews with potential lenders and borrowers, summarizing findings for funder presentations. BJH also vetted issues related to program operations, advising on board structure, compliance and risk management tools.
