Revitalizing Communities. Expanding Opportunity.
Building Wealth.
Creating pathways to wealth through education, training, and community-centered real estate.
We’re not just a nonprofit; we’re an economic development engine for disinvested communities.
The Verite Foundation exists to break cycles of economic exclusion by expanding access to opportunity. We believe every community contains the talent, creativity, and potential to build thriving local economies, but systemic barriers -- such as lack of access to business education, real estate, capital, and technical assistance—prevent far too many people from turning potential into sustainable economic outcomes. Our purpose is to revitalize communities by creating pathways to wealth and long-term economic stability through building and deploying replicable, revenue sustained program models.
Our Purpose
Built to Replicate
- We do not create one-off solutions. Every program and project is designed with replicability in mind and can be adapted across communities.
- Built on established approaches pioneered by the Neighborhood Development Center, Verite Foundations models integrate education, real estate development, and community-centered infrastructure into cohesive, revenue-sustaining systems.
- Verite Foundation’s models are replicable, revenue-sustaining program models designed to operate perpetually, reducing heavy dependence on ongoing grants.
Access That Builds Prosperity
Mission
The Verite Foundation creates and deploys programs that lift underserved and underrepresented people to economic stability and prosperity through strategic, community based economic development, and access to the knowledge, tools and support needed to pursue wealth-building opportunities. The foundation’s work focuses on entrepreneurship, job creation and home ownership.
Vision
We seek to create a world where everyone has equal access to opportunities to create wealth. We envision communities where opportunity is accessible, where wealth creation is possible, and where prosperity is within reach – for all. Our work is grounded in principles of equity, inclusion, and community-centered investment, consistent with the aspirations of our founders, Donald C. Jones and Kathleen E. Carter.
Business Elevator Program Model
The Business Elevator model is an integrated system that combine an Accelerator, an Incubator, and a community-centered Third Spaces (called City Markets) to expand access to opportunity for entrepreneurs. Designed to be replicable and revenue-sustaining, Business Elevators strengthen local economies and support community based neighborhood revitalization.
An Accelerator
Grounded in a proven four-pillar model, the Restaurant & Food Business Training Program prepares underserved and underrepresented food entrepreneurs with the knowledge, tools, and networks needed to launch and grow sustainable businesses.
An Incubator
Restaurant incubation spaces within the City Markets provide qualifying entrepreneurs with access to affordable, real-world environments to launch and grow their businesses within a supportive community environment.
A Community 3rd Space
A community-centered commercial hub called a City Market reimagines underused commercial property as the community-centered third space that anchors the Business Elevator model through place-based entrepreneurship and revitalization.
What Makes Us Different
We are willing to invest big for outsized returns. We operate with the financial discipline, long-term thinking, and accountability of an investor to create sustainable impact for the Foundation and the communities we invest in.
Watch Dan Pallotta on changing how we think about charity.
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We’re not just a nonprofit; we’re an economic development engine for disinvested communities.
