June 20, 2025 |
When a key property next to the Nomar Theater hit the market in 2022, Empower — a local nonprofit focused on educational, workforce and small business development for Wichita’s Hispanic community — saw an opportunity to advance their vision for Wichita’s North End. To act quickly, they needed fast, flexible capital.
Within 48 hours, the Wichita Foundation (WF) deployed its first-ever impact investment loan through the ImpactICT Fund, providing the funds needed for Empower to secure the building and set their vision in motion.
“Financially, the impact loan gave us the flexibility to move at the speed of opportunity,” said Ariel Rodriguez, executive director of Empower. “And it demonstrated the foundation’s trust in our work and belief in the transformative potential of our vision.”
That speed was critical, as other buyers had begun circling North End properties.
“We knew we had a narrow window to act, and that this property had the potential to shape the future of the neighborhood,” said Courtney Bengtson, chief strategy officer at the Wichita Foundation. “It was about making sure the community’s vision stayed at the center.”
The once vacant property is now the Empower Camarena Adelante Center—a commercial kitchen, business hub and Empower’s home base. The center celebrated its grand opening in April.
But WF’s involvement began well before the loan, funding early community engagement efforts like Vamos Nomar and helping Empower build momentum by connecting them with additional partners and WF donor advised fund holders.
“The Foundation didn’t just fund the work; they walked alongside us,” said Rodriguez. “With their experience from other community initiatives across Wichita, they offered valuable insight, ideas, and guidance that helped us deepen our approach.”
This spring, Empower repaid the loan ahead of schedule, proof that impact investing can spark momentum where traditional capital often doesn’t reach.
“We see this impact investment as a replicable model for accelerating progress,” said Bengtson.
Today, the building is more than a kitchen. It’s a community hub where small businesses host pop-ups, and grow their operations, all while bringing new energy to the North End.
“We’ve seen several food businesses form and expand through the space,” said Rodriguez. “These activities have not only helped generate income for local entrepreneurs but also brought new visibility to the North End, reinforcing it as a place where small businesses can thrive.”
