Jane Baker, a multi-media artist, was a steady attendee in the mid-1980s at monthly NCCLF planning meetings.  Together, an innovative group of dreamers organized a coalition of potential investors and borrowers, community advocates, and people with the financial and technical skills needed to create NCCLF.  It was a highly participatory and democratic process which helped to develop the principles and policies that govern NCCLF to this day. 

We are here 23 years later because of the power of an idea, the idea that local capital can and should be used to meet local needs; that people of good will from all walks of life can come together to create a strong, effective financial institution that works to foster social and economic justice; that we can indeed work together to build community, and bring new hope to people’s lives.  

 Jane lives her ongoing commitment to promote social change and justice by monetarily supporting organizations she believes in through Art ExChange, which she formed.  Art ExChange works like this:  if there is an item of Jane’s you would like for your own – a painting or a drawing, say – she asks that you make a donation of $300 to NCCLF.  If it is a piece of her concrete work you are interested in, the donation would be $50.  To purchase a Jane-designed table the donation would vary; this transaction would be discussed directly with her.

Images of Jane’s art can be found on her website, http://www.janebakerart.com/, along with more information about Art ExChange.  There is also a list of organizations with whom Jane has previously worked.  NCCLF is extremely pleased to be a part of this list, and to be partnering with Jane on this endeavor.