Foundation helps retail investors pump money into Gulf Coast.

As the first anniversary of Hurricane Katrina nears, the Calvert Foundation reported that it has directed a total of $1.6 million in affordable loan capital to five groups that are working in the Gulf Coast Region to provide affordable housing, redevelopment assistance and other emergency aid in the wake of the devastation of the 2005 hurricane season.

The $1.6 million in loans are based, in part, on investment funds raised since 2005 through the "Gulf Coast Recovery Initiative", a targeted Community Investment Note program set up by Calvert Foundation.

The popular program has attracted investments from retail investors ranging from $1,000 to $100,000.

Calvert Foundation Community Investment Notes gives investors the opportunity to earn a modest return while channeling affordable loan capital in support of low-income communities around the world or in targeted regions, such as the U.S. Gulf Coast.

Calvert Foundation Executive Director Shari Berenbach said: "This is a perfect illustration of how Calvert Foundation works to give individuals an opportunity to make a measurable difference and use their investment capital to rebuild hope and opportunity in struggling communities. Our targeted Gulf Coast Recovery Initiative responds to investors who want to have a direct and very real connection to efforts underway to help move beyond this major human tragedy. It is no surprise to us that this has been our most successful, focused Community Investment Note initiative to date."

For more information about the Calvert Foundation's Gulf Coast Recovery Community Investment Note program, go to www.calvertfoundation.org and click on "investment.".

Enterprise Housing provided emergency housing and support services to 1,500 Hurricane Katrina evacuees and advised the Louisiana Recovery Authority on developing a comprehensive $8 billion housing rebuilding plan. An affiliate of the Local Initiatives Support Corporation has committed a total of $50 million for first mortgage loan capital to support affordable housing development in Louisiana and Mississippi. Affordable Housing Resources worked with federal subcontractors to settle more than 2,000 evacuees in over 500 trailer homes in Baker, Louisiana.

Community Investment Note participants choose their investment amount, term and interest rate. The minimum investment is $1,000. Investors select the term between (between one to 10 years), as well as the interest rate. Choosing a lower interest rate helps to make credit even more affordable for communities in need.

Every dollar invested in a Calvert Community Investment Note is placed in a diversified loan pool with the objective of earning both a financial and a social return. The full value of the capital is invested and then reinvested several times in low-income communities--allowing individuals to "magnify" the impact of their assets in a way that would be impossible to achieve through a simple charitable donation or other direct-giving effort.

Community Investment Note proceeds fund a dynamic portfolio of loans to nearly 200 non-profit organizations in all 50 states and over 100 countries around the world.