Latest Investment by the Social Finance Impact First Fund Will Help Accelerate Regenerative Agriculture Across the U.S.

The investment in Mad Capital’s Perennial Fund II will expand access to flexible credit for farmers transitioning to organic and regenerative practices 

(Boston, MA)—Today, Social Finance, the national nonprofit and registered investment advisor, announced a $3 million investment in Mad Capital’s Perennial Fund II through the Social Finance Impact First Fund, a one-stop solution for investing in funds that prioritize social and environmental impact. Mad Capital is a public benefit corporation that provides flexible financing to farmers and ranchers across the U.S. seeking to transition to regenerative organic agriculture. 

As agriculture continues to account for over 25% of global climate emissions, conventional farming practices contribute to biodiversity loss and soil degradation. Regenerative and organic agriculture offers a powerful solution—capable of sequestering carbon, improving water quality, and enhancing biodiversity. Yet farmers face significant barriers to transition, including lack of capital, education, and market access. These challenges also affect the financial viability of farming operations, as the transition period often involves reduced yields and increased input costs before organic certification is achieved. Mad Capital’s Perennial Fund II helps farmers navigate this transition by offering operating, real estate, equipment, and infrastructure loans tailored to the needs of regenerative ranchers and organic farmers. By supporting farmers through this critical phase, Mad Capital strengthens their businesses and promotes economic mobility in rural communities. 

“This investment in Mad Capital reflects our commitment to catalyzing scalable solutions that drive environmental sustainability and economic resilience,” said Kirstin Hill, President & COO of Social Finance. “Mad Capital’s innovative approach fills a critical gap in the market—supporting farmers not only in restoring the land but also in building wealth and securing their livelihoods.” 

Mad Capital is part of the broader Mad ecosystem, which includes Mad Agriculture, a nonprofit offering land and business consulting, and Mad Markets, a crop brokerage and infrastructure platform. Together, these organizations provide farmers with the capital, knowledge, and market access needed to succeed in regenerative agriculture.  

“We are grateful to have Social Finance by our side to help catalyze the transition of thousands of acres of land in partnership with leading farmers and ranchers across the U.S.,” said Brandon Welch, Co-Founder & CEO of Mad Capital. 

The Social Finance Impact First Fund has made highly impactful investments that span housing, climate justice, rural economic mobility, early childhood education, microfinance, and regenerative agriculture, reflecting Social Finance’s mission to address many issue areas through impact-first investing. Launched in July 2023, the Impact First Fund is built to deliver flexible, risk-tolerant capital to innovative business models addressing today’s most pressing social and environmental challenges. It offers a simple, cost-effective way to invest in a professionally managed portfolio with a clear focus on impact. 

“Through the Impact First Fund, we’re helping investors align their capital with their values in a way that drives measurable change for people and the planet,” said Stephen Vicinelli, Vice President, Impact Investments at Social Finance. “This investment in Mad Capital reflects how we seek to address capital gaps in underserved sectors while supporting innovative fund managers who are building scalable solutions.” 

Mad Capital has already originated 80 loans across 18 states, supporting over 163,000 acres of farmland.  

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About Social Finance 

Social Finance (SF Advisors, LLC) is a national nonprofit and registered investment advisor. We work with the public, private, and social sectors to create partnerships and investments that measurably improve lives. Our Impact Investment team designs, launches, and manages impact-first investments. Our Advisory team partners with government and philanthropy leaders to implement data-driven programs for social impact. And through the Social Finance Institute, we aim to build the field and change systems through actionable research, communities of practice, and educational outreach. Since our founding in 2011, we have mobilized more than $400 million in new investments designed to help people and communities realize improved outcomes in workforce and economic mobility, health, and housing. Learn more at socialfinance.org. 

About Mad Capital 

Mad Capital provides tailor-fit private credit to organic farmers and regenerative ranchers in the US. They are working to bridge the transition financing gap by providing the longer-term capital it takes to transition a degraded farm to a beautiful, profitable, and regenerative farm. Learn more at https://madcapital.com/