In 2024, Androscoggin Bank launched an innovative mortgage alternative created in collaboration with nonprofits serving Maine’s growing Muslim population. For years, Islamic financing principles left many families unable to use traditional mortgages, forcing them to remain renters without the chance to build equity or generational wealth.

By listening deeply, forging authentic partnerships, and committing to a trust-based approach, Androscoggin Bank developed a solution that reduced barriers to homeownership and empowered these community members to fully participate in Maine’s economy. This journey offers a compelling example of how funders, nonprofits, and institutions can create meaningful impact when they build trust, share power, and design solutions alongside the communities they aim to serve.

In this workshop, Neil Kiely, President & CEO of Androscoggin Bank, will share the story of this initiative, the lessons learned about partnership and philanthropy, and how financial empowerment can serve as a catalyst for systemic change. Participants will leave with insights they can apply to their own work—whether funding, designing, or supporting programs that expand opportunity. The session will also include a short screening of Androscoggin Bank’s feature in the BBC Storyworks' series Common Good.