LFFF Launches DC Fund to Support Early-Stage Facilities Financing for Washington, D.C. Charter Schools

Level Field Facilities Fund (LFFF) has announced the launch of the LFFF DC Fund, part of the newly launched DC Charter Facilities Fund (DCCFF), a $250MM revolving loan fund designed to ensure that DC public charter schools have access to the financing they need to create exceptional learning environments. 

The LFFF DC fund, one of two funds launched under DCCFF, is currently capitalized at $22.5MM and is projected to reach a total size of $50MM. It will provide flexible, early-stage loans for acquisition, predevelopment, leasehold improvements, and starter construction capital, areas where charter schools often face the greatest barriers to accessing capital, particularly in Washington, D.C.

“We’ve wanted to launch a DC fund for a long time because we’ve seen how difficult the early stages of facilities projects can be for DC schools,” said LFFF Co-Founder David Endom. “A lot of projects struggle to move forward simply because the right capital isn’t available early enough. This fund is designed to help address that.”

Building on its national experience, including a recently launched $50MM National Fund, LFFF is bringing this approach to Washington, D.C. with a focus on structuring solutions that reflect the needs and realities of different schools.

“By providing access to LFFF’s early-stage capital, we can help operators approach their real estate objectives from positions of strength,” said Alex Shawe, LFFF Co-Founder. “This LFFF fund will enable schools to secure project financing when they need it most, allowing them to get past early hurdles that can threaten project viability.”

As part of the broader DCCFF initiative, Equitable Facilities Fund (EFF) is launching a complementary fund alongside LFFF’s targeted early-stage lending to provide larger-scale, long-term financing for charter school facilities projects. Together, the two funds are designed to create a more coordinated pipeline of capital from early development through permanent financing, reducing fragmentation in the market and broadening access for schools. 

DCCFF is governed by Education Forward DC, Federal City Council, and representatives from the Clark Foundation, with advisory support from the DC Charter School Alliance. DCCFF is seeded with $28MM in philanthropic commitments, including a landmark $20 million investment from the A. James & Alice B. Clark Foundation. By incentivizing new  investment, the Clark Foundation commitment will strengthen the overall facilities financing ecosystem in DC, enabling innovative debt capital to support schools navigating the District’s highly competitive real estate market. 

“Every school project looks a little different, especially in a market like DC,” said Shelly Cleary, LFFF President. “Our job is to help schools—from single-site operators to growing CMOs—think through those early stages and structure financing that actually works for where they are.”

“We’re excited to partner in this effort to strengthen facilities financing in Washington, D.C.,” said Michelle Getz, Partner & Chief Investment Officer at Equitable Facilities Fund. “By working alongside LFFF, we’re able to support schools at different stages and create a more connected path from early development through long-term financing.”

Learn more about the LFFF DC Fund and the broader DC Charter Facilities Fund.