︎
The Community Arts Stabilization Trust (CAST) was founded on the belief that the arts drive strong, vibrant, diverse communities. Launched through a collaborative effort between the Northern California Community Loan Fund (NCCLF) and the Kenneth Rainin Foundation, CAST secures space and works with community arts organizations to help develop and strengthen their financial and organizational capacity to purchase permanent facilities and navigate complex real estate issues.

The Community Arts Stabilization Trust (CAST) was founded on the belief that the arts drive strong, vibrant, diverse communities. Launched through a collaborative effort between the Northern California Community Loan Fund (NCCLF) and the Kenneth Rainin Foundation, CAST secures space and works with community arts organizations to help develop and strengthen their financial and organizational capacity to purchase permanent facilities and navigate complex real estate issues.

Community Arts Stabilization Trust’s internationally recognized model aims to address the affordability crisis through the purchase and lease space for the exclusive use of nonprofit arts organizations. With a background in artist space development, I worked directly with the NCCLF team, CAST’s Board of Directors and consultants to launch the startup nonprofit, including developing its board, establishing its brand identity, hiring its first staff, fundraising, and much more.

Date: 2013-2017
Location: San Francisco and Oakland
Role: Project Management, Brand Development, Staffing, Fundraising, Strategic Partnerships
Organization: Community Arts Stabilization Trust via Kenneth Rainin Foundation
Press: See all at cast-sf.org




CounterPulse’s new location at 80 Turk Street in San Francisco prior to its purchase by CAST and subsequent lease-to-own arrangement with the organization. 

CAST’s programs: 

  • Stabilize rent for nonprofit arts organizations by freezing real estate prices in an escalating market.
  • Increase the financial acumen of cultural organization.
  • Use New Market Tax Credits to bring new capital to arts facility projects.
  • Involve multiple partners in San Francisco, including the San Francisco Mayor’s Office of Economic & Workforce Development and the San Francisco Arts Commission.
  • Assist arts organizations with their capitalization by helping them gain a permanent asset without risking their operations and programs.