Application

Apply to the Aequo Fund

The Aequo Fund was established to level the playing field in real estate by providing capital and support to emerging developers who are black, brown, women, immigrant or from other groups that traditionally struggle to obtain investment. The Aequo Fund supports infill and modest scale rehab and resell projects. The Aequo Fund has three pathways to becoming a participating developer:

1.       Community-Based. The Aequo Fund accepts applications from individuals within an under-represented group in real estate as listed above with some experience in Real Estate or related fields. These individuals have not fully launched as an independent developer or been able to access capital for projects. Most “community-based” applicants have been directly involved in a small-scale rehab project or two. Applicants also must subscribe to Aequo’s “development-without-displacement” ethic of rehabilitating vacant buildings and adding value to neighborhoods.Note: Due to a large volume of responses, any Community-Based applications will be reviewed beginning again in Fall 2021.

2.      Affiliated Academic Program. The Aequo Fund accepts applications from individuals who are of an under-represented group in real estate as listed above and who are recent graduates of Aequo-affiliated Master’s level real estate programs. Currently, Aequo-affiliated programs are: Master of Real Estate at Cornell University, Master of Regional Planning at Cornell University, Master of Real Estate at Columbia University. These applicants also must subscribe to Aequo’s “development-without-displacement” ethic of rehabilitating vacant buildings and adding value to neighborhoods.

3.       GirlBuild. The Aequo Fund has a relationship with GirlBuild, a soon-to-be-launched empowerment initiative for women in the development and construction industry. Aequo will receive applications from GirlBuild program graduates.

Thank you! Your submission has been received. You will hear from us via email within 14 days to schedule a follow-up interview for the Aequo fund.
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By checking this box, I certify that I meet the criteria above




Educational Background (please indicate if you are an “Affiliated Academic Program” applicant)
Business Name, if applicable
Which gender do you identify with?
Please check the box below if you identify as being a part of the LGBTQIA+ community
Which of the following best describes you? (Hold Command to select multiple options)
Please check the box below if you are an immigrant to the United States
Please check the box below if you are otherwise a member of a group that traditionally struggles to access capital and advance in the development field which is not included in the above questions
If you selected yes, please describe how you have personally struggled to access capital
Which city are you active in? (Hold Command to select multiple options)
List your city, if not listed above
Have you ever worked in one of these Real Estate adjacent fields? (Hold Command to select multiple options)
Other related experience (write in):
Please check the box below if you have ever worked on the rehabilitation of a property for resale or rental occupancy
If yes, please provide the addresses and briefly describe the project, your role, the outcome, and what you learned from the experience.
Provide a brief summary of your real estate experience that was not covered in the previous questions. Additionally, please list what marketplace you are active in, and whether you have a currently active project if you have one (Note: it is not necessary to have a project to apply).
Please check the box below if you have a current or potential active project (Note:it is not necessary to have an ongoing project to be approved as an Aequo Founder)
If so, please describe the project
Please check the box below if you see yourself becoming a full-time real estate developer
In 500 words, what does equitable development mean to you and how do you see yourself supporting the Aequo Fund’s mission?
How did you hear about Aequo Fund? (Hold Command to select multiple options)