NMTC financing helps Dr. Howard Fuller Collegiate Academy construct college prep high school campus

Client need

Dr. Howard Fuller Collegiate Academy is a tuition-free, not-for-profit, public charter school serving predominately African American scholars who reside in Milwaukee’s poorest neighborhoods. The Academy provides college-preparatory education for a 96% low-income student body. Many students enter the Academy with a third grade reading level, single-digit ACT score and a belief that college is not attainable for them. Through customized curriculum and a college preparatory learning environment, the Academy redirects this paradigm resulting in 100% of its graduates being accepted into college since 2012.

Since opening in 2004, the Academy has experienced continued growth in enrollment. Upon identifying the opportunity to construct a new state-of-the-art facility that would offer additional space to accommodate growth and access to partners who advance the school’s mission, the Academy initiated a capital campaign to facilitate the project. Cash flow for the school is challenged and market rate debt would compromise educational and program offerings. The