a generosity newsletter from The Signatry

IN THIS EMAIL

Live generously

Cause Champions: Attainable Housing for Essential Workers

Give strategically

Alternative Investments for Good

Live Generously

Cause Champions: Attainable Housing for Essential Workers

Jason Roberts told me he was embarrassed when he realized that his kids’ constant movie days at school were the result of a much bigger problem. 

Teachers were leaving at unprecedented rates because they couldn’t afford to live in the communities where they taught. 

Jason knew this was a problem he could help solve. He determined that his most valuable contribution to the cause would be his career as an investor and home builder.  

https://thesignatry.com/cause-champions/jason-roberts/

Already established as a housing development entrepreneur, he began talking with school and city officials about creating a beautiful, affordable neighborhood that would help retain essential workers. Soon, he launched Upward Communities. 

The company is a private sector, non-governmental venture that builds neighborhoods exclusively for city and school employees at affordable rates. 

“We’ve only sent out one email to staff, and we already have 650 people on the waiting list,” Jason said. “The demand is just so high.” 

His story, both as an entrepreneur and as a Cause Champion, is a reminder to keep our ears open for God’s call. He may show you a big problem, like teachers leaving your local school. He may also show you how to use your skills and abilities to be part of the solution. 

With gratitude,

Nick Bartelli

Story Producer

My causes: Literacy and Missions

Give Strategically

Alternative Investments for Good

Upward Communities, the result of Jason Roberts’ investment in housing for essential workers, is also a good example of the alternative investments (alts) our team likes to pursue at The Signatry: sustainable, profitable engines for good. 

“As an investor and a home builder, I can’t solve [teachers'] income problem, but what can I do? I can provide them with an amazing community that they want to live in. ... From an investment standpoint, I’ve never seen anything this emotionally beneficial.” - Jason Roberts, Upward Communities 

The Signatry’s DAFs can invest in a variety of alts, including private equity, venture capital, hedge funds, and real estate. 

These are opportunities many DAF sponsors will not dig into, but our team has a bigger vision for our donors and the funds they entrust to us. 

We have worked closely with donor families to invest in a wide variety of alternative investments—both opportunities donors recommend to us and opportunities we pre-vet and invite qualified donors to consider. If it makes sense for the fund and expects strong returns or impact, we’re eager to help you make it part of a broader generosity strategy. 

In 2025 alone, we partnered with 31 donor families to invest in 78 alts totaling over $66.4 million. 

Why alternative investments for a DAF?

Diversify for sustainable growth. Just like a personal portfolio, a DAF can experience more sustainable growth with a variety of investments. What you've already contributed can grow for greater impact later. 

Invest for specialized growth. Like Jason Roberts, you may know of a problem that can be solved most effectively with profitable, private-sector innovation. Investing a DAF in a company like Upward Communities is another way to fuel these beneficial ideas while growing the DAF balance for future nonprofit impact, too. 

What next? 

For more information, go to the Alternative Investments page on our website. Be among the first to learn about new alt opportunities at The Signatry. Subscribe to specifically receive updates about alts by completing this form: https://forms.thesignatry.com/investment-updates 

In partnership,

Colby Leseberg

Director of Finance

My causes: Discipleship and Family Services

Note: Upward Communities is not open for investments at this time, but it’s an example of the type of curated opportunities we offer.