The AST Accelerator Fund
Mission-aligned capital that turns opportunity into lasting housing
The AST Accelerator Fund allows capital to work for the community — providing the flexible, mission-aligned funding needed to grow the Artist Housing Commons responsibly.
Artist housing opportunities often depend on timing. A property becomes available. A legacy gift needs to be stabilized. A home must be prepared before artists can move in. The Accelerator Fund enables Artist Space Trust to act in these moments — without compromising long-term affordability, care, or stewardship.
Photo credit (clockwise from top left): Meg Shiffler, C. Wagner Photography
Why Flexible Capital Matters
Artist housing does not fit neatly into traditional real estate or development timelines. Many of the most meaningful opportunities — especially bequests, donations, and below–market acquisitions — require early, patient capital before long-term funding is in place.
The AST Accelerator Fund exists to:
Respond quickly to time-sensitive opportunities
Reduce reliance on high-interest or extractive debt
Prepare homes thoughtfully for artist residents and homeowners
Align growth with AST’s staffing, reserves, and stewardship capacity
Rather than forcing housing into rigid financing structures, the Accelerator Fund supports growth that is paced, values-aligned, and durable.
What the Accelerator Fund Supports
Capital from the AST Accelerator Fund may be used to:
Acquire properties entering the Artist Housing Commons
Bridge funding gaps for donated or bequeathed homes
Prepare homes for artist residency or homeownership
Support Aging in Place arrangements during transitions
Stabilize projects while long-term funding is secured
Each use of funds is evaluated through AST’s stewardship lens — prioritizing long-term affordability, care, and community benefit.
How the Fund Is Structured
The AST Accelerator Fund is a revolving reserve of loan capital contributed by individual donors and foundations, structured primarily as Program-Related Investments (PRIs).
PRIs are low- or no-interest loans that:
Advance charitable mission
Are repaid over time
Allow capital to be reused for future housing projects
This structure enables contributors to support housing justice while strengthening the long-term health of the Commons.
Who the Accelerator Fund Is For
The Accelerator Fund is designed for:
Foundations making Program-Related Investments
Donors interested in mission-aligned lending
Partners seeking long-term, systems-level impact
It is especially well-suited for those who want to support artist housing beyond one-time gifts — by strengthening the infrastructure that makes housing stability possible.
Photo credit: Flee Kieselhorst
Protecting the Commons
The Accelerator Fund helps AST grow without placing undue financial pressure on homes or residents. By using flexible capital strategically, AST can:
Reduce reliance on debt
Preserve long-term affordability
Ensure that homes entering the Commons are financially and structurally sound
This approach reflects AST’s commitment to growth with integrity — expanding the Commons without sacrificing care, accountability, or resilience.
A Tool for Long-Term Impact
Over the next decade, Artist Space Trust is working toward securing approximately 300 artist households within the Artist Housing Commons. The Accelerator Fund is one of the key tools that makes this scale of impact possible.
It transforms shared capital into shared stability — enabling homes to move from opportunity to permanence within the Commons.
Photo: AST and NCLT staff
Learn More or Get Involved
If you are interested in learning more about the AST Accelerator Fund, we welcome conversation.