Charter Schools Development Corporation (CSDC)
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At CSDC, we work to eliminate barriers to educational access, choice and equity for under resourced communities by providing comprehensive financing and real estate solutions to educational facilities across the United States. Our innovative approach optimizes existing budgets to support green building practices and energy-efficient designs, helping schools create healthier learning environments for students.

Our Partners in Transforming Education

Coalition of Public Independent Charter Schools

Leading the Way with Smart & Innovative Facility Solutions

For over 25 years, Charter Schools Development Corporation (CSDC), a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation and Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), has been a trailblazer, championing school choice and providing educational facility solutions in underserved communities.

Long-term Impact on Students

CSDC is a proud member of the Opportunity Finance Network® (OFN), the nation’s leading network of high-performing CDFIs. As the only CDFI in the country focused exclusively on the facility and financing needs of charter school organizations, an integral part of the CSDC mission as a CDFI is to provide guidance to prospective and client schools.

Real Estate

CSDC's best-in-class real estate development services offer charter schools a range of flexible and supportive options.

Owner’s Representative

CSDC oversees the entire project on your behalf, providing an invaluable service to successful, expanding charter schools who recognize the benefits of outsourcing their facility needs to an experienced developer. Services include:

Site selection, acquisition, and due diligence
Development and oversight of project budget
Project management of all phases beginning from the RFP selection process, initial design, permitting, and construction

Turnkey Development Program (TDP)

CSDC, as a non-profit developer, is committed to sustainable practices that benefit both client schools and the environment. We strive to pass on cost savings to client schools through lower rents, flexible lending terms, and affordable fixed purchase options, while also prioritizing eco-friendly solutions. Our Turnkey Development Program (TDP) services include:

Real estate consulting services with financial feasibility analysis to determine the best facility option
Adaptive re-use of existing buildings, focusing on sustainable renovation techniques and materials to minimize environmental impact
Ground-up construction of facilities, utilizing green building standards and energy-efficient designs, when possible
Expansion of current facilities with an emphasis on sustainable growth and reduced carbon footprint

Throughout all our projects, we are committed to implementing environmentally responsible practices such as:

Using renewable and recycled materials where possible
Incorporating energy-efficient systems and appliances
Prioritizing water conservation measures
Considering solar power and other renewable energy options
Designing for optimal natural lighting by incorporating design features like skylights and solar tubes and switching to energy efficient LED lighting,
Improving ventilation through upgrades to HVAC systems

By integrating these sustainable approaches, CSDC aims to create healthier learning environments, reduce long-term operational costs for schools, and contribute to a more sustainable future.

Learn More about Partnering with CSDC

Finance

CSDC's financing solutions distinguish us as the premier non-profit lender in the charter school space, helping to build a solid foundation that propels your school’s long-term success, sustainability, and environmental responsibility.

Lease and Loan Guarantee

Provide credit enhancement support through its Building Block Fund (think of CSDC as a “co-signer” to help with qualifying for an initial lease or loan)

Direct Lending

As a non-profit developer, CSDC strives to pass on cost savings to client schools through lower interest rates, flexible lending terms, affordable fixed purchase options, and support for eco-friendly initiatives. Services include:

Provide lending for facility acquisition, construction, expansion, leasehold, or tenant improvement loans.‍
Offer guidance on incorporating renewable energy solutions, energy-efficient systems, and sustainable materials in school facilities‍
Support retrofitting existing buildings for improved energy performance and reduced carbon footprint

Learn More about Partnering with CSDC

Transforming Education: Impact in numbers

CSDC is making a difference in the lives of students and communities we serve.

220

Charter Schools
served

100K

Student
Seats

8.4M

sq. ft. of educational space financed or developed

Access | Choice | Equity

As a CDFI lender and non-profit developer, CSDC focuses on finding the right facility solutions for schools and communities.

Samples of Our Projects

Bringing Educational Equity to the Forefront

Charter School CSDC Spotlight

Read the latest news and insights on how Charter School Development Corporation's financing solutions are changing the game for underserved charter schools.

Your Partnership Matters: Let's Shape the Future Together

Future Proofing Education: The Need to Advocate for Improved Charter School Facilities Funding

Transforming Communities: The CSDC Journey with Futuro Academy

Catapult Fund Launched to Provide Public Charter Schools with Flexible Financing Solutions

2024 Impact Report

CHARTER SCHOOLS DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (CSDC) AWARDED

(Hanover, MD, October 4, 2022) The Charter Schools Development Corporation (CSDC) announced today that it was awarded a $70 million bond loan from the United States Treasury Department’s Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI Fund) Bond Guarantee Program (BGP).

CSDC Selected to Receive U.S. Department of Energy Grant to Implement Clean Energy Improvements to Schools Nationwide

THE FOUNDING FRIENDS LIBRARY

To celebrate the 30th year of charter public schools, CSDC launched a first-of-its-kind website during May 2021 National Charter Schools Week!

TRACING THE PATH OF CHARTER SCHOOL FACILITIES

When former Minnesota State Senator Ember Reichgott Junge traveled the tumultuous journey to pass the first charter school law in the nation on June 4, 1991, the issue of charter school facilities was rarely mentioned in any debate.

Charter Schools Development Corporation (CSDC) supports quality school choice for underserved students by developing and financing affordable charter school facilities.

In accordance with federal laws and U.S. Department of the Treasury policy, this organization is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. To file a complaint of discrimination, write to: U.S. Department of the Treasury, Director, Office of Civil Rights and Equal Employment Opportunity 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20220; call (202) 622-1160; or send an e-mail to: crcomplaints@treasury.gov.