Andrea Poole provides advisory services for the feasibility, affordability, structuring, underwriting, and closing of community development financings and investments. She provides facilities, finance, operations, management, and governance review for Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), school districts, federal agencies, charter school authorizers and foundations.

Andrea Poole was responsible for IFF’s nonprofit school development across the Midwest where she structured, underwrote and closed more than 100 charter school financings between 2011-2017. Ms. Poole has underwritten schools participating in complex facilities financing structures including New Markets Tax Credits, Historic Tax Credits, the US Department of Education Credit Enhancement program, the CDFI Bond Guaranty Program and private bank loans. Ms. Poole is a frequent presenter on real estate and finance at education conferences and she was a member of the National Association of Charter School Authorizers Lender Working Group and the Charter School Lenders Coalition.

Andrea Poole managed a portfolio of real estate, loan and grant funds for early care and education facilities and structured financing and underwrote loans for child care facilities serving 500 children annually. She also provided design, finance, operations and program assessment consultation to the Departments of Education, Health and Human Services and taught facilities design and financing workshops to 250 educators and policy-makers annually. She was a project team member to develop three technical assistance guides – Green Guide to Early Learning Facilities, School Age Care, and Renovating Facilities for Children. Ms. Poole was a member of the Governor’s Early Learning Council; the RI Department of Education’s pre-K initiative; the Bright Stars Child Care Quality Rating and Improvement System Steering Committee; the RI Department of Health’s Healthy Eating Active Living Task Force; and the Permanent Legislative Committee on Child Care.

Andrea Poole conducted research; analyzed data, and established goals, policies and implementation activities for Master Plans and Open Space and Recreation Plans. She developed 9 successful proposals and managed projects using competitive CDBG, HOME and HDSP funds. Ms. Poole managed the planning, site analysis, financing and development of a LEED-eligible senior center and was the project manager for municipal housing rehabilitation, lead abatement and sewer connection programs. She frequently facilitated and presented at community policy/planning forums, town meetings, municipal boards and committees.