Callis Capital

Callis capital

Firm Headquarters: Chicago, Illinois

Date Founded: 2020

Investments to Date: Under 10

Website: TBD

This Page was Updated September 2020

Investment Approach

As compared to other products, real estate offers a unique platform from which to minister to people, and the opportunity to grow the FDI in real estate (FDI+RE) movement is still dramatically untapped. Current data suggests that less than one percent (1%) of multi-family housing projects in the United States have a documented plan for integration of Christian faith within the community, and that figure falls significantly when looking outside of multi-family housing. 

Callis Capital was initially formed to develop a curated and diversified portfolio of FDI+RE assets for a small group of investors.  We are doing this with a focus on the US marketplace, with each of our investments having spiritual impact at the center of its business plan and targeting attractive risk-adjusted financial returns.  We will go beyond simply accepting the ministry plans of our investment partners, but will support, encourage and push them as they live out their faith at work.

We will invest with some operators and spiritual integration models that are established and offer the benefits of less variable economics, evolved ministry application, and allocations alongside well informed investors.  We will also invest with smaller operators that are locally focused with the ability to deliver outsized spiritual impact through networks that are deeply rooted in their communities and positioned for an extended duration and continuity of service and ministry. 

We currently have commitments of $20M and are leaving the fund open for the next few months.  It is a closed-end fund with a focus on cash flowing investments, targeting stabilized 6-8% annualized cash on cash returns to LPs.  There is an 8% (compounding IRR) preferred return to LP investors, and a 20% promote to the GP. 

Focused Geographic Regions of Investment: 

  • Is all of your activity in the US?
    Yes. We are not targeting specific states, but have been most active in the south, southeast, midwest, and Colorado.

  • What countries outside of the US are you active in?
    None.

Focused Industries of Investment:

  • Real Estate.

Previous or Active Portfolio Companies:

None at this time.

Investment Example:

None at this time.

Capital Raise Strategy

  • Total Assets Under Management: Total amount invested to date is $20,000,000.

  • Our number of members: 10-20

  • Average Investment: $2,000,000   

  • Minimum Amount: $250,000

  • % of Capital from Top 3 Investors: More than 50%

  • Financial Reporting Frequency to Investors: Quarterly Reports

  • Setup to accept charitable capital through the National Christian Foundation or other listing platforms?
    Not yet.

Leadership Team

  • Cumulative Leadership Experience in Accredited Investing: 10-20 years

Ben Erskine | Managing partner

Ben Erskine is the Managing Partner of Callis Capital. Ben has spent the past 14 years in the real estate industry working on both the brokerage and investment sides of the business. Most recently and for much of his career, Ben has served as a Managing Director for Jones Lang LaSalle (NYSE: JLL), a fortune 200 global real estate services company.

Spiritual Integration and Impact:

Faith Driven Investing can span a wide range from high yield to concessionary returns that have a higher level of spiritual integration. Having clear expectations of this philosophy is key for the movement. Each investment is unique and you might want to select multiples but if you had to choose one quadrant that best fits your groups spiritual integration and financial performance targets … What would it be?

High spiritual integration, market rate financial return.

Describe the Spiritual Integration Activities of the Fund:

  • In addition to providing capital, it is our mission as LP equity partners to bring an FDI voice of encouragement and thought leadership to the faith-driven sponsors and operators from the capital stack.

Is Impact and Spiritual Integration Tracked?

  • Callis Capital requires regular reporting on spiritual integration initiatives and results from each of our investments. 

Are you partnered with any other organizations?

  • No formal partnerships currently.

A lot of Investing Conversations look at Social Impact related to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Is there one of these that most resonates with your organization?

  • Good Health and Wellbeing

  • Decent Work and Economic Growth

  • Peace Justice and Strong Institutions

WHY The FAITH DRIVEN INVESTOR?

  • Why are you compelled to be certified and a part of the Faith Driven Investor Group?

    A part of our Mission at Callis is to grow the FDI Movement.  The formation of our fund was encouraged and inspired out of the movement and we look to do the same.  We hope that we can pour into the Movement as much as we get out of it.

  • Does the leadership align with the Unifying Principles on Faith Driven Investor and agree to the Code of Conduct? Yes

  • Who nominated you to be listed on the FDI site? Henry Kaestner, Luke Roush, Justin Forman, Vip Vipperman

AFFILIATIONS- Are you a part of any third party groups, affiliations that you would like to list here?

  • None at this time.

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