As of December 2023, Buck Financial Advisors has completed over $6 billion in charter school financings, exceeding 225 individual transactions in 18 different states. This is a little more than two years since Buck Financial crossed the $5 billion mark in 2021. Buck Financial was formed in 2001 to specialize in charter school facility finance.
Sources of financing used by Buck Financial Advisors has varied from fixed-rate, fully amortizing bonds to New Markets Tax Credits, bank loans, private loans, CDFI and other mission-driven sources, subordinate debt, soft put-bonds, and others sources that in my advanced age I simply can’t remember. That’s the beauty being an independent advisor and charter school specialist – you aren’t married to any one source of financing and you have the relationships to fit the type of financing to the client’s need.
Charter schools are facing so many hurdles: political attacks, efforts to limit their growth, the pandemic, and facility cost inflation that is unprecedented. Yet, you all persevere and thrive, finding ways to square the circles in creative and adaptive ways that your traditional public school brethren simply can’t match. I like what I do, and like being a small part of some of what is good about this country: the combined effort to change the life trajectory of so many kids through access to a quality education.
Client relationships often exceed 10 years, and exceed 15-years in some cases, which is a testament to the quality of service provided by Buck Financial Advisors. I am truly grateful to all clients who have made this possible, as well as the other professionals and colleagues with whom I’ve worked with along the way. I’ve gotten to know some simply incredible people who toil and sweat to make the lives of so many students and families better, whose efforts and attitudes are truly humbling. In the end, its those personal relationships and the number of quality charter school seats resulting from these collective efforts that truly matter. Looking forward continuing to work with all of you, and thank you, again, for working together all these years.