Small business and entrepreneurship
Capital for the businesses that hold a community together.
A good business can be turned down for reasons that have nothing to do with whether it will succeed. The CDC provides capital to locally owned businesses and nonprofits that are viable but fall outside conventional lending, so they can grow, hire, and stay.
What we fund
- Working capital. The cash a business needs to operate and take the next order.
- Equipment and expansion. Financing for the purchase or build out that unlocks growth.
- Nonprofit lending. Capital for organizations delivering community services.
- Contractor and supplier readiness. Support for local firms preparing to compete for regional work.
- Technical assistance partnerships. Funding for the organizations that help businesses get loan ready.
Illustrative projects
- An expansion loan for a neighborhood business ready to add a second location.
- Equipment financing for a local contractor entering a larger market.
- A loan pool operated with a community development financial institution.
These are examples of the kinds of projects the CDC can support. They are not specific commitments of funding, and each project remains subject to eligibility, due diligence, and approval.
Who should ask
Locally owned small businesses, nonprofits, minority and women owned firms, community development financial institutions, and small business support organizations.
How to start
Tell us about the project
The team reviews
The team responds