Coalition for Nonprofit Housing and Economic Development (CNHED)

CNHED created the Guide to Small Business Financing to help small business owners in Washington, DC navigate the various local lenders (i.e., financial institutions including banks, CDFIs, MFIs) and loan products to find the best financing option for their business. There is a wealth of information on lenders and loan products available to support small businesses, and this guide aims to consolidate that information and provide key tips on how small businesses owners can research, compare, and apply for these financial resources.

Low Income Investment Fund (LIIF)

LIIF supports sustainable, community-based systems for financing and developing child care facilities through capital investments and capacity building throughout the United States, with a specific focus in California, San Francisco, Washington, DC, New York City and Atlanta. LIIF provides grant and loan capital for facilities development and improvement. In combination with capital, LIIF delivers specialized business support and development, including training and technical assistance on facilities design, development, financing and operations.

ShopHER Incubator Program - DC Women's Business Center

ShopHER’s objective is to cultivate retail entrepreneurship and reduce the obstacles that prevent the creation of successful businesses. It is specifically designed for women-owned small businesses that were hurt by the COVID pandemic and are seeking to re-establish their retail operations. By providing these companies with business counseling services and rent abatement, ShopHER will help them generate revenue and achieve stability with the goal of returning to their own retail space.

Life Asset: Loans

We support low-income entrepreneurs who have difficulties qualifying for a loan elsewhere by offering a lending model based on social-collateral and peer-support (e.g., initial loans are group loans) instead of traditional underwriting criteria (e.g., credit score, income, and collateral).

City First Enterprises (CFE)

Although essential for thriving communities, small businesses and nonprofit organizations experience particular challenges with accessing capital to build their operational capacity or expand. CFE is dedicated to closing this financing gap. Entrepreneurs and nonprofit leaders can turn to us for term loans and lines of credit, plus technical assistance.

Public Welfare Foundation

Public Welfare Foundation awards grants to nonprofits that address racial equity, economic well-being, and fundamental fairness for all. They look for strategic initiatives where their funds can improve lives through policy and system reform.  If interested, you submit a letter of inquiry and then they reply with an invitation to apply for funding.

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