Community Investment Collaborative

Micro-loans up to $50,000; amount varies by applicant.

Rolling applications — no set deadline.

AMOUNT

Micro-loans up to $50,000; amount varies by applicant.

AMOUNT

Micro-loans up to $50,000; amount varies by applicant.

DEADLINE

Rolling applications — no set deadline.

DEADLINE

Rolling applications — no set deadline.

FUNDING TYPE

CDFI, Loan

CAN YOU GET THIS?

This is for under-resourced entrepreneurs in the Charlottesville, Virginia region who need small business financing they can't get elsewhere.

CIC is a CDFI focused on micro-enterprises that face gaps in traditional lending. They offer micro-loans up to $50,000 alongside education and mentoring, with a mission explicitly centered on under-resourced founders.

YOUR REAL ODDS

No public data on acceptance rates, but CIC is a community-scale lender serving a specific regional market, so competition is local rather than national.

CIC has been operating since 2012 and highlights individual entrepreneur success stories, suggesting a hands-on, relationship-based process rather than a high-volume open call.

WHAT IT TAKES

Review eligibility and apply for financing on their website — 1-2 hours
Engage with CIC's 16-week Entrepreneur Workshop if required or recommended — 16 weeks
Work with a CIC mentor or advisor to strengthen your application — Ongoing

WORTH KNOWING

CIC pairs financing with education and mentoring — completing their Entrepreneur Workshop appears to be a core part of how they assess and support applicants, so engaging with the full program likely strengthens your loan candidacy.

Apply on the funder’s site →

Community 1st Credit Union

Varies; loan terms depend on business type and credit profile.

Iowa-based small businesses and startups can apply for business loans through this CDFI credit union on a rolling basis.

Afena Federal Credit Union

Varies; personal and business loans from $200 up to undisclosed amounts depending on product.

Small businesses and startups in Indiana can access loans through this CDFI credit union, with no stated identity restrictions.

The Bridgeway Federal Credit Union

Varies; specific loan amounts not published.

Small businesses and startups in Alabama can apply for loans on a rolling basis through this CDFI credit union.

This is 1 of 1,600+ open opportunities.

$50B+ in available capital across grants, VC funds, CDFIs, and accelerators. Filter by your industry, stage, and region, and see everything you qualify for.

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$19/month · cancel anytime