Economic and Community Development Institute, Inc. (ECDI)

Varies; loan amounts not publicly specified.

Rolling — apply any time, no set deadline.

AMOUNT

Varies; loan amounts not publicly specified.

AMOUNT

Varies; loan amounts not publicly specified.

DEADLINE

Rolling — apply any time, no set deadline.

DEADLINE

Rolling — apply any time, no set deadline.

FUNDING TYPE

CDFI, Loan

CAN YOU GET THIS?

Open to small businesses and startups across Ohio, with some coverage in Kentucky, Indiana, and West Virginia near Cincinnati and Portsmouth.

ECDI focuses on entrepreneurs who face barriers to traditional capital. No specific revenue or credit score thresholds are listed publicly, but they explicitly help businesses with gaps in collateral.

YOUR REAL ODDS

ECDI has served over 36,000 entrepreneurs and distributed $212M in loans since 2004, suggesting consistent, ongoing lending activity rather than a competitive one-time award.

As a CDFI and the nation's top SBA microlender, they are designed to serve founders who may not qualify elsewhere. Rolling applications mean you're not competing in a single cohort cycle.

WHAT IT TAKES

Start a loan inquiry online or call 1-888-210-3039 — 30 minutes
Attend an ECDI Orientation Session (listed on their events calendar) — 1–2 hours
Submit your application with business and financial documents — 1–2 weeks to gather materials

WORTH KNOWING

ECDI pairs loans with free training, mentorship, and advising — attending their free weekly events before applying can help you connect with advisors who guide your application.

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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