National Community Investment Fund

Varies; no fixed amount disclosed.

Rolling submissions — no fixed deadline.

AMOUNT

Varies; no fixed amount disclosed.

AMOUNT

Varies; no fixed amount disclosed.

DEADLINE

Rolling submissions — no fixed deadline.

DEADLINE

Rolling submissions — no fixed deadline.

FUNDING TYPE

CDFI, Loan

CAN YOU GET THIS?

You can apply if you're a small business or startup operating in or serving low-income, rural, small-town, or urban underserved communities.

NCIF provides lending solutions and equity investments through a CDFI and mission-driven framework, prioritizing businesses in severely distressed census tracts, low- and moderate-income areas, and persistent poverty counties.

YOUR REAL ODDS

NCIF has deployed $568M across 34 states, but focus skews heavily toward mission-driven financial institutions rather than individual small businesses directly.

The lending arm does serve small businesses, but much of NCIF's capital flows through partner CDFIs, MDIs, and community banks — meaning your odds may improve by approaching NCIF through one of those intermediaries rather than directly.

WHAT IT TAKES

Review NCIF's lending and equity criteria on their site and confirm your business or project fits an underserved community focus — 1–2 hours
Contact NCIF directly via their Chicago office or contact form to discuss fit before applying — 1–2 weeks for response
Submit application or be referred to a partner MOFI or CDFI bank in your area — Varies

WORTH KNOWING

NCIF works through a national network of CDFI banks, Minority Depository Institutions, and Mission-Oriented Financial Institutions — if you're in a state where one of those partners operates, approaching through them may be faster than a direct NCIF 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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