Northern Shores Community Development, Inc.

Varies; loan amounts not publicly listed — contact directly for specifics.

Rolling — applications accepted on an ongoing basis.

AMOUNT

Varies; loan amounts not publicly listed — contact directly for specifics.

AMOUNT

Varies; loan amounts not publicly listed — contact directly for specifics.

DEADLINE

Rolling — applications accepted on an ongoing basis.

DEADLINE

Rolling — applications accepted on an ongoing basis.

FUNDING TYPE

CDFI, Loan

CAN YOU GET THIS?

Any small business or startup in Michigan can apply, including Indigenous entrepreneurs.

Northern Shores is a certified Native CDFI offering business, micro-enterprise, and farm loans to entrepreneurs across the entire state of Michigan. They serve underserved borrowers who may not qualify with traditional lenders.

YOUR REAL ODDS

No public data on approval rates, but as an alternative lender they explicitly work with applicants who face barriers at conventional banks.

The process starts with a meeting with the Executive Director or Loan Officer before you even complete an application, which filters for readiness rather than just credit score.

WHAT IT TAKES

Contact the Executive Director or Loan Officer to schedule an initial review meeting — 1-2 days to schedule
Gather required loan documentation (business plan, financials, cash flow) — 1-2 weeks
Submit application with fee ($30 for loans under $5,000; $50 for $5,000+) — 1-2 days

WORTH KNOWING

They offer free technical assistance including business plan development, credit counseling, and cash flow analysis — use this before applying if your documentation isn't ready.

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