REDF Impact Investing Fund

Varies; loan sizes range up to at least $400K based on published deals. Terms are flexible and tailored.

Rolling submissions — no fixed deadline cycle.

AMOUNT

Varies; loan sizes range up to at least $400K based on published deals. Terms are flexible and tailored.

AMOUNT

Varies; loan sizes range up to at least $400K based on published deals. Terms are flexible and tailored.

DEADLINE

Rolling submissions — no fixed deadline cycle.

DEADLINE

Rolling submissions — no fixed deadline cycle.

FUNDING TYPE

CDFI, Loan

CAN YOU GET THIS?

You must be an employment social enterprise — a business that hires people breaking through barriers to employment.

RIIF is a CDFI that lends to small businesses and startups across the U.S. whose core mission involves employing people with employment barriers. Lived expertise among entrepreneurs is explicitly valued ('58% of entrepreneurs have lived expertise').

YOUR REAL ODDS

RIIF has closed 46 loans and investments since its 2019 launch, deploying $15.1M across a national portfolio — a selective but active lender.

The fund is growing (it recently closed a $400K loan in early 2026 and raised $32.2M in total capital), but the niche focus on employment social enterprises means most conventional small businesses will not qualify. If your business fits the mission, the team is described as high-touch and supportive through underwriting.

WHAT IT TAKES

Confirm eligibility: your business must primarily employ people facing employment barriers — 1–2 hours self-assessment
Submit a Loan Inquiry Form on RIIF's website — 1–3 hours to complete
Engage in RIIF's high-touch underwriting and capacity-building process — Weeks to months, varies by loan size

WORTH KNOWING

RIIF explicitly uses 'lived expertise as collateral,' meaning founders with personal experience of employment barriers are considered creditworthy even without traditional financial track records. The team also connects borrowers with other lenders to build a larger capital stack.

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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