The U.S. Department of the Treasury Released an updated FAQ document for the State Small Business Credit Initiative on December 4, 2023.

The U.S. Department of the Treasury released updated guidelines for the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) Capital Program on December 4, 2023.

Croatan Institute and Self-Help announce the release of a major new collaborative report that explores leading challenges faced by the Farm Credit System – the largest lender in the agricultural sector. This new report documents leading...

The U.S. Department of the Treasury announced the approval of 20 additional state awards under the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) Technical Assistance Grant Program, totaling more than $50.8 million. These awards will be used to...

The CDFA-NASDA Foundation Socially Disadvantaged Farmers & Ranchers Access to Capital Toolkit is a set of best practice resources designed to provide practical assistance to communities looking to invest in socially disadvantaged farmers and...

On November 6, 2023, the U.S. Treasury Department held a webinar outlining the SSBCI Investing in America Small Business Opportunity Program (SBOP) Notice of Funding Opportunity.

The 2023 Caren S. Franzini Fellowship class prepared a white paper summarizing their recent research exploring challenges that small businesses face when accessing capital. This paper presents findings on best practices, strategies, and initiatives...

Accelerator for America and the International Economic Development Council present the first segment in a two-part series exploring the needs and opportunities to drive more equitable entrepreneurship and small business growth in communities across...

The U.S. Department of the Treasury announced the new $75 million Investing in America Small Business Opportunity Program, a competitive grant program under the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) to support technical assistance for very...

The U.S. Department of the Treasury released an interim report on the progress the Department has made in implementing the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI), which illustrates how the funding has both supported the small business boom...

This playbook provides community, city, and regional leaders with a set of tools to create more just landscapes of opportunity through actionable, coordinated strategies that target the intersecting structural, relational, and market forces that...

The U.S. Department of the Treasury released updated Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) on September 28, 2023.

The purpose of this toolkit is to provide an overview of the tools in the development finance toolbox -- such as bonds, tax increment finance, tax credits, and revolving loan funds -- and how they can direct and attract capital to rural businesses...

State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) credit support programs present an opportunity for community development financial institutions (CDFIs) to expand their lending to eligible small businesses, including to underserved small businesses...

This publication uses data from the 2022 Small Business Credit Survey (SBCS) to examine startup firms owned by people of color (that is, firms owned by people of color that launched in 2020 or later).

The “Reframing Farmland as an Investment: A Compelling Opportunity in an Inflationary Environment” report explains why interest in the farmland asset class has never been higher - from historically being one of the most stable asset classes...

The Council of Development Finance Agencies (CDFA) is excited to announce that the Tucson Industrial Development Authority and the Development Finance Agency of Summit County, have begun active lending within the CDFA Equitable Capital Loan...

Sovereignty and Indigenous definitions of wealth make up the core values on which Natives have built their economic and financial power. Yet, there is still the issue of economic invisibility for Native Peoples, and one of the ways to combat this is...

This report, published by The Wallace Center, outlines the initial impact of the USDA's Local Food Purchase Assistance Program (LFPA). Through partnerships with state agencies, and territory and tribal governments, this innovative new program is...

On June 15, 2023, the U.S. Department of the Treasury released revised State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) Capital Program Policy Guidelines. The revisions concerned the requirements applicable to refinancing transactions by new lenders.

The U.S. Department of the Treasury released the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) Technical Assistance (TA) Grant Program Reporting Guidelines. This guidance details the reporting and document-retention requirements for jurisdictions...

The U.S. Department of the Treasury updated the Fact Sheet for the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI). The updated sheet includes information about program design, implementation status, and capital program spotlights.

CDFA's Modernizing Agricultural and Manufacturing Bonds Act was introduced as H.R. 3787 in the U.S. House of Representatives with bipartisan support by Rep. LaHood (R-IL), Kildee (D-MI), Feenstra (R-IA), and Evans (D-PA).

Standing at the intersection of real estate ownership and business ownership, the real estate development industry has the potential to be a powerful engine for Black and Hispanic Americans to build wealth. This report presents the findings of...

Real estate is the largest source of asset-based wealth and opportunity for American families, and yet Black and other communities of color are systematically marginalized in renting, owning, and financing real estate. In addition to facilitating...

Funding Sources for Food-Related Businesses includes sources of local, regional, and national finance opportunities that may be available to producers, distributors, food hubs, and food-related businesses. Initially informed by a list of funding...

The U.S. Department of the Treasury updated the State Small Business Credit Initiative Technical Assistance Grant Program FAQs on May 9, 2023.

Forest and farm producer organizations (FFPOs) from Africa, Asia, and the Americas met with potential donors and allies in Washington D.C. to discuss advantages and opportunities to invest in and strengthen the capacities of indigenous, community,...

The U.S. Department of the Treasury held its quarterly State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) All Jurisdiction meeting and provided updates on the SSBCI Capital Program, Technical Assistance Grant Program, outreach efforts, work groups, and...

On April 28, 2023, the U.S. Department of the Treasury released the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) Technical Assistance Grant Program guidelines.

CDFA is excited to announce the 2023 CDFA Equitable Lending Learning Series, created in partnership with Lendistry and The Center by Lendistry. The CDFA Equitable Lending Learning Series will provide in-depth instruction to small business lenders on...

With support from a third round of funding from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation (WKKF), CDFA is continuing to advocate for Defining the Food System Asset Class by building on previous efforts to increase opportunities and leverage existing capital to...

THE MISSION OF BLACK FARMER FUND IS TO NURTURE BLACK COMMUNITY WEALTH & HEALTH BY INVESTING IN BLACK AGRICULTURAL SYSTEMS IN THE NORTHEAST.

Since 1976, the American Friends Service Committee’s New Mexico program has identified with the struggles of local people to empower themselves, with particular attention to water and land use, and the need to support traditional ways of life.

The most flexible, transparent, and customized financing built exclusively for organic, regenerative, and transitioning farmers.

Provide a turnkey financing solution to enable agroforestry conversion for farmers and landowners and provide an uncorrelated, return focused ESG opportunity for investors. We aim to fix the carbon cycle and improve climate health one acre at a time.

A new project will directly pay farmers for the ecosystem services they provide, such as cleaner water, healthier soils and increased biodiversity. The financing will support farmers who engage in regenerative agriculture practices

This technical brief is intended to serve as a practical guide for including agricultural finance in development programs; specifically, within the agricultural sub-sector of innovative climate-smart businesses, production and business models, and...

Potlikker Capital is a farm community governed charitable integrated capital fund created to holistically serve BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and people of color) farmers in America who operate at the intersection of racial and climate justice.

Successfully accessing appropriate capital to grow or sustain your farm business takes focus and dedication. Below, you will find resources on farm financing solutions that will help you develop the skills and understand the steps needed to analyze,...

State of Vermont Agency of Agriculture Food and Markets.

Expanding access to agricultural finance provides agricultural producers and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with the capital needed to increase productivity, output, and, ultimately, income.

Stakeholders share frontline experiences using a key tool for attracting capital in Native communities.

Agriculture is the main source of income and employment for the 70 percent of the world's poor, who live in rural areas. Yet, only 10 percent of gross domestic produce (GDP) in low and middle income countries is generated by the agricultural sector....

This guide is aimed at helping farmers get ready to ask a lender for the financing needed in new and innovative ventures. When used as part of an overall enterprise development strategy, it can help farmers and lenders achieve mutually beneficial...

As a new farmer or rancher, access to land and access to capital are the biggest challenges. The first step should be developing a farm business plan. This resource will show you the following steps to achieving a farm business plan.

As more and more people demand local and or ganic food, there are increasing opportunities for new farmers. The growing organic market can provide the opportunity, but it is challenging to start your own farm without proper planning.

Serving Illinois’ diverse farm and agri-businesses, Illinois Finance Authority provides access to low-cost capital to help seed, grow and sustain your business.

This guide will introduce you to the new Microloan program offered by the Farm Service Agency (FSA) of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). 1 Under this new program, FSA will make loans of up to $35,000 to farmers for farm operating...

The overview provides a quick guide to federal farm and food-related programs and grants, organized by issue and by who is eligible to apply or sign up.