A new report from Croatan Institute highlights how the Soil Wealth Area model can facilitate more investment in regenerative agriculture, enhance conservation, and support resilient rural economies. The report provides specific recommendations for...

Linking development finance and food systems can be a daunting undertaking for any community. Research on the current ecosystem of food systems finance has positioned CDFA to identify key strategies for the path ahead in this work. The Food Systems...

Regenerative farms rely on small-to-mid scale, aligned infrastructure to process, transport, and market their products. These middle infrastructure businesses help to improve farm income and bolster regional food economies while providing...

This white paper from gener8tor discusses the importance of supporting underrepresented founders and underinvested business sectors (i.e. music, art, child care).

Gener8tor produced this summary/reading guide of the SSBCI guidance that the U.S. Department of the Treasury released on November 10, 2021.

This report outlines a comprehensive approach, which is called “entrepreneur-led economic development”. The goal is to create feedback loops between entrepreneurial leaders and other local decision-makers and to cultivate networks that connect...

The Urban Institute hosted this discussion about how small businesses are faring one year after the start of widespread economic shutdowns due to the pandemic. The webinar explored the disconnect between the fall in business activity and revenues,...

This report from the Government Accountability Office examines (1) characteristics of borrowers and intermediaries in the Microloan Program, (2) program oversight of intermediaries and borrowers, (3) program performance measures, and (4)...

This report from the Congressional Research Service describes the SBA Microloan Program’s eligibility standards and operating requirements. It also examines arguments presented by the program’s critics and advocates and presents statistics and...

The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed acute and deep-rooted connections between physical and economic health. Many of the same places hit hardest by the pandemic are reeling concurrently from the health crisis, business closures, and job losses. These...

This report provides a five-step roadmap towards a more inclusive, dynamic, and productive small-business sector. The report breaks down the five steps into ten major policy recommendations with detailed policy proposals. It was authored by the...

During the April 10, 2020 Weekly COVID-19 Development Finance Briefing, Bruce Katz from Drexel University, Rachel Reilly from the Economic Innovation Group, and Katie Kramer from CDFA examined relief efforts run by local governments, philanthropic...

During the April 3, 2020 Weekly COVID-19 Development Finance Briefing, experts from the North Carolina Rural Center, the Local Initiatives Support Corporation, and the New Orleans Business Alliance discussed their respective approaches to local...

On the March 27, 2020 Weekly COVID-19 Development Finance Briefing, we discussed how Development Finance Agencies have initially responded to COVID-19, examined Congressional legislation, analyzed how federal agencies are reacting, and looked at a...

James Key-Wallace, Executive Director at New Hampshire Business Finance Authority, discusses access to capital and the benefits of leveraging public sector support for even greater private sector investment and explore a variety of programs...

This report presents the results of the SBA's Office of Inspector General 2017 audit of the SBA’s Microloan Program. OIG last conducted an audit of the SBA’s Microloan Program in 2009 and made several recommendations to improve program oversight,...

This guide by ISED Solutions and the U.S. Office of Refugee Resettlement discusses the difficulties of microlending and lending to refugees and immigrants. Use this as a guide to find inspiration in developing your own recipe for microenterprise...

This study from the National Women's Business Council aims to develop a more nuanced understanding of the impact that undercapitalization and capital structure have on the business outcomes of women-owned firms.

In this report, the Hamilton Project recommends three policy proposals including: expand funding for the SSBCI program; increase and make permanent the NMTC; and new federal funding for local skills acquisitions programs.

Mark Lieberman, Chief Start-Up Officer presented on Oregon State University's Advantage Accelerator and entrepreneurial thinking for financing.

John Hull, Executive Director, Business Innovation Institute, presented on seed and venture capital financing tools available in Oregon.

This report from University of Oregon Lundquist College of Business outlines the landscape of capital accessibility for small businesses in Oregon. The report recommends policymakers examine incentives, through programs or taxes, to encourage...

CFED published this report on financing mirobusiness. This report offers an overview of the emerging models of practice, including lessons learned from our partners and similar efforts by other organizations.

During this installment of the CDFA // BNY Mellon Development Finance Webcast Series, Shufina English and Susan Brown of the California Association for Micro Enterprise Opportunity discussed capitalization options, management tips, and creative...

During this installment of the CDFA // BNY Mellon Development Finance Webcast Series, Shufina English and Susan Brown of the California Association for Micro Enterprise Opportunity discussed capitalization options, management tips, and creative...

This guide was developed by USDA Rural Development for existing and prospective rural business owners to identify and explain the many government programs and resources available in Oregon to help plan, develop and finance a business.

The U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration (EDA) funded this research study to examine the relationship between incubator best practices and client outcomes.

The Mid-Columbia Economic Development District offers loans for the financing needs of businesses with favorable rates, terms and requirements to support businesses and create jobs. This factsheet gives an overview of the business assistance...

Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund shares their 'Farm to Plate' strategic plan to support food system entrepreneurs by assessing existing programs for applicability and researching emerging models that could bolster growth.

The Entrepreneurial Development Loan Fund is for applicants who are enrolled in or have completed a Small Business Development Center (SBDC) or other certified counseling entity program and has revenues of $500K or less for the previous year.

The California Reinvestment Coalition (CRC) is a statewide membership organization of more than 300 nonprofit community-based organizations and public agencies. This report by the CRC shows that today’s bank lending to small businesses shows only...

Low- to moderate-income (LMI) entrepreneurs face unique hurdles that can prevent them from successfully growing wealth through their businesses. This report recommends a number of ways federal and state policy makers can support LMI entrepreneurs.

Oregon Main Street works with communities to develop comprehensive, incremental revitalization strategies based on a community’s unique assets, character, and heritage. Services are based on the successful Main Street Approach® developed by the...

Virginia Small Business Financing Authority (VSBFA) released their relatively new Small Business Microloan Program. The program has been successful in meeting financing needs for microenterprises. VSBFA does very little to no underwriting of these...

The California Financial Opportunities Roundtable (CalFOR) created this document encompassing all the access to capital financing tools available in California. CalFOR identified opportunities and developed recommendations for leveraging existing...

U.S. Dept. of Agriculture Farm Service Agency created this fact sheet to help beginning, niche and family farm operations understand the Microloan (ML) program. The fact sheet provides information on program overview, eligible uses, application...

Powerpoint covering South Eastern Economic Development (SEED) Corporation's Revolving Loan Fund and other loan programs administered by SEED.

Ohio Third Frontier's program plan and budget for 2012 explains goals, future direction, strategic factors, and focus on technology/innovation financing programs.

Ohio Community Development Corporation's application instructions for their microenterprise business development program.

This chart from the Maryland Dept. of Business & Economic Development provides basic information for every loan-related program offered in the state.

This plan from the Grand Traverse County Economic Development Corporation outlines a revolving loan fund supported by Community Development Block Grant funds. The plan describes the policies that will govern the RLF's loans, which will include...

Center for Global Development research fellow David Roodman and Uzma Qureshi analyze microfinance institutions (MFIs) as businesses, asking how some succeed in covering costs, earning returns, attracting capital, and scaling up. Key microfinance...

The microenterprise Fund for Innovation, Effectiveness, Learning and Dissemination (FIELD) began in 1998 to identify, develop and disseminate best practices in the microenterprise field, and to publicize the value of microenterprise as an...