By: Patrick Davis When Connect2Capital launched in 2018, we envisioned a collaborative community of banks and mission-driven small business lenders that would improve access to capital for entrepreneurs across the country. In a landscape full of payday and predatory lenders, Connect2Capital provides a trusted network of more than 70 lending partners, responsible loan products and an easy-to-access […]
crfprogramdev
International Women’s Day: Celebrating Women-Led Organizations
Women play an essential role in American commerce and business. Today, women-owned enterprises represent nearly a quarter of all businesses in the U.S. This trend toward entrepreneurship accelerated in the 1970s and 1980s when women were increasingly working outside the home. The number of women-owned businesses in the U.S. increased 31 years out of 46 between 1972 and 2018, growing from 402,000 to 12.3 million. We celebrate […]
Black-Run Nonprofits: Pillars of Community Empowerment
When our communities sound calls for justice, public safety, support and education, Black-run nonprofit organizations answer loudly and clearly in cities throughout the country. Here are just two of the Black-led organizations we’ve had the pleasure of working with that are doing great work. Southwest Detroit Community Justice Center Consider how a culture of incarceration […]
Important Debt Relief Payment Updates for SBA 7(a) Borrowers
There have been several amendments to the original Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (the CARES Act) since it was enacted on March 27, 2020. It is important for small business owners to be informed of these changes and understand how they may impact their business. This post briefly summarizes these recent changes and can be used as a guide as […]
New SBA PPP Guidance Prioritizes Businesses and Nonprofits with Fewer Than 20 Employees
On Feb. 22, 2021, the Biden Administration and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) issued new program guidelines for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). The SBA will be implementing a 14-day exclusive PPP loan application period for businesses and nonprofits with fewer than 20 employees. This 14-day period begins Wednesday, Feb. 24 at 9:00 a.m. (ET) and ends on March 9th at […]
Community Reinvestment Fund, USA Names Three to Board of Trustees
MINNEAPOLIS – Feb. 8, 2021 – Community Reinvestment Fund, USA (CRF) – an innovation- and mission-driven nonprofit organization dedicated to economic justice – is pleased to announce the election of three new members to its Board of Trustees. These new members bring experience, technical expertise and diversity to the CRF board, enabling the organization to conceive and implement innovative strategies for ensuring equitable access to capital. Jacqueline D. […]
2021 Holds Optimism, Rewards for Community Development and Economic Justice
By: Frank Altman, founding CRF CEO 2020 revealed that there is still much work to be done to help under-resourced communities battle the devastating impact of COVID-19. But thanks to the hard work and dedication of small business owners, state and local governments, and the financial services industry, new opportunities were revealed in the face of unprecedented challenges. It is against a backdrop […]
CRF’s Anisha Murphy Featured in Minnesota Women’s Press
CRF’s director of community advancement Anisha Murphy, Esq. redoubled her commitment to social justice after the murder of Trayvon Martin. She resolved to use her education and experience as a Black professional woman to change systems for Black and brown communities. Murphy’s story caught the attention of Minnesota Women’s Press in the wake of George Floyd’s killing. Her role […]
Community Reinvestment Fund, USA Receives Record $15 Million Gift from Philanthropist MacKenzie Scott
Grant will provide transformational support to strengthen social and economic justice for under-resourced small business communities MINNEAPOLIS – Dec. 16, 2020 – Community Reinvestment Fund, USA (CRF) – a national non-profit organization with a mission to empower people to improve their lives and strengthen their communities through innovative financial solutions – has received a $15 million grant […]
