Community, CDFI and social finance
50 answers. Written by the celerfunding.com editorial team from official sources. Each answer shows where it applies and when its sources were read.
What is a CDFI and who can borrow from one?
A CDFI is a mission-driven financial institution that provides financing in communities that are often underserved. Products and borrowers vary by institution.
CDFIs finance small businesses and nonprofit organizations, in rural, urban and Native communities. Each lender sets its own geography, mission focus, sector and credit tests, and some serve only a city, a few counties or a state.
You borrow from the CDFI directly. Treasury's CDFI Fund does not finance individual applicants' projects. CDFI certification is not itself a grant to you.
The OFN CDFI locator is a place to start, but it does not list every CDFI.
Mission-aligned lending still has to be repaid and is underwritten. Nothing here predicts approval.
Find a CDFI that serves your location, then contact it and ask about eligibility and terms.
Next: OFN CDFI locator
Sources (read 2026-10-31): Treasury CDFI Fund FAQ; OFN CDFI locator
Can a Canadian charity borrow from the Social Finance Fund directly?
Not through a direct federal application. The Social Finance Fund supplies repayable investment capital, and it reaches social purpose organizations through intermediaries.
The federal government does not generally invest directly in social purpose organizations. Fund managers invest through intermediaries, with rare direct investments. Charities, nonprofits, social enterprises and cooperatives are among the organizations the fund aims to serve. Intermediaries mentioned in official material include Boann, Realize Capital Partners and CAP Finance, which focuses on Quebec.
Each intermediary sets its own investee criteria, terms and underwriting. This is repayable capital meant to produce impact and a financial return, so it is not an operating grant.
No specific intermediary's capacity or intake was checked. Start with the official fund page, identify relevant intermediaries, then ask them directly.
Next: Nonprofit funding
Sources (read 2026-10-31): Canada Social Finance Fund; design
How do I find a CDFI near me using Treasury's resources?
Use Treasury's certified CDFI list and award database, then check what each lender offers. The CDFI Fund says you can sort a list of certified CDFIs, or search its award database by state and by the CDFI Program, and open an awardee's profile to see the loans it makes.
If nothing is close, look at neighbouring areas. Some CDFIs serve adjacent counties or a whole state. The OFN locator is another place to start, but it does not list every CDFI.
Each lender sets its own geography, products and credit tests. Contact the lender and ask whether your location, sector and project fit. Finding a CDFI nearby does not mean you will be approved. This is information on where to look, not a lending service.
Next: Treasury CDFI Fund FAQ
Related: Does CDFI certification mean a CDFI gives me free money?
Sources (read 2026-11-01): Treasury CDFI Fund FAQ; OFN CDFI locator
What kinds of institutions can be CDFIs?
CDFIs can be banks, credit unions, loan funds or venture capital funds. What they share is a primary mission of serving low-income communities and people who lack access to financing.
Treasury's certification page splits them into regulated institutions, such as community development banks and credit unions, and non-regulated ones, such as loan funds and venture capital funds. The CDFI Fund FAQ lists the same four types.
The type matters to you in practice. A credit union may lend to its members, while a loan fund may lend to businesses or nonprofits in a defined area. Ask each lender who it serves and what it finances.
The label does not set rates or approve a loan. Each institution still underwrites its own borrowers.
Next: US funding resources
Related: How do I find a CDFI near me using Treasury's resources?; What does an organization have to show to become a certified CDFI?
Sources (read 2026-11-01): Treasury CDFI Fund FAQ; CDFI certification
What does an organization have to show to become a certified CDFI?
An applicant must show it is a legal entity with a primary mission of community development, and that it is a financing entity. It must also serve one or more target markets, offer development services alongside financing, and stay accountable to that market.
It must be a non-government entity not controlled by a government body, though Tribal governments are excluded from that limit.
Regulated and non-regulated institutions can both apply, and applications are accepted on a rolling basis, according to the CDFI Fund's certification page.
This question is for organizations that lend, not for borrowers. If you only want to borrow, you do not certify; you contact a certified CDFI. Certification is a status that Treasury reviews. Preparing an application is detailed work, so read the CDFI Fund materials first.
Next: CDFI certification page
Related: What kinds of institutions can be CDFIs?; Does CDFI certification mean a CDFI gives me free money?
Sources (read 2026-11-01): CDFI certification
Does CDFI certification mean a CDFI gives me free money?
No. Certification does not provide money to the CDFI or to you as a borrower.
According to the CDFI Fund, certification makes a CDFI eligible to apply for awards under CDFI Fund programs. Those awards can support activities such as mortgage lending, flexible underwriting for community facilities and commercial loans in low-income areas. The CDFI, not the Treasury, then decides whom to lend to.
When a CDFI lends to you, it is still a loan with terms you must repay. Treasury's CDFI Fund does not lend to individuals or fund individual projects.
If a seller offers grants because a lender is CDFI-certified, treat that as a warning sign and verify with the lender directly. A borrower should ask for the loan's interest rate, fees, term and collateral in writing.
Next: US funding resources
Related: How do I find a CDFI near me using Treasury's resources?; Can I apply to the CDFI Fund for my own business loan?
Sources (read 2026-11-01): Treasury CDFI Fund FAQ; CDFI certification
Can I apply to the CDFI Fund for my own business loan?
No. The CDFI Fund does not lend to individuals or fund specific projects. It finances CDFIs, and the CDFIs lend to people such as first-time homebuyers and small business owners.
To reach that money, you work with a certified CDFI. Search Treasury's certified list or award database, then contact a lender that serves your area and sector.
A CDFI will ask about your business, repayment ability and what you want to finance, like any other lender. Its mission may shape who it serves, but the loan is still underwritten.
If a website says it can place your application with the CDFI Fund for a fee, be careful and check the CDFI Fund's own pages first.
Next: US funding resources
Related: How do I find a CDFI near me using Treasury's resources?; Does CDFI certification mean a CDFI gives me free money?
Sources (read 2026-11-01): Treasury CDFI Fund FAQ
Can Native American or Native Hawaiian business owners use CDFI resources?
Possibly. The CDFI Fund FAQ says Native American, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian individuals and businesses may want to search its award database for NACA Program awardees.
That is a pointer on where to look, not a statement that any lender will finance you. Each awardee decides its own service area, products and credit tests, so contact the lender and ask. Some lenders serve a reservation, a region or a state.
Regular certified CDFIs may also serve Native communities, since CDFIs finance borrowers in rural, urban and Native areas.
If you are a Tribal business or a Tribal government, ask the lender about any rules that apply to your structure before preparing documents.
Next: US funding resources
Related: How do I find a CDFI near me using Treasury's resources?; Can I apply to the CDFI Fund for my own business loan?
Sources (read 2026-11-01): Treasury CDFI Fund FAQ; OFN CDFI locator
What is the New Markets Tax Credit and how does it relate to my project?
The New Markets Tax Credit is a federal tax credit that draws private investment into low-income, distressed communities. Investors receive the credit in exchange for equity investments in Community Development Entities, or CDEs, which are certified by the CDFI Fund.
The credit equals 39% of the original investment, claimed over seven years. It is a tax incentive for investors, not a grant to your project.
Businesses and nonprofits can benefit when a CDE uses its allocation to provide financing for a project, which may be on different terms from standard financing. The page describes manufacturing, office, retail and affordable housing projects.
If your project is in a low-income area, ask a CDE serving your area whether NMTC financing could fit. NMTC deals are complex, so get professional tax and legal advice.
Next: US funding resources
Related: Can my business apply directly for the New Markets Tax Credit?; Is the New Markets Tax Credit allocation round open now?
Sources (read 2026-11-01): New Markets Tax Credit Program
Can my business apply directly for the New Markets Tax Credit?
No. Businesses should not apply for CDE certification or for the credit itself. The CDFI Fund says businesses seeking NMTC-enhanced financing should contact a Community Development Entity that serves their area.
CDE certification is meant for community development financing intermediaries, not for businesses. The CDFI Fund offers an NMTC Awardee States Served map to help locate CDEs.
A CDE decides which projects it will finance and on what terms. Contact several, explain your project and location, and ask what they look for. Contact does not mean a deal will happen.
Because NMTC structures involve tax rules and multiple parties, involve a lawyer and an accountant early. This is information on how the route works, not tax or legal advice.
Next: US funding resources
Related: What is the New Markets Tax Credit and how does it relate to my project?; Is the New Markets Tax Credit allocation round open now?
Sources (read 2026-11-01): New Markets Tax Credit Program
Is the New Markets Tax Credit allocation round open now?
As of 1 November 2026, the CDFI Fund page lists an application window of September 17 to November 10, 2026, with announcements expected in fall 2027. That round is for organizations seeking CDE allocations, not for businesses or nonprofits seeking project financing.
If you run a project rather than a financing intermediary, you do not use this window. You contact CDEs that already hold allocations.
Dates can change, and a round that is open for CDEs says nothing about whether any CDE has remaining funds for your project. Check the CDFI Fund page for the current status before relying on these dates.
Next: CDFI Fund NMTC page
Related: What is the New Markets Tax Credit and how does it relate to my project?; Can my business apply directly for the New Markets Tax Credit?
Sources (read 2026-11-01): New Markets Tax Credit Program
What are Opportunity Zones, and are they funding for my business?
Opportunity Zones are a tax incentive for investors, not funding paid to a business. They were created by the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act to encourage investment in low-income communities in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and five territories.
Investors put money into Qualified Opportunity Funds, which invest in the zones. In return, investors can temporarily defer tax on eligible gains. The IRS page describes the incentive as a tax deferral, which is neither a grant nor a loan.
A business in a zone may attract investors, but being located there does not entitle it to money. If you want to raise capital this way, you would need a fund or investor and professional tax advice. Funds must meet eligibility and filing requirements.
Next: US funding resources
Related: Is an Opportunity Zone benefit a grant or a loan to my company?; How are Opportunity Zones chosen, and where are they?
Sources (read 2026-11-01): Opportunity Zones
Is an Opportunity Zone benefit a grant or a loan to my company?
Neither. The IRS describes Opportunity Zones as a tax incentive that lets investors temporarily defer tax on eligible gains when they invest through a Qualified Opportunity Fund.
The incentive works at the investor level. A company might raise equity from a fund, but the zone itself does not lend or give money to the company, and nothing in the IRS page promises that a fund will invest.
If an investor takes an ownership stake, you give up some ownership and control, so compare it with other funding using the debt-versus-equity guidance on this site.
Tax benefits depend on the investor's situation and on the fund meeting its requirements. Ask a tax adviser before relying on them in a plan.
Next: US funding resources
Related: What are Opportunity Zones, and are they funding for my business?; How are Opportunity Zones chosen, and where are they?
Sources (read 2026-11-01): Opportunity Zones
How are Opportunity Zones chosen, and where are they?
Opportunity Zones are defined by population census tracts. States nominated low-income communities and certain neighbouring areas, and the Treasury Department certified those nominations.
Zones exist in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and five U.S. territories. Whether a particular address sits in a zone depends on its census tract, so check a tract-level source rather than guessing from the neighbourhood name.
Being in a zone does not give a business any payment. The benefit is a tax incentive for investors in Qualified Opportunity Funds. If a zone location matters to your plan, confirm it on an official map and speak with a tax adviser.
Next: US funding resources
Related: What are Opportunity Zones, and are they funding for my business?; Is an Opportunity Zone benefit a grant or a loan to my company?
Sources (read 2026-11-01): Opportunity Zones
What is Regulation Crowdfunding and can my US company use it to raise money from many small investors?
Regulation Crowdfunding lets an eligible US company raise money from many investors through an SEC-registered online platform, within set limits. It is a securities offering, not donation crowdfunding.
The company files an offering statement on Form C and must make required disclosures. It must run the offering through one registered intermediary, which can be a broker-dealer or a funding portal.
Some companies cannot use it, such as non-US companies. The SEC issuer guidance page explains the rules.
Because investors may lose money and securities law applies, get a securities lawyer before starting. This is general information about how the route works, not legal advice, and no outcome is predicted.
Next: SEC Regulation Crowdfunding guidance
Related: How much can a company raise under Regulation Crowdfunding?; Can I run a Regulation Crowdfunding raise on my own website?; What forms and reports does a Regulation Crowdfunding issuer have to file?
Sources (read 2026-11-01): SEC issuer guidance
How much can a company raise under Regulation Crowdfunding?
An issuer may raise up to $5 million in any 12-month period under Regulation Crowdfunding, according to the SEC page as read on 1 November 2026.
The total includes the issuer's prior crowdfunding sales, and those of affiliated entities and predecessors, plus the current offering. Sales in other exempt offerings do not count toward this cap.
That is a ceiling, not a target. Many offerings raise less, and nothing in the rules suggests a company will reach the limit. The SEC can change rules, so confirm the current figure on the SEC page before planning.
A securities lawyer should confirm how the cap applies to your company and any related entities.
Next: SEC Regulation Crowdfunding guidance
Related: What is Regulation Crowdfunding and can my US company use it to raise money from many small investors?; Can I run a Regulation Crowdfunding raise on my own website?
Sources (read 2026-11-01): SEC issuer guidance
Can I run a Regulation Crowdfunding raise on my own website?
No. A Regulation Crowdfunding offering must run exclusively through one online platform operated by an intermediary registered with both the SEC and FINRA, either a broker-dealer or a funding portal.
You can share the link on your own site or social media, but the offering itself sits on the platform. The issuer may rely on the intermediary to check that investors stay within their limits, unless the issuer knows an investor would exceed them.
Compare platforms for fees, investor reach and requirements. Promotion rules also apply to securities offerings, so a securities lawyer should review your marketing before you publish it.
Donation or rewards crowdfunding is different and follows different rules.
Next: SEC Regulation Crowdfunding guidance
Related: What is Regulation Crowdfunding and can my US company use it to raise money from many small investors?; How much can a company raise under Regulation Crowdfunding?
Sources (read 2026-11-01): SEC issuer guidance
What forms and reports does a Regulation Crowdfunding issuer have to file?
The issuer files its offering statement on Form C electronically on EDGAR and gives it to the intermediary. Ongoing filings include Form C-U for progress updates, Form C/A for amendments and Form C-AR for annual reports, which are due within 120 days after fiscal year-end.
Required disclosures cover officers, directors and owners of 20% or more, the business and use of proceeds, the offering price and target amount, related-party transactions and financial condition.
Skipping annual reports can bar a company from later use of the exemption, since having missed required reports in the prior two years is listed as a disqualifier. Plan for ongoing compliance cost, not just the raise. Ask a securities lawyer which filings apply to you.
Next: SEC Regulation Crowdfunding guidance
Related: What is Regulation Crowdfunding and can my US company use it to raise money from many small investors?; Which companies cannot use Regulation Crowdfunding?
Sources (read 2026-11-01): SEC issuer guidance
Which companies cannot use Regulation Crowdfunding?
Ineligible issuers include non-US companies, Exchange Act reporting companies, certain investment companies and companies subject to the Regulation Crowdfunding disqualification rules. Companies that missed required annual reports in the prior two years are also out, as are companies with no specific business plan or planning a merger with an unidentified company.
This list comes from the SEC guidance page as read on 1 November 2026 and may not be complete for your facts. Eligibility turns on details such as ownership and past conduct.
If you are a Canadian company, the page's non-US exclusion matters, and Canada has its own securities rules. A securities lawyer in the relevant country should check before you plan a raise.
Next: SEC Regulation Crowdfunding guidance
Related: What is Regulation Crowdfunding and can my US company use it to raise money from many small investors?; Do I need audited financial statements to raise money through Regulation Crowdfunding?
Sources (read 2026-11-01): SEC issuer guidance
Do I need audited financial statements to raise money through Regulation Crowdfunding?
It depends on how much you raise. The SEC says financial statement requirements increase with the amount raised, ranging from certified statements for smaller offerings to audited statements for larger ones.
The guidance page does not set out the exact dollar thresholds in the text read for this answer, so confirm them in the current SEC rules or with a securities lawyer before budgeting.
Issuers also need to disclose their financial condition and file annual reports. Plan for accountant fees early, as preparing statements can take time.
This is general information on the mechanism, not advice, and rules can change.
Next: SEC Regulation Crowdfunding guidance
Related: What is Regulation Crowdfunding and can my US company use it to raise money from many small investors?; What forms and reports does a Regulation Crowdfunding issuer have to file?
Sources (read 2026-11-01): SEC issuer guidance
Can a nonprofit or charity use Regulation Crowdfunding to raise money?
The rule text does not say a nonprofit can or cannot use Regulation Crowdfunding, so ask securities counsel before planning on it. The SEC rule excludes certain issuers: companies not organized under a US state or territory's law, companies that already file Exchange Act reports, investment companies, disqualified issuers, issuers that skipped required annual reports after an earlier raise, and issuers with no specific business plan. Nonprofits and charities are not named in that list.
That silence is not approval. Regulation Crowdfunding covers selling securities to investors. A charity asking for gifts is seeking donations, which are not investments, and that is a different route with different duties.
Before choosing a path, ask a securities lawyer whether your entity could issue securities at all and what your state's nonprofit law says. This is general information, not legal advice. CELER does not arrange crowdfunding offerings.
Next: Community finance answers
Related: Which companies cannot use Regulation Crowdfunding?; What is Regulation Crowdfunding and can my US company use it to raise money from many small investors?
Sources (read 2026-11-01): 17 CFR 227.100 Crowdfunding exemption and requirements
Are donations on a crowdfunding page tax deductible?
Usually not. The FTC says donations to individuals are not tax deductible, even if the recipient plans to pass the money to a charity.
To claim a deduction, donate to an organization registered with the IRS as a charity, and check its status in the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search tool. A campaign page run by an individual or business is generally not that.
If you are a charity raising funds, collect gifts in your own name so donors can receive proper receipts. If you are a donor, ask the organizer how funds will be used.
This is U.S. information; Canadian receipting follows CRA rules. Tax treatment depends on your facts, so ask an adviser.
Next: Nonprofit funding
Related: Who controls the money raised on a crowdfunding site?; What are the red flags of a fake or risky crowdfunding campaign?
Sources (read 2026-11-01): Donating through crowdfunding and fundraising platforms
Who controls the money raised on a crowdfunding site?
The campaign organizer controls the money. The FTC says funds go to the organizer, who may not be closely connected to the cause and who controls how the money is spent. The organizer may keep a fee or fail to pass the money on.
Each platform has its own rules, including how much it keeps in fees and when it releases funds. Read those before you start a campaign or give to one.
For a charity, a campaign run by someone else is not the same as a gift to the charity. Ask for a written agreement on who receives funds, and when.
To reduce risk, give through the charity's own website. This is consumer information, not legal advice.
Next: Nonprofit funding
Related: Are donations on a crowdfunding page tax deductible?; What are the red flags of a fake or risky crowdfunding campaign?
Sources (read 2026-11-01): Donating through crowdfunding and fundraising platforms
What are the red flags of a fake or risky crowdfunding campaign?
The FTC lists several warning signs. Campaign photos that appear under other campaigns or other names suggest stolen images. Business or invention campaigns with vague timelines, no working prototype or no clear refund policy are risky. Medical treatments promoted without evidence that they are safe or tested are another. Disaster or tragedy appeals you cannot verify also deserve caution.
Safer steps: give to campaigns started by people you know and trust, verify requests with the friend who shared them, or donate directly through a charity's own website.
If you run a campaign, being specific about timelines and refunds helps backers trust you. Report suspected fraud to the platform and the authorities.
Next: Funding safety
Related: Are donations on a crowdfunding page tax deductible?; Who controls the money raised on a crowdfunding site?
Sources (read 2026-11-01): Donating through crowdfunding and fundraising platforms
If I back a product on a crowdfunding site, am I buying it or investing?
Usually you are helping fund production, not buying a finished product. The FTC warns that backing a business or invention campaign does not guarantee delivery, and the project may never be completed.
Before you back it, ask about refunds if the project fails, ask for a production schedule and look for evidence of a real prototype. Vague timelines are a warning.
Rewards campaigns are not the same as investment crowdfunding. You normally do not get an ownership stake, and securities rules for equity raises do not apply in the same way.
If you are the creator, set clear timelines and refund terms and tell backers the truth about delays.
Next: Funding safety
Related: Are donations on a crowdfunding page tax deductible?; What are the red flags of a fake or risky crowdfunding campaign?
Sources (read 2026-11-01): Donating through crowdfunding and fundraising platforms
Can a charity accept donations through an individual's personal crowdfunding page?
Usually it is risky, because the money goes to the page owner, not the charity, unless the charity controls the arrangement. In the US, the FTC says money raised on a crowdfunding campaign goes to the campaign organizer, and donations to individuals are not tax deductible. A personal page is therefore not automatically a gift to your charity.
In Canada, the CRA fundraising guidance says a registered charity remains responsible for anyone fundraising on its behalf, and that improper donation receipts are contrary to the Income Tax Act. Whether the charity or the third party handles receipts is not spelled out in the part read, so do not assume.
Safer steps: have the charity open or approve the campaign, route funds straight to the charity's account, and put the arrangement in writing. Ask the CRA, the IRS or an adviser before issuing receipts. This is information only.
Next: Nonprofit funding resources
Related: Who controls the money raised on a crowdfunding site?; What should a Canadian charity do when a volunteer or outside group fundraises in its name?
Sources (read 2026-11-01): Donating through crowdfunding and fundraising platforms; CRA: fundraising by registered charities
What does a Community Futures office offer rural entrepreneurs in Canada?
A Community Futures office offers business loans, entrepreneurship training, help with planning and forecasting, and one-on-one coaching. The Government of Canada's Pacific region page describes Community Futures British Columbia and its 34 independent member offices as non-profit organizations funded by PacifiCan.
They support small and medium-sized businesses in rural and remote communities. Services and funding differ by region, and other parts of Canada have their own regional development agency and local offices.
The page does not state loan limits, so ask your local office about amounts, rates and eligibility. A local office decides on its own loans, so nothing here predicts approval.
Next: Canada funding resources
Related: How do I find a Community Futures office in British Columbia?; Who do Community Futures offices serve?
Sources (read 2026-11-01): Support for rural and remote entrepreneurs
How do I find a Community Futures office in British Columbia?
Use the office finder on the Community Futures website, communityfutures.ca. The Government of Canada's Pacific region page says Community Futures British Columbia has 34 independent member offices serving rural and remote communities.
Contact the office that covers your community and ask about loans, training and coaching. Each office is independent and may set its own conditions.
Outside British Columbia, the program is delivered through other regional development agencies and local offices. Check the federal regional directory on this site for yours.
Contacting an office is free of commitment, but there is no assurance of a loan.
Next: Canada funding resources
Related: What does a Community Futures office offer rural entrepreneurs in Canada?; Who do Community Futures offices serve?
Sources (read 2026-11-01): Support for rural and remote entrepreneurs
Who do Community Futures offices serve?
They serve small and medium-sized business owners and entrepreneurs in rural or remote communities. The Pacific region page names entrepreneurs with disabilities, Indigenous entrepreneurs, women business owners and youth entrepreneurs among those supported.
The page describes British Columbia. Other regions may have different focus, geography and rules, so read your own regional page.
Being in a named group is not an entitlement. Each office decides on loans using its own credit tests, and offices have limited funds.
Check the map of your area first, because many urban addresses fall outside rural mandates. Ask the office whether your location and business type qualify.
Next: Canada funding resources
Related: What does a Community Futures office offer rural entrepreneurs in Canada?; How do I find a Community Futures office in British Columbia?
Sources (read 2026-11-01): Support for rural and remote entrepreneurs
What is a program-related investment and how does it differ from a grant?
A program-related investment is a way for a private foundation to pursue its charitable goals through an investment instead of a grant. The IRS test is mainly about purpose: the investment's primary purpose must advance the foundation's exempt purposes, and earning income cannot be a significant reason for making it.
PRIs can be loans, sometimes low-interest or interest-free, equity stakes, or credit enhancement. A loan must be repaid, so it is not a grant.
If you hope for a PRI, approach foundations that say they make them and explain how your work advances their mission. Not every foundation does PRIs.
PRI rules are a matter of US private foundation law, so legal advice is wise.
Next: Nonprofit funding
Related: Can a for-profit small business receive a program-related investment?; Can a foundation lend to a nonprofit at low or no interest?
Sources (read 2026-11-01): IRS program-related investments
Can a for-profit small business receive a program-related investment?
Yes, in some cases. The IRS says recipients can be individuals, tax-exempt organizations or for-profit businesses. They do not have to belong to a charitable class if the investment furthers an exempt purpose.
The IRS gives examples such as small businesses owned by members of disadvantaged groups where conventional credit is hard to obtain, and businesses in low-income areas that create jobs for local residents.
The test is the foundation's mission and the terms, not the business alone. A foundation decides whom to fund and many do not make PRIs at all.
If you approach a foundation, be clear on how repayment will work, because PRIs are investments rather than gifts.
Next: Nonprofit funding
Related: What is a program-related investment and how does it differ from a grant?; Can a foundation lend to a nonprofit at low or no interest?
Sources (read 2026-11-01): IRS program-related investments
Can a foundation lend to a nonprofit at low or no interest?
A private foundation can make a program-related investment that takes the form of a loan, sometimes low-interest or interest-free, if it meets the IRS tests. The primary purpose must be to advance the foundation's exempt purposes and income production cannot be a significant reason.
Other forms include equity stakes and credit enhancement. A high potential return does not automatically rule out PRI status, but a purely profit-driven investor would not accept the same terms.
Such a loan still must be repaid unless the foundation agrees otherwise in the documents. Read the loan terms, including security and default.
Foundations set their own policies, and many give only grants. Check each foundation's guidelines before you ask.
Next: Nonprofit funding
Related: What is a program-related investment and how does it differ from a grant?; Can a for-profit small business receive a program-related investment?
Sources (read 2026-11-01): IRS program-related investments
What is the State Small Business Credit Initiative?
SSBCI is a Treasury program of nearly $10 billion meant to help small businesses and entrepreneurs get capital and technical assistance. Treasury oversees it, but the Capital Program money goes to states, the District of Columbia, territories and Tribal governments, which design their own programs.
Treasury expects it to draw up to $10 of private investment for each $1 of SSBCI Capital Program funding.
Because jurisdictions design the offerings, what you can get depends on where you are. Some programs may not be open to your type of business, and nothing here is a blanket entitlement.
Start with the Treasury page's lists of programs and contacts for your state.
Next: US funding resources
Related: How does a small business access SSBCI money?; Does SSBCI provide grants?; Is SSBCI still active, and are applications open?
Sources (read 2026-11-01): Treasury SSBCI
How does a small business access SSBCI money?
You usually do not apply to Treasury. The SSBCI page does not describe a national application process. Instead it organizes information by visitor type, with sections for small businesses, participating jurisdictions and Tribal governments.
A business can review the capital program summaries and the list of programs and contacts to find an offering in its state. General questions can go to the SSBCI information address listed on the Treasury page.
Programs are run by each jurisdiction and its participating providers, so terms, eligibility and remaining funds vary and may be limited.
Contact the state program, ask whether your business type and purpose are covered and what documents it wants.
Next: US funding resources
Related: What is the State Small Business Credit Initiative?; Does SSBCI provide grants?
Sources (read 2026-11-01): Treasury SSBCI
Does SSBCI provide grants?
The Treasury page lists SSBCI products as equity or venture capital, loan participation, loan guarantees, collateral support and capital access programs. It does not describe them as direct business grants.
Loans must be repaid, and guarantees or collateral support help a lender make a loan rather than paying you. Equity gives investors an ownership share.
Because each state designs its own programs, ask your state contact what it offers. Do not assume any program is free money.
If a website promises SSBCI grants for a fee, be careful and check the Treasury page and your state program directly.
Next: Funding safety
Related: What is the State Small Business Credit Initiative?; How does a small business access SSBCI money?
Sources (read 2026-11-01): Treasury SSBCI
Is SSBCI still active, and are applications open?
As of 1 November 2026, the Treasury page hosts SSBCI 2.0 reports and rules and does not list a current application deadline, so SSBCI 2.0 appears to be the current phase. The page does not say whether any given state still has money.
Because jurisdictions run the programs, availability depends on your state or Tribal program. Some may be fully committed and some may have closed intake.
Contact your jurisdiction's program and ask whether it is open, what it funds and how to apply. Do not rely on this answer for dates.
Check the Treasury page again before acting, since status can change.
Next: US funding resources
Related: What is the State Small Business Credit Initiative?; How does a small business access SSBCI money?
Sources (read 2026-11-01): Treasury SSBCI
Is money from Canada's Social Finance Fund a grant, and who receives it?
No, the money is repayable investment capital, not grants. The Social Finance Fund is a $755 million federal initiative launched in spring 2023 to grow Canada's social finance market.
It serves social purpose organizations, including charities, non-profits, social enterprises and co-operatives. Capital reaches them through intermediaries: the Fund supplies repayable capital to social finance intermediaries, which invest in social purpose organizations.
That means you would approach an intermediary rather than apply to the federal government. Each intermediary sets its own terms and focus.
The Fund aims to attract private investors and produce financial returns, so expect investment-style terms. Eligibility for any one organization is not guaranteed.
Next: Nonprofit funding
Related: What kinds of institutions can be CDFIs?; Who manages the Social Finance Fund's money?; Can a co-operative or social enterprise get Social Finance Fund capital?
Sources (read 2026-11-01): Canada Social Finance Fund
Who manages the Social Finance Fund's money?
Three fund managers oversee the Fund's money: Boann Social Impact, Realize Capital Partners and Le Fonds de finance sociale CAP Finance, which operates in Quebec. According to the federal page, they will invest up to $400 million across Canada over the first five years.
They invest in social finance intermediaries, which then make investments in social purpose organizations. An organization seeking capital therefore deals with an intermediary, not the federal government.
Intermediary lists and priorities can change. Contact the managers or intermediaries to ask what they fund and whether your organization fits.
Next: Nonprofit funding
Related: Is money from Canada's Social Finance Fund a grant, and who receives it?; Can a co-operative or social enterprise get Social Finance Fund capital?
Sources (read 2026-11-01): Canada Social Finance Fund
Can a co-operative or social enterprise get Social Finance Fund capital?
Possibly through an intermediary. The federal page says the Fund serves social purpose organizations, which include charities, non-profits, social enterprises and co-operatives.
The Fund's capital goes to social finance intermediaries, which decide whom to invest in. Being named as an eligible type does not mean any particular co-op or social enterprise will qualify.
Intermediaries may look at your mission, financial position and repayment ability, since the capital is repayable.
Contact intermediaries linked to the fund managers, ask about their criteria and prepare your financials. This is information, not an offer, and no outcome is predicted.
Next: Nonprofit funding
Related: Is money from Canada's Social Finance Fund a grant, and who receives it?; Who manages the Social Finance Fund's money?
Sources (read 2026-11-01): Canada Social Finance Fund
Can a nonprofit get a bridge loan to cover the gap before a grant arrives?
Some nonprofit lenders offer this. For example, Propel Nonprofits, a certified CDFI, lists working capital loans that can include lines of credit for reimbursing contracts and short-term bridge financing for the gap before a committed grant or contract is received.
Propel serves 501(c)(3) nonprofits in Minnesota and the adjacent states of Wisconsin, Iowa, North Dakota and South Dakota, plus Native nations in that area. Other lenders have other service areas.
A bridge loan is still a loan with interest and a repayment date. Lenders will want evidence that the grant or contract is committed. Ask your funder whether it permits you to borrow against its award.
This is one example, not a recommendation or promise.
Next: Nonprofit funding
Related: What size microloans do some nonprofit CDFIs make to small nonprofits?; Can a nonprofit borrow from a CDFI to buy or renovate a building?
Sources (read 2026-11-01): Propel lending
What size microloans do some nonprofit CDFIs make to small nonprofits?
Amounts vary by lender. As one example, Propel Nonprofits lists microloans of $5,000 to $50,000 with a maximum repayment period of three years, aimed at smaller or emerging nonprofits, those in leadership change, or those recovering from financial difficulty.
Other nonprofit lenders may use different sizes and terms, and they may serve only a defined area. Propel's service area is Minnesota and adjacent states.
A microloan must be repaid with interest. Ask the lender about rates, fees, collateral and what it needs to see, such as budgets and financial statements.
Compare at least two lenders where possible.
Next: Nonprofit funding
Related: Can a nonprofit get a bridge loan to cover the gap before a grant arrives?; Can a nonprofit borrow from a CDFI to buy or renovate a building?
Sources (read 2026-11-01): Propel lending
Can a nonprofit borrow from a CDFI to buy or renovate a building?
Some CDFIs make community facility loans for this. Propel Nonprofits, for example, lists community facility loans typically from $50,000 to $2 million for repairs or equipment, bridge loans for capital campaigns, and longer-term mortgages for purchase, renovation or construction.
It also runs a Community Asset Builder Program supporting BIPOC-led nonprofits to acquire or renovate their own facilities, and feasibility grants may be available for planning.
These loans must be repaid, and terms vary from a few months up to 10 years at Propel. Propel serves Minnesota and nearby states; other lenders cover other areas.
Ask any lender what it needs before you apply, and have your board review the debt.
Next: Nonprofit funding
Related: Can a nonprofit get a bridge loan to cover the gap before a grant arrives?; What size microloans do some nonprofit CDFIs make to small nonprofits?
Sources (read 2026-11-01): Propel lending
Where can I find provincial or territorial help to start a co-operative in Canada?
Most provinces and territories have a co-operative association or council that offers start-up guidance, according to the federal co-operatives page. Examples it lists include the BC Co-op Association, Alberta Community and Co-operative Association, Saskatchewan Co-operative Association, Manitoba Co-operative Association, Ontario Co-operative Association, the Conseil québécois de la coopération et de la mutualité in Quebec, and councils in Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador. Arctic Co-operatives Ltd covers the Arctic region.
These groups also give province-specific incorporation information, which matters because rules differ. For national support the page lists Co-operatives and Mutuals Canada.
Finding a group does not mean it will fund you. Ask what start-up help it gives, and confirm current contacts, because organizations change. This is information on where to look, not a funding service.
Next: ISED: turning an idea into a co-operative
Related: How are co-operatives financed in Canada?; What are the steps to turn an idea into a co-operative in Canada?
Sources (read 2026-11-01): Turning an idea into a co-operative: steps and resources
Can a CDFI lend to me if a bank turned me down?
Maybe, but a CDFI is not a guaranteed second chance. Treasury's certification page shows what a certified CDFI is. It must have community development as its primary mission, act as a financing entity, primarily serve one or more target markets, offer development services alongside its financing, and stay accountable to its target market. That focus is why some borrowers a bank declines still talk to a CDFI.
A CDFI still has to decide that your project and repayment ability fit its own lending standards and its target market. Those differ by lender.
If a bank declined you, ask the bank why, fix what you can, and contact a CDFI whose area and purpose match yours. Ask what it needs, what it lends for, and what help it offers. Nothing here promises approval. This is information, not a lending service.
Next: CDFI certification, CDFI Fund
Related: What does an organization have to show to become a certified CDFI?; How do I find a CDFI near me using Treasury's resources?
Sources (read 2026-11-01): CDFI certification
What counts as a commercial loan under federal credit union business lending rules?
Under NCUA's rules, a commercial loan is a loan, line of credit or letter of credit made for commercial, industrial, agricultural or professional purposes, not for personal spending. The definition (12 CFR 723.2) says borrowers can be individuals, sole proprietorships, partnerships, corporations or other business enterprises. It also counts unfunded commitments and a credit union's share of loans made by other lenders.
The rules carve out some loans, including loans from corporate credit unions, loans between insured credit unions, loans to credit union service organizations, loans secured by one-to-four family housing, loans fully secured by the lender's shares, loans secured by household vehicles, and PPP loans. Loans are also excluded when the total to a borrower and associated borrowers is under $50,000, after removing any share-secured part.
The text read does not mention nonprofits or say whether a borrower must be a member. Ask the credit union directly.
Next: US funding resources
Related: Can a nonprofit borrow from a CDFI to buy or renovate a building?
Sources (read 2026-11-01): 12 CFR 723.2 Definitions (NCUA commercial loans)
What is the Réseau des SADC et CAE, and how do I find the Community Futures office in Quebec?
The Réseau des SADC et CAE is how Canada.ca lists Quebec's Community Futures organization, shown as "Community Futures / Community Business Development". Canada.ca links to a "find your SADC and CAE" page on the network's site, which is the place to locate your local office.
Community Futures bodies elsewhere in Canada support rural business. For example, Community Futures British Columbia says its member offices offer start-up help and loans and funding for start-ups, growth and acquisitions. Quebec's offices may differ, and I did not read the Quebec network's own services page, so confirm what your office offers and who qualifies.
En bref : consultez la page « Trouvez votre SADC et CAE » du Réseau pour repérer votre bureau, puis demandez ses services, ses conditions et ses délais. Aucune approbation n'est garantie. Information seulement.
Next: Find your SADC and CAE
Related: What does a Community Futures office offer rural entrepreneurs in Canada?; Who do Community Futures offices serve?
Sources (read 2026-11-01): Regional business support directory; Community Futures British Columbia
How are co-operatives financed in Canada?
Co-operatives are financed from several sources, according to the federal co-operatives page: members, outside partners, grants and loans. Co-ops typically raise capital through membership shares, and some also issue investment shares that do not carry extra voting rights. Loans from financial institutions, including credit unions, and grants are common sources.
Surpluses can be reinvested or returned to members as patronage returns. A business plan helps when applying for loans or grants. The page also points to regional development agencies such as ACOA, CED and PrairiesCan, and to the Business Benefits Finder, as places to look for programs.
What you can raise depends on your co-op type, your province's rules and the lender. Check your provincial co-op association before setting up a share offering. This is general information, not legal or financial advice, and no funding is promised.
Next: Canada funding resources
Related: Where can I find provincial or territorial help to start a co-operative in Canada?; What are the steps to turn an idea into a co-operative in Canada?
Sources (read 2026-11-01): Turning an idea into a co-operative: steps and resources
What are the steps to turn an idea into a co-operative in Canada?
The federal co-operatives page describes three stages. First, develop the idea: gather interested people, identify the shared need, and run a pre-feasibility study on the market, local interest and member numbers. If the study is not conclusive, the group stops.
Second, prepare the pre-co-operative: hold an organizing meeting, choose a name and mission, elect a temporary board, begin incorporation (the term "co-operative" has usage rules), analyze finances, write a business plan and sign a declaration of intention.
Third, start up: set the structure, member roles and by-laws, plan operations, financing, recruitment and legal needs, then hold the first general meeting to adopt by-laws and the business plan and elect a permanent board.
Incorporation rules differ by province. Talk to your provincial co-op association before filing. This is general information, not legal advice.
Next: ISED: turning an idea into a co-operative
Related: Where can I find provincial or territorial help to start a co-operative in Canada?; How are co-operatives financed in Canada?
Sources (read 2026-11-01): Turning an idea into a co-operative: steps and resources
What should a Canadian charity do when a volunteer or outside group fundraises in its name?
The charity stays responsible. CRA fundraising guidance says a registered charity must make sure any individual or organization fundraising on its behalf follows the guidance, and illegal fundraising is unacceptable whether the charity or a third party carries it out. Improper donation receipts are contrary to the Income Tax Act.
The guidance also says a charity should use contract rights to review or audit a third party's financial records. It notes that courts have treated contracts giving third-party fundraisers 70% or more of funds raised as contrary to public policy, particularly when the public is not told.
Practical steps: get a written agreement, approve campaign wording, have funds go straight to the charity, keep control of receipts, and keep records. Read the full CRA guidance or ask an adviser, because this is a summary and not legal advice.
Next: Nonprofit funding resources
Related: Can a charity accept donations through an individual's personal crowdfunding page?
Sources (read 2026-11-01): CRA: fundraising by registered charities
What do Indigenous financial institutions in Canada lend for?
Indigenous Financial Institutions deliver funding under the Access to Capital stream of the Aboriginal Entrepreneurship Program, according to Indigenous Services Canada. They support Indigenous small and medium-sized businesses to start, expand or acquire a business, with a non-repayable equity contribution and business services.
The program also gives lenders funds to cover their borrowing and operating costs for lending. The ISC page gives limits of up to $99,999 for individual Indigenous entrepreneurs and up to $250,000 for eligible Indigenous community businesses.
Eligibility varies by institution, so contact your local one. Limits and rules can change, and nothing here promises funding. This is information, not a lending or grant service.
Next: Canada funding resources
Related: Can Native American or Native Hawaiian business owners use CDFI resources?
Sources (read 2026-11-01): ISC
What CELER is and is not. celerfunding.com is operated by Celer Merchants Corporation. We are not a lender, grantmaker, government agency, investment portal or licensed adviser, and we are not an official partner of the programs mentioned here. This page is general information, not legal, tax, investment or credit advice. A CELER enquiry is not an official grant or loan application.