CDFI Funding
Finding funding for your CDFI
Although the cdfa is the trade association for the sector, not primarily a funding body, we have previously partnered with organisations to run grant programmes such as our Capacity Building Fund, and the 2009 CDFI Enterprise support fund, which distributed £150,000 between five CDFIs in partnership with Barclays.
As part of the cdfa’s commitment to support the CDFI sector, we are always looking for new opportunities for funding for our members. Details of future grant programmes will be posted here, and we will let members know via our membership newsletter service.
Current Funding Opportunties
RBS Community Loan Scheme (ongoing)
More details have been released on the Community Loan Scheme announced by RBS at our annual conference. There is a £5m fund for CDFIs and community business who would not usually qualify for a mainstream bank loans.
Social Enterprise Investment Fund (ongoing)
A wholesaler providing loans to CDFIs to grow and develop their business.
RBS Capability programme (ongoing)
This fund is to enhance the capability of CDFIs through undertaking a pre-visit, the performance framework and accessing small grants to respond to recommendations in the corporate report.
This fund is to enhance the capacity of non-bank micro-credit providers/micro-finance institutions; and help them to become sustainable and viable operators in the micro-credit market. It is being operated by EMN.
A fund operated by Community Development Foundation (CDF) has been set up to make investments (grants and loans) of up to £1.5mn, into around 150 areas, investments will span a 10 year period.
A £25 m capital fund where CDFIs may borrow between £500k and £5m from the wholesale fund. Expressions of interested are still being accepted. Register your interest here.
European Regional Development Fund (ongoing)
ERDF supports financial instruments (capital risk funds, local development funds, etc.) to support regional and local development and to foster cooperation between towns and regions
CDFI wholesale lending through Unity Trust Bank (ongoing)
Loans to enable Community Development Financial Institutions to gear up against their existing loan portfolio by providing matched funding via loan finance.
Esmee Fairbairn grants (ongoing)
Funding the charitable activities of organisations that have the ideas and ability to achieve change for the better. Interests include enabling disadvantaged people to participate fully in society.
North West Development Capital Fund (ongoing)
The North West Fund is a £185m evergreen investment fund established to provide debt and equity funding from £50,000 to £2m to small and medium sized enterprises based in, or relocating to, the North West of England.
