
SUPPORTING SMALL BUSINESS and COMMUNITY through COVID-19…
Learn more about all that CIC has been doing to impact the community . . .
COMMUNITY INVESTMENT CORPORATION (CIC) SPOTLIGHT

2020 Copper Cactus Award Winner!

CIC was honored to be selected as the winner of the 2020 Tucson Metro Chamber Copper Cactus Award’s Tucson Electric Power Social Impact Award (revenue up to 2 Million).
Arizona Daily Star - Eviction Prevention
On Thursday, Oct. 1, 2020, CIC shared a press release regarding the distribution of 3.65 million dollars in Eviction Prevention funding on behalf of Pima County. Patty Machelor featured a story on the funding distribution within hours.
Tipping Point with Zach Yentzer
On Thursday, April 2, 2020, Danny Knee was featured on Tipping Point with Zach Yentzer on 1030 am KVOI The Voice to discuss the state of small business during the current economic crisis and what both CIC and the community at large are doing to support. Hear about the critical work of the Community Investment Corp., our emergency microloan and the Tucson Helping Tucson initiative.
CIC works to create impact in Arizona
Our loans and equity financing support businesses and projects with far-reaching community benefits.
We are the administrator for the Pima IDA’s Mortgage Credit Certificates (MCC) program and multiple down payment assistance programs in Tucson and Pima County including HOME and Pima Tucson Homebuyer’s Solution (PTHS).
Our bond compliance program promotes transparency and short-term loans ensure schools have the working capital they need.
Local Success Stories
CIC, Stackhouse, and New Way Home share what there is to know about equity crowdfunding, how it can help businesses addressing community challenges and the Community Investment Corporation’s partnership with WeFunder.
CIC is a Copper Cactus Award Finalist
CIC is humbled and honored to be a finalist for the Tucson Metro Chamber Copper Cactus Awards. We were nominated for the Tucson Electric Power Social Impact Award and invite you to join us for the virtual awards event on Oct. 17, 7-8 p.m.
HFAC Partnership Impact Report
In mid-March, as Arizona began to implement public health and safety measures, our community's small businesses began a long hard uncharted road that was and is difficult to navigate. The journey continues as COVID-19 mitigations are still a critical part of containing this pandemic, but we at CIC would like to take a quick pause to give incredible thanks to those who helped support our emergency response work in the first few months of this crisis.
Meet our Bond Compliance Team
A special message for the start to the 2020 school year CIC’s amazing Bond Compliance Team understands that the start to this school year is like no other. With schools navigating
COVID-19 Emergency Relief Impact Report
In mid-March, as Arizona began to implement public health and safety measures, our community's small businesses began a long hard uncharted road that was and is difficult to navigate. The journey continues as COVID-19 mitigations are still a critical part of containing this pandemic, but we at CIC would like to take a quick pause to give incredible thanks to those who helped support our emergency response work in the first few months of this crisis.
COVID-19 Emergency Loan- Originate Natural Building Materials
“Originate started off 2020 with our 4th best 1st quarter in our 16-year history as a company. Then COVID hit with stay at home orders and our revenue for April and May dropped by almost 50%. That was scary and we were trying to figure out how to navigate uncharted territories. I feel a sense of calm now.” Natasha Winnik, Owner/Founder
COVID-19 Emergency Loan- Sunrise Custom Jewelry & Repair
"The loan from CIC gives me a lot of peace of mind. It is going to keep the boat afloat until people feel like they can come out again." Don Lovett, Owner
COVID-19 Emergency Loan- Michelle L. Coronado, Medical Transcription
"I am thankful for the CIC loan. I applied for three other programs but I never heard back. Having this CIC loan allows me to continue providing needed medical transcription services even though the volume has decreased temporarily because non-emergency visits are down.” Michelle L. Coronado, Medical Transcription
COVID-19 Emergency Loan- Eclipse Clinical Research
"We are forever grateful to CIC for helping during these unprecedented times. Thanks to CIC we were able to pay all of our employees while waiting for PPP and EIDL loans to process. I'd like to send a special thank you to Brian from the Loan Team who was wonderful to work with and kept us updated through every step of the process" Felice Anderson, President
COVID-19 Emergency Loan- Kinetic Arts Tucson
"I'm really grateful for the loan and the part the loan played in helping me survive this pandemic. Not only survive, but thrive! We are not just a dance studio. We work really hard to support artists and marginalized people. Closing was not an option. I fought really hard to get the resources to stay open. We reopen June 1st and thanks to the assistance from CIC, we made it and we will be back….. better than ever!” Breanna Mirae, Owner Kinetic Arts Tucson
Who does our financing serve?
Small Businesses
CIC is committed to helping small businesses in Southern Arizona thrive and succeed by providing access to capital through non-traditional financing resources at competitive interest rates with flexible terms. We believe small businesses have the ability to transform both the people they employ and communities they serve.
Small businesses are often underestimated because of their size, but they play a vital role in job creation and the overall growth of our nation’s economy. According to the Small Business Administration’s Office of Advocacy, small businesses account for 99.7% of U.S. firms, employ over 47.8% of the country’s working population, and employ nearly 1 million Arizonans. These businesses are the backbone of our economy, which is why we provide financing options to ensure their dreams of entrepreneurship come to fruition.
Nonprofits
Nonprofits are essential to every community and in Southern Arizona we are fortunate to be surrounded by a host of organizations that are making a positive impact. Focusing on job creation, income generation and the business needs of our borrowers, our bottom line is Southern Arizona’s bottom line. Many nonprofits struggle to acquire financing through traditional means. Our loan team is proud to serve this sector of our community.
Rural Southern Arizona
CIC’s Rural Lending Program was built on the notion of helping entrepreneurs in rural communities who have been under-served by traditional financial institutions. Our focus is on communities with populations of less than 50,000 and we focus on the following types of applicants:
- Businesses with 10 or fewer full-time employees
- Nonprofits
- Federally-recognized Tribes
- Institutions of higher education
Funding for this program is provided through a combination of funding from the United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development and internal funds.
Schools Across Arizona
Typically, schools rely on state funding and bond issuance proceeds to financially support themselves. Timing gaps between financing needs and payment disbursements can create operational challenges.
CIC offers schools short-term loans to close the timing gap and to support other working capital needs.
Consumers
CIC typically focuses on business lending, but we do extend loans to individuals through a partnership we created with a local credit union. Through our “A Better Loan Experience” (ABLE) Program, staff and clients of our nonprofits partners can apply for loans up to $1,500. This program is part of our effort to fight the predatory lending industry in Arizona. For more information, read about our “A Better Loan Experience” program.

Creating Social Impact With Financing
CIC’s Social Impact Financing programs are dedicated to supporting businesses, nonprofits, and individuals undertaking projects with broader community benefit. We fund projects that many traditional banks will not, and where possible, we aim to give preferential terms, rates, and underwriting evaluation in recognition of the “Good” a given loan will generate.
CIC is actively seeking partnerships with local nonprofit organizations that see ways to offer essential services to their clients via low interest loans and we are seeking donations to expand innovation within our social impact lending program.