CIC’s Social Impact Lending program is dedicated to investing in endeavors which support businesses and projects that have wider community benefits.  The focus of the program is not typical of loan portfolios which attempt to maximize profit.  Rather, in this segment of CIC’s portfolio, while the ability to repay a loan is still important, we are putting a premium on maximizing beneficial social impacts that result from our loans.

Social Impact Loans are small loans that usually receive preferential terms, rates, and underwriting evaluation in recognition of the “Good” that will result from the loan.  CIC is invested in our community and we are willing to invest in businesses and organizations that share our vision and values.

For example, through our partnership with the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona, we currently offer microloans to food entrepreneurs between $500 and $5,000. Building our local food economy means supporting the people who make it happen. We are happy to provide low-cost, short-term loans to local food entrepreneurs whose business goals complement the broader mission of the Community Food Bank.

Rural communities face unique challenges.  Often the industries that that were once the lifeblood of certain areas have moved on, creating a shortage of employment opportunities.  In today’s environment, the economic health of rural areas is dependent on the expansion and creation of businesses.  As new job opportunities arise, residents are more likely to remain in communities and rural areas become more attractive to incoming residents.

CIC fuels the economic growth and recovery of rural Arizona through its Rural Lending Program.  We offer competitive interest rates and flexible terms to meet the needs of borrowers in rural areas.

Nonprofit organizations are essential to every community.  As a nonprofit organization ourselves, our goal at CIC is not about generating dollars, but about becoming a sustainable resource for our community driving positive change.  To do this, we and other nonprofit organizations must think and act like businesses when it comes to finance.  In some cases, that means leveraging loans along with charitable donations to ensure long-term viability.

At CIC, we are proud to offer local nonprofits low-cost loans to fund working capital needs.

Charter schools are a large and growing sector of Arizona’s education system.  Typically, they 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 charter schools short-term loans to close the timing gap and to support other working capital needs.