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BIPOC

Community Managed Loan Fund

APPLICATIONS ARE NOW OPEN!

INTERESTED IN THE BIPOC LOAN FUND?

ABOUT THIS UNIQUE LOAN

We are shifting decision-making to the black, indigenous, people of color (BIPOC) community about where (geographically), to whom (communities of color underserved by financial institutions and systems), and under what circumstances (measures of risk) capital flows.

This loan fund rose out of a desire of Community Investment Corporation’s (CIC) staff wanting to take concrete and tangible action in the wake of 2020 and ongoing national tragedies and calls for racial equity and justice.

In partnership with BLAX Friday and Startup Tucson.

Once you’ve read through the program details and application process below if you have further questions don’t hesitate to reach out at lending@cictucson.org.

WHAT WE OFFER

PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY

PROGRAM DETAILS

HOW DOES MY APPLICATION GET SCORED?

Here are important factors the BIPOC Loan Committee
will consider when reviewing your application:

  • How and why did you start your business?
  • Is your business successful? Profitable?
  • What have you done to be successful?
  • Will your business have a positive impact? For whom?
  • How are you different (and better) from others in your industry?
  • What problem does your business solve?
  • Who is your typical customer?
  • Who would be your perfect customer?
  • What steps have you taken to discover typical and/or perfect clients?
  • Why are people excited about/supportive of your product/service/business?
  • What community do you serve?
  • How is your business part of the community?
  • How does your business support or give back to the community or local economy? What need is being met by your business?
  • How do you plan to use the loan funds?
  • How will the loan enhance/transform/ grow your business?
  • How will this loan help increase revenue?
  • Why the requested loan amount? How did you determine this amount?
  • What do we need to know about you/your business that REALLY makes you stand out?
  • Is there something we didn’t ask you that we should know about you/your business?
  • What will stay with us after we review your application?

Building a Solution

BIPOC LOAN FUND Committee

Ashley La Russa

Ashley La Russa

Roux Events
Keneshia Raymond

Keneshia Raymond

Startup Tucson, Tucson Urban League
Camila Martins-Bekat

Camila Martins-Bekat

Tucson Electric Power
Terrell Henry

Terrell Henry

Creative Colabs
jasmine

Jasmine Rucker

City of Tucson Ward 1
Isabel Georgelos

Isabel Georgelos

YWCA Women’s Business Center
Leah Sesma-Gay

Lesah Sesma Gay

Casino del Sol

Since January of 2021, the BIPOC CMLF Committee has been meeting monthly to reimagine lending, discuss barriers to capital access for BIPOC communities, and design a transparent process that meets entrepreneurs/business owners where they are with the goal of helping them take the next big step in their business growth. In partnership with BLAX Friday and Startup Tucson.

Thank you to our Inaugural Committee Members, Samuel Brown (Pima County Attorney’s Office) and Marisol Aguirre (REA Consulting).

Want to learn more about the 2021 Loan Recipients?

This project is made possible with the generous support of