Community Investment Corporation (CIC) is proud to be one the community lending organizations selected for the Bright Futures AZ Child Care Microbusiness Investment Grants. The goal of the program is to create more child care slots for Arizona Families by facilitating access to capital and wraparound support for child care providers to help grow their businesses.
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CIC’s Executive Director, Danny Knee, had the opportunity to speak with Nasdaq’s Purpose Communications Specialist, Brittany Greene, about CIC’s work to reshape Arizona’s capital ecosystem through inclusion, innovation, and community trust.
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What does it take to fund a dream? In this episode, CIC Executive Director Danny Knee sits down with Kiva’s Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Associate Reteisha Byrd for a fast-paced conversation breaking down how Kiva works, for both borrowers and lenders.
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CIC’s Executive Director Danny Knee caught up with Alicia Robb – economist, angel investor, and Founder & CEO of Next Wave Impact – ahead of TENWEST to talk about what it really takes to unlock capital for entrepreneurs. Alicia is a globally recognized expert on entrepreneurial finance and will be one of the Keynote speakers at TENWEST.
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Providing between $500 – $25,000 in funding with a 3% interest rate, the Green Loan Fund can be a game-changer for local businesses, according to Local First Outreach and Resource Manager Moises Gomez, as they pay back the loan using savings generated from upgrading wasteful energy and water systems.
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TUCSON, AZ – The Women’s Foundation for the State of Arizona (WFSA) is honored to announce its 2025-2026 FORGE and ember grantee partners, awarding $650,000 in unrestricted funding to 21 grassroots and community-led organizations advancing racial, gender, and economic equity across Arizona. Challenging systemic inequity in our sector, FORGE prioritizes organizations led by Black, Indigenous, and Women of Color (BIWOC) and those serving BIPOC, women, and gender-expansive communities.
Community at the Core of FORGE
The Fund for Racial and Gender Equity (FORGE) is more than a transaction—it is the next iteration of WFSA’s grantmaking that is grounded in sharing power through decision-making. These 21 grants are the culmination of a process intentionally co-created by leaders of organizations that create systemic and lasting change.
Tucson, AZ — The BIPOC Loan Fund and Community Investment Corporation (CIC) are proud to announce the one-year anniversary of BIPOC Entrepreneurs Day, officially proclaimed on May 1, 2024, by City of Tucson Mayor, Regina Romero, the Pima County Board of Supervisors, and recognized as part of the State of Arizona’s Small Business Week. This milestone marks a year of intentional recognition and support for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) business owners who continue to shape Arizona’s economic landscape with resilience and innovation.
To celebrate, the BIPOC Loan Fund, CIC, and Startup Tucson will host Startup Drinks: The BIPOC Entrepreneurs Day Edition, a free community networking event honoring BIPOC entrepreneurship on Thursday, May 22, from 5:30 to 7:30 PM at Slow Body Beer. The event will bring together entrepreneurs, supporters, and the BIPOC Loan Fund Committee for an evening of networking and celebration. Members of Southern Arizona’s BIPOC entrepreneurial community are encouraged to attend, connect, and share their journeys.
Adding to the celebration, on May 1, the BIPOC Loan Fund was honored to receive a $65,000 grant from the Women’s Foundation for the State of Arizona (FORGE Fund). This award places the BIPOC Loan Fund among 21 grassroots and community-led organizations selected for their efforts to advance racial, gender, and economic equity across the state. In challenging systemic inequities in the business and lending sectors, the FORGE Fund prioritizes organizations led by Black, Indigenous, and Women of Color (BIWOC) and those serving BIPOC, women, and gender-expansive communities. Spearheaded by an all-BIPOC Committee, businesses funded by the BIPOC Loan Fund include some of the following:
Since its inception, the BIPOC Loan Fund has provided accessible capital to Arizona-based BIPOC-owned small businesses, addressing generational barriers to entrepreneurship and investment with low-interest loans, character-based applications, and support throughout the financing process.
Join us on May 22 to celebrate the accomplishments of the past year and celebrate the vibrant accomplishments of Arizona’s BIPOC entrepreneurial community.
Event Details:
Slow Body Beer: 831 E 17th St, Tucson, AZ 85719
Thursday, May 22, 2025
5:30 – 7:30 PM
Free to attend. All are welcome. Limited space, registration required. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/startup-drinks-bipoc-entrepreneurs-day-edition-tickets-1316948992889?aff=oddtdtcreator
About CIC
Community Investment Corporation (CIC) is a nonprofit economic development organization that helps underserved communities gain access to the capital and support they need to thrive. Through creative financing and community-centered partnerships, CIC helps build an Arizona where everyone has the opportunity to succeed.
Click here to download the press release.
The collaboration between Community Investment Corporation (CIC) and Vantage West Credit Union is redefining community-focused financial services in Southern Arizona. Together, these organizations are creating a more inclusive, supportive ecosystem for small businesses and underserved communities.
In 2018, Vantage West Credit Union took a pivotal step toward deepening its community impact by becoming a certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI). This designation marked a major shift in the credit union’s mission, underscoring its commitment to serving economically disadvantaged communities across Southern Arizona.
Recognizing the need for strong partnerships to amplify their CDFI efforts, Vantage West sought out Community Investment Corporation, a leader in the community and their innovative micro-lending programs with a proven track record of supporting ‘unbankable’ businesses in Southern Arizona.
CIC’s focus on providing tailored financial solutions to the community but specifically for marginalized communities like minority, women, and veteran-owned businesses aligned perfectly with Vantage West’s goals. The collaboration leveraged CIC’s expertise in micro-lending and Vantage West’s broad financial capabilities, creating a powerful synergy.
As Jon Bruflat, VP of Community Impact at Vantage West, explains, “We’ve worked with CIC for years and have seen the impact of their alternative lending with small businesses that haven’t been able to qualify for traditional loans. Our investment in their work and ongoing partnership supports Arizona’s small business community and is adding economic horsepower to our local economy.”
In 2024, the partnership reached a new level of collaboration. The Office of Economic Opportunity, under Governor Hobbs, announced a grant initiative for community lenders requiring applicants to match the funds allotted with 3 times the amount of the distributed funds. For CIC Tucson, a 501c3 nonprofit, their grant of $350,000 from the State presented an exciting opportunity but also a financial challenge to raise the matching funds before the grant deadline.
Recognizing the potential impact of the grant and CIC’s critical work, Vantage West stepped in, offering a low-interest loan that allowed CIC to secure the matching funds and access the full grant amount. Jon expressed Vantage West’s commitment to CIC’s mission, stating, “We’re dedicated to supporting organizations that make a real difference in our community. CIC’s work aligns perfectly with our values, and we’re proud to be part of this initiative.”
Danny Knee, Executive Director of CIC Tucson, shared his perspective: “The ecosystem we’ve built – goes beyond just providing loans. It’s about offering education, resources, and access to capital for businesses that otherwise wouldn’t qualify for financing. We can’t thank John and the team at Vantage West enough for their generosity, partnership and commitment to serving our community. For Vantage West to recognize the value we bring to the financial services ecosystem and to work to create a pathway to traditional financing for our borrowers is incredibly meaningful.”
The partnership between CIC Tucson and Vantage West Credit Union marks a new era of community-focused lending in Southern Arizona. By combining their strengths and resources, they are not only providing immediate financial support but also building a roadmap for small businesses to grow and succeed. As Arizona’s small business landscape evolves, the collaboration between CIC and Vantage West serves as a model for how innovative partnerships between the banking system and the nonprofit community can drive economic growth and community empowerment.
Community Investment Corporation of Tucson’s stated goal is “to promote economic inclusion for all members of southern Arizona, regardless of socioeconomic status.” They say their work “ensures that more people in our community can buy homes, can access the education they want for their children, and can get the funding they need to start, sustain, and grow their small businesses.” CIC (cictucson.org) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit founded in 1996.
Brandi Szymanski, CIC’s rural lending manager, came to Ajo last week for the Ajo District Chamber of Commerce’s monthly meeting to explain more about the many ways some of CIC’s programs may benefit Ajo area individuals and businesses. She said CIC became aware of the recent border closure and its impact on Ajo area businesses and wanted to step in to help. CIC’s three program areas are housing, entrepreneurship, and education. Szymanski’s focus at last week’s meeting was on entrepreneurship, specifically small business financing.
CIC offers low interest alternative financing for business owners who do not qualify for traditional bank loans. Their small business lending program provides access to capital at competitive interest rates with flexible terms and provides lending solutions for organizations of every size. Small business loans are offered in amounts $500-100,000 for 1-5 years at fixed interest rates of 8-10%. Documents required during the application process include establishing a time in business of at least 6 months (though startups may be considered on an exception basis), proof of a business bank account, collateral, proof of business taxes, a profit and loss statement, balance sheet, registered business or trade name, and a credit check (no minimum score is required). If a business is less than two years old, a business plan is required.
Understanding that the process can be daunting, CIC offers flexibility and support during the application process, including assistance in preparing documents. Szymanski emphasized three considerations before seeking funding: how much money is needed, how the money will be spent, and what collateral is available.
In addition to small business lending, CIC offers a BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) community managed loan fund. The fund offers interest-free microloans of $500-10,000 with a “storytelling-based application.” No documents are required to apply, and support will be provided in preparing documents during the application process. At least 50% of business ownership must identify as BIPOC to be eligible. BIPOC loans require proof of a business bank account, a profit & loss statement, and a registered business or trade name prior to being given funding. Credit checks, collateral, and loan fees are not required, and a business can be in any stage, including startups.
BIPOC exemplifies characterbased lending, an underwriting approach where a borrower’s personal qualities, community reputation, and other factors beyond credit scores and collateral are given greater emphasis. A volunteer committee make decisions regarding the loan fund. Potential borrowers may apply via video or audio as well as in writing.
For either small business or BIPOC loans, and for those who aren’t quite ready for their first loan, CIC offers referrals to business education courses and other resources. The CIC website offers information about starting a business, understanding finances, as well as how loans work.
Szymanski emphasized CIC’s motto “We Know Your Worth” by relaying that CIC is concerned about what’s best for applicants, and that if CIC turns out not to be the best option for someone, CIC will work with an individual to find alternatives.
Following her presentation, she welcomed comments and questions about her organization. Aaron Cooper, executive director of ISDA spoke about how responsive CIC has been to Ajo, having collaborated with ISDA several times in the past. In fact, CIC funds helped keep the Plaza going, he said.
Cristal Franco, Ajo Business Support Center’s manager, told the Ajo Copper News that the business center is considering offering either virtual or in-person office hours to CIC and that “they’ve been a very helpful partner.”
Szymanski encouraged anyone with questions or curiosity about CIC assistance to email her at brandi@cictucson.org or call her at 520-529-1766 extension 216.
Originally published in Ajo Copper News.
In a world where traditional banking systems often overlook and underserve the BIPOC community, Community Investment Corporation (CIC) is revolutionizing access to capital in Southern AZ.
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