CIC Tucson Blog

Explore the Latest News from Community Investment Corporation

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit committed to expanding access to economic opportunities, Community Investment Corporation (CIC) supports Southern Arizona families. CIC’s programs focus on building generational wealth through first-time homeownership, small business loans, and education resources – three distinct program areas that are foundational to individual and community well-being.

Find CIC’s new podcast, Let’s Talk Small Biz Finance, here.

Scroll down to find upcoming events, workshops, and info sessions hosted by CIC at the bottom of the page.

CIC, In Partnership with Vantage West Credit Union, Awarded AHEAD Grant from FHLBank San Francisco

Community Investment Corporation (CIC), in partnership with Vantage West Credit Union, has been awarded a $200,000 AHEAD Program grant from the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco (FHLBank San Francisco).

The funding will help CIC expand Arizona’s first coordinated heirs’ property initiative, providing estate planning education, legal navigation, title resolution assistance, and cross-sector support to help families preserve homeownership and protect generational wealth.

CIC’s Danny Knee Featured in AZPM Article on Arizona Childcare Needs and Bright Futures AZ Initiative

The Community Investment Corporation is a Tucson-based nonprofit that provides loans and financial coaching for small businesses. Earlier this year, it was one of several local organizations awarded $700,000 to support small childcare businesses that are less likely to get loans from banks.

The award is part of a greater $3 million effort from the state to expand affordable childcare access.

Building Local Economies with Heath Vescovi-Chiordi and Danny Knee

In this episode of the Let’s Talk Small Biz Finance Podcast, Danny Knee chats with Heath Vescovi-Chiordi about how regional economic strategies foster community growth, support small businesses, and adapt to global shifts. They explore the tools, policies, and innovative projects driving economic resilience and community benefit in Tucson and beyond.

CIC’s Arizona Capital Access Program featured in the Nasdaq Foundation 2025 annual report

CIC is proud to have received a grant from the Nasdaq Foundation to support the ongoing expansion of the Arizona Capital Access Program (AZ CAP). AZ CAP seeks to address disparities in equity capital access through a two-pronged approach – by bridging the social capital gap that many entrepreneurs from under resourced backgrounds face and by expanding decision making power beyond current and traditional equity investment institutions.

CIC Selected for Bright Futures AZ Child Care Microbusiness Investment Grant

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.

New Pathways for Investors and Founders: Danny Knee Featured on Nasdaq.com

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.

Crowdfunding Your Business Growth with Kiva: A Conversation with Reteisha Byrd and Danny Knee

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.

Impact Investing for a More Inclusive Economy: A Conversation with Alicia Robb and Danny Knee

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.

Local First Arizona and CIC’s Green Loan Fund Partnership Featured on Tucson Spotlight

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.

CIC and BIPOC Loan Fund Awarded 2025-2027 African American Legacy Fund Grant

We are pleased to announce that the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona’s (CFSA) 2025-2027 African American Legacy Fund (AALF) Grants have awarded $50,000 to 5 exceptional nonprofits in the region. They are Blue Lotus Artist’s Collective, Community Investment Corporation (BIPOC Loan Fund), Dynamic Breast Cancer Care, Sierra Vista Dream Center, and The Multivrs Is Illuminated.

BIPOC Loan Fund receives $10,000 Donation from the Industrial Development Authority of the City of Sierra Vista.

Donate to the BIPOC Loan Fund Here BIPOC Loan Fund receives $10,000

“Tucson nonprofits celebrate one-year anniversary of BIPOC Entrepreneurs Day” – Startup Tucson and CIC featured on KGUN9

Joel Foster had a chance to speak with Keneshia Raymond, Director of Entrepreneurship Success & Access to Capital at Startup Tucson and BIPOC Loan Fund Committee Member, at the one-year anniversary of BIPOC Entrepreneurs Day at Slow Body Beer. “We’re the only loan in Arizona of this kind,” Raymond said. “They’re coming to us because we understand what they’re going through. We’re here to give them a chance.”

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