Introduction
Welcome to our Financial Resources Webpage, a curated collection of financial resources tailored to the region WRMSDC serves. Whether you’re a small business owner, an entrepreneur, or looking to expand your financial knowledge, you’ll find a diverse range of resources to help you achieve your goals.
Disclaimer
Please note that the resources listed on this page are provided as a collection for your convenience. We do not endorse or advocate for any particular resource over another. It is important to thoroughly evaluate each option and make informed decisions based on what best fits your business needs and circumstances. Always consider seeking advice from a qualified financial advisor to guide you in making the most appropriate choices.
Table Of Contents
Definitions of the different types of funding
| Loans | Loans are borrowed funds that must be repaid with interest over a specified period. For businesses, loans can be used for various purposes such as working capital, equipment purchases, or expansion. They typically come from banks, credit unions, or online lenders. |
| Investment Capital | Investment capital refers to funds provided by investors in exchange for ownership equity in a company. This can come in the form of venture capital, angel investments, or private equity. Unlike loans, investment capital doesn’t need to be repaid, but investors expect a return on their investment through the company’s growth and success. |
| Disaster Assistance | Disaster assistance is financial help provided to businesses affected by declared disasters. The SBA offers disaster loans to help businesses recover from physical and economic damage caused by disasters. These loans typically have low interest rates and long repayment terms. |
| Surety Bonds | Surety bonds are three-party agreements that guarantee the performance of a contract. For small businesses, the SBA offers a Surety Bond Guarantee Program that helps small businesses win contracts by providing guarantees to surety companies, which then provide bonds to small businesses that might not otherwise be able to obtain them. |
| Grants | Grants are funds given to businesses or individuals that do not need to be repaid. They are often provided by government agencies, foundations, or corporations for specific purposes or to support particular industries or causes. Unlike loans or investments, grants do not require the recipient to give up equity or repay the funds. |
National & Multi-state Resources
| Name | Summary | Contact |
US Small Business Administration (SBA) | The US Small Business Administration (SBA) is a federal agency supporting small businesses and entrepreneurs. Established in 1953, the SBA provides various services to help small businesses grow and succeed. Key offerings include:
| answerdesk@sba.gov |
State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) | The State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) is a federal program designed to increase credit availability for small businesses and startups across the United States. Originally established under the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010 and reauthorized by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, SSBCI provides funding to state programs that support private lending and investment in small businesses. Key offerings include:
| ssbci_information@treasury.gov |
| The Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) | The Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) is a federal office dedicated to maximizing the participation of small businesses, including those owned by disadvantaged individuals, in federal procurement opportunities. The OSDBU is not a procurement office but serves as a liaison between the small business community and Commerce procurement offices. Key offerings include:
| osdbu@doc.gov |
Small Business Transportation Resource Centers (SBTRCs) | The Southwest SBTRC provides an array of technical assistance to build the capacity of small and disadvantaged businesses. Key offerings include:
| SBTRCsouthwest@calasiancc.org |
| Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) | Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) are a nationwide network of centers that provide free or low-cost business consulting and training to small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs. Key Offerings include:
| Find your nearest SBCD |
| SCORE | SCORE is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping small businesses start, grow, and succeed through free mentoring, workshops, and educational resources. Supported by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), SCORE has a network of volunteer business mentors who provide expert advice and support to entrepreneurs at all stages of their business journey. Key Offerings include:
| 1-800-634-0245 |
| KIVA Microloans | Kiva is a global nonprofit organization that connects borrowers with lenders through its online platform, enabling individuals and small businesses to access microloans. By leveraging crowdfunding, Kiva supports entrepreneurs worldwide, particularly those who may not have access to traditional financial services. Key Offerings include:
| Contact Page |
| Entrepreneurs of Color Fund | The Entrepreneurs of Color Fund was designed to better connect business owners like you to affordable, flexible capital. Complete the questionnaire below to help us get to know your business. | https://www.lisc.org/eocf/small-business-owners/ |
| JP Morgan Chase Advancing Black Pathways | Advancing Black Pathways strengthens economic foundations and addresses systemic obstacles within Black communities. Our goal is to advance racial equity and begin to break down barriers for Black, Hispanic, and Latino communities, including through our Racial Equity Commitment. | |
| US Bank Access Business | U.S. Bank Access Business is a focused initiative under U.S Bank Access Commitment®, also in Spanish, which provides information, connections, and resources to help small business owners sustain and grow their business. Our team of Business Access Advisors is here to help you connect and network with local resources, advise you on how to meet your goals, and guide you through the process. | |
| US Bank Diverse Business Resources | U.S. Bank is committed to helping close historical lending gaps among minorities, women, and veterans. We are one of the few banks in the country to offer a special-purpose credit program under the Equal Credit Opportunity Act that provides funding opportunities to traditionally underserved communities. Our Business Diversity Lending Program includes U.S. Bank’s traditional business loans and lines of credit, but with credit guidelines that open the door to include a wider audience of business owners. | Schedule an Appointment |
| US Bank Business Diversity Lending Program | BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and people of color), women, and veterans receive less funding and access to credit than other business owners. We are committed to helping close historical funding gaps among traditionally underserved communities. The U.S. Bank Business Diversity Lending Program opens the door to more business owners through revisions to credit standards that improve access to business loans and lines of credit. | |
| BCF Business Consortium Fund | Business Consortium Fund, Inc. is a 501 (c)(3) certified, not-for-profit business development group designated by the United States Department of the Treasury as a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI). Today, BCF is America’s most comprehensive financing and technical support organization exclusively serving businesses with supply-chain contracts. We offer loan programs and consulting services through our strategic partners, including the NMSDC network of 23 affiliated regional councils. | https://bcfcapital.com/loan-facilities/ |
California Resources
| Name | Summary | Contact |
| California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank (IBank) | The California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank (IBank) is a state-run financial institution that supports infrastructure, economic development, and job creation in California. Established in 1994, IBank offers a range of financial products to public agencies, non-profits, and small businesses Key offerings include:
| IBank@IBank.ca.gov |
| California Emerging Technology Fund (CETF) | The California Emerging Technology Fund (CETF) is a non-profit organization dedicated to closing the digital divide and promoting digital inclusion in California. Established in 2005, CETF works to ensure that all Californians have access to affordable high-speed internet and the digital skills needed to thrive in the modern economy. Key offerings include:
| Contact Page |
| California Pollution Control Financing Authority (SPCFA) | The California Pollution Control Financing Authority (CPCFA) promotes environmental and economic goals by providing financial assistance through various programs. Established in 1972, CPCFA offers tax-exempt bond financing, the California Capital Access Program (CalCAP), the California Investment & Innovation Program (Cal IIP), the Rate Reduction Bond Program, the Industrial Development Bond Project Program, and the California Recycle Underutilized Sites (CALReUSE) program. These initiatives support pollution control, infrastructure development, and small business growth in California. Key offerings include:
| Email sign up |
| Collateral Support Program (CSP) | The California Capital Access Program (CalCAP) Collateral Support program, managed by the California Pollution Control Financing Authority (CPCFA), is designed to help small businesses secure loans by providing cash collateral to lenders. This program aims to address the lack of sufficient collateral, a common barrier for small businesses seeking financing. Key offerings include:
| State Treasurer’s Office Directory and Contacts |
| The California Capital Access Program (CalCAP) | The California Capital Access Program (CalCAP) is a state-run program that encourages banks and financial institutions to make loans to small businesses that have difficulty obtaining financing. Managed by the California Pollution Control Financing Authority (CPCFA), CalCAP provides a credit enhancement mechanism to reduce the risk for lenders. Key offerings include:
| California Pollution Control Financing Authority Contact Information |
| Main Street Launch | Main Street Launch is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing economic development support to small businesses, particularly those in underserved communities. By offering access to capital, business consulting, and educational resources, Main Street Launch helps entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses, fostering local economic growth. Key offerings include
| 510.830.3275 |
Regional Resources in Northern California
| Name | Summary | Contact |
| Main Street Launch Oakland | Main Street Launch is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing economic development support to small businesses, particularly those in underserved communities. By offering access to capital, business consulting, and educational resources, Main Street Launch helps entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses, fostering local economic growth. Key offerings include
| 510.830.3275 |
San Francisco / SF Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) / SF Emerging Business Loan Fund Program (EBLF) | Main Street Launch is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing economic development support to small businesses, particularly those in underserved communities. By offering access to capital, business consulting, and educational resources, Main Street Launch helps entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses, fostering local economic growth. Key offerings include
| 415.930.7870 |
| SF Lends | The SF LENDS program, offered by the Office of the Treasurer & Tax Collector in San Francisco, aims to support small businesses by facilitating access to affordable financing. It connects small business owners with lending partners and resources to help them secure loans and grow their enterprises. Key offerings include
| |
| The Fondo Adelante Community Loan Fund | The Fondo Adelante Community Loan Fund, administered by the Mission Economic Development Agency (MEDA), provides financial support to small businesses, particularly those owned by low-income and immigrant entrepreneurs in San Francisco. The fund aims to promote economic stability and growth within underserved communities. Key offerings include
| loans@medasf.org |
| Mission Asset Fund | The Mission Asset Fund (MAF) is a nonprofit organization that provides financial services and resources to low-income and immigrant communities. MAF aims to create a fair financial marketplace by offering innovative programs that help individuals build credit, access loans, and achieve financial stability. Key offerings include:
| Contact Page |
| Northeast Community Federal Credit Union | The Northeast Community Federal Credit Union (NECFCU) provides financial services to underserved communities, with a focus on promoting economic stability and growth. Key offerings include:
| Chinatown Branch 415.434.0738 Tenderloin Branch 415.441.7283 |
| Accion Opportunity Fund | The Accion Opportunity Fund offers financing solutions and support services to small businesses, particularly those owned by underserved entrepreneurs. Their mission is to create a fair financial marketplace. Key offerings include:
| Contact Page |
| Pacific Community Ventures | Pacific Community Ventures (PCV) invests in small businesses to create quality jobs and support community development through financial and advisory services. Key offerings include:
| Contact Page |
| Southeast Asian Community Center (SEACC) | The Southeast Asian Community Center (SEACC) supports the economic and social development of Southeast Asian communities in the San Francisco Bay Area. Key offerings include:
| info@seaccusa.org |
| The SF LGBT Community Center | The SF LGBT Center takes pride in assisting LGBTQ entrepreneurs in San Francisco through a variety of programs including one-on-one business consulting and coaching, various business workshops, a new entrepreneur training program, the Queer Street Marketplace, and referrals to our vast small business development network for funding and other support. Key offerings include:
| SBConsultant@sfcenter.org |
| Working Solutions | Working Solutions is a nonprofit organization that provides microloans and extensive support services to small businesses in the San Francisco Bay Area, particularly those owned by underserved entrepreneurs. Key offerings include:
| info@workingsolutions.org |
| SF Accessible Barrier Removal Grant | Get reimbursed up to $10,000 for an accessibility inspection of your small business, or for the purchase and installation of furniture, fixtures, or equipment to make your business more accessible to the public. | n/a |
| SF Vandalism Grant Fund | The Storefront Vandalism Relief Grant provides up to $2,000 in financial relief for the restoration of small businesses impacted by deliberate actions that result in the destruction or damages of small business storefronts. | n/a |
| SF Fire Disaster Relief grant | This program provides grants of up to $10,000 to small businesses damaged by a fire that is no fault of their own. | sfosb@sfgov.org |
| SF Floodwater management | These grants are for San Francisco property owners who experience flooding from the sewer system or adjacent public right-of-way during heavy rains. | Floodwater Grant Interest Form |
| SF Legacy Business Progam | Businesses over 30 years old. Long-standing small businesses can join the Legacy Business Registry for recognition, marketing and business help, and special grants. | |
| SF Automatic Dishwashing grant | The San Francisco Environment Department is offering grants of up to $2,500 toward leasing or buying automatic dishwashers, to help food service businesses build reusable foodware infrastructure for on-site dining. | |
| SF Commercial Washer Rebate | SFPUC customers can qualify to receive a rebate of up to $5,000 for the purchase of eligible commercial-grade clothes washers in laundromats, commercial properties, or common area laundry rooms of multi-family properties with more than 10 dwelling units. | waterconservation@sfwater.org |
| SF Downtown Entertainment & Nightlife Revitalization Grants (ENRG) | Downtown ENRG – pronounced ‘energy’- is designed to breathe new life into downtown San Francisco by supporting arts, culture, and entertainment activities that attract visitors and locals to the city center during evenings and weekends. | |
| The San Francisco Community Investment Fund (SFCIF) is a not-for-profit financial institution that uses New Market Tax Credits (NMTCs) to help fund projects with substantial and sustainable community benefits in low-income SF neighborhoods. | SFCIF@sfgov.org | |
| The San Francisco Women’s Entrepreneurship Fund | The San Francisco Women’s Entrepreneurship Fund provides mini-grants of up to $5,000 to San Francisco women-owned small businesses for projects and upgrades that will have a transformative impact on the business’s ability to grow. The Fund is established to improve the small business environment for women entrepreneurs in San Francisco and encourage collaboration between women entrepreneurs and local technical assistance providers. | erodriguez@medasf.org. |
| OAK Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (Go-Biz) | In Spring 2024, the City of Oakland received its fifth grant from the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (Go-Biz), totaling $3 million. This grant supports cannabis equity businesses with start-up and ongoing costs until October 31, 2025. Equity applicants can receive grants up to $50,000 if they meet one of two criteria: (a) have operated for at least two years based on City business tax certificates, or (b) utilize or manage a shared-use manufacturing facility. | cannabisapp@oaklandca.gov |
| Oakland Black Business FUnd | The Oakland Black Business Fund supports Black-owned businesses in Oakland, California, focusing on economic empowerment and community development. Key offerings include:
| https://oaklandblack businessfund.org/apply/ |
| OAK Immigrant Micro-Business Support Program | The Immigrant Business Support Program in Oakland provides tailored assistance to immigrant entrepreneurs to help them start and grow their businesses. Key offerings include:
| |
| ASIAN Inc./San Jose MBDA Business Center | Asian, Inc. is dedicated to empowering small business owners, particularly those from Asian American and other minority communities. They provide comprehensive support to help businesses thrive and grow. Key Offerings Include:
| 415.928.5910 |
| SAC Area Capital Financial Development Corporation | Microloans of up to $50,000 are available for small businesses in Amador, Butte, Calaveras, Colusa, El Dorado, Glenn, Lake, Lassen, Modoc, Napa, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Sierra, Siskiyou, Solano, Shasta, Stanislaus, Sutter, Tehama, Trinity, Yolo, and Yuba Counties. Loans of up to $150,000 for businesses in Sacramento, Yolo, Nevada, El Dorado, and Placer Counties. This is made possible through the EDA Revolving Loan Fund. | https://cacapital. ecenterdirect.com/signup |
| Sacramento MBDA Business Center | The Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) Business Centers support the growth and competitiveness of minority-owned businesses across the United States. These centers provide a range of services designed to help businesses expand, access capital, and enter new markets. Key Offerings Include:
| sacramentombda@ calasiancc.org |
| Low-interest rate loans of up to $50,000 are available to Lodi-based businesses with 10 or fewer employees. This new source of lending offered by the Lodi City Council is intended to provide a path forward to greater economic growth for startups and small businesses based in Lodi who have experienced hardships in obtaining capital. |
Nevada Resources
| Name | Summary | Contact |
| Nevada Department of Business & Industry | The Department of Business and Industry is a cabinet-level agency in the Nevada State government. Our objective is to encourage and promote the development and growth of business and to ensure the legal operation of business in order to protect consumers by maintaining a fair and competitive regulatory environment.
Key offerings include:
|
biinfo@business.nv.gov |
| Nevada State Treasurer | Nevada Capital Resources | |
| Rural Nevada Development Corporation | The Rural Nevada Development Corporation (RNDC) focuses on supporting economic development in rural Nevada communities.
Key offerings include:
|
Info@RNDCNV.org |
| Nevada Small Business Development Center (SBDC) | Nevada SBDC guides and assists Nevadans looking to start and grow businesses, with objectives to increase business starts, create and retain jobs, and increase access to capital. One-on-one advising services are free and confidential. Nevada SBDC also offers and coordinates a wide range of workshops and courses in collaboration with public and private entities.
Key offerings include:
|
admin@nevadasbdc.org |
| Battle Born Growth | The Battle Born Growth initiative, hosted by the Nevada Small Business Development Center (Nevada SBDC), supports small businesses in Nevada by providing specialized consulting, training, and resources to foster growth and sustainability. It aims to enhance entrepreneurial success and economic resilience across the state.
Key offerings include:
|
Contact Page |
| Nevada MBDA Business Center | The Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) Business Centers support the growth and competitiveness of minority-owned businesses across the United States. These centers provide a range of services designed to help businesses expand, access capital, and enter new markets.
Key Offerings Include:
|
Contact Page |
Hawai'i Resources
| Name | Summary | Contact |
| Hawai’i Technology Development Corporation | The High Technology Development Corporation (HTDC) of Hawai’i fosters economic development by supporting technology and innovation-based industries in the state. It provides infrastructure, funding opportunities, and business support services to nurture startups and small businesses focused on high-tech sectors.
Key offerings include:
|
info@htdc.org |
| Hawai’i Small Business Capital Program | The State of Hawai’i’s HI-CAP Program provides capital assistance to Hawai’i’s small businesses, start-ups, and entrepreneurs. It is funded by the U.S. Treasury under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (“ARPA”) for the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI).
Key offerings include:
|
dbedt.greenbank@hawaii.gov |
| Hawai’i Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) Business Centers | The Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) Business Centers support the growth and competitiveness of minority-owned businesses across the United States. These centers provide a range of services designed to help businesses expand, access capital, and enter new markets.
Key Offerings Include:
|
info@honolulumbda center.com |