Part B · Startup-relevant scheme
CDFI Fund — Financial & Technical Assistance Awards (CDFI Fund)
US Department of the Treasury
Other
IdeationPrototype / PoCSeed / Early-StageGrowth / Scaling
The CDFI Fund doesn't lend to startups directly — it certifies and funds Community Development Financial Institutions (banks, credit unions, loan funds, and venture funds with a community-development mission) so they can lend more to underserved communities.
Type of support
Other
Best suited for
Any stage (via a local CDFI)
Headline amount
Indirect — via a certified CDFI lender
How much
Indirect — via a certified CDFI
Source
Objectives
Expand economic opportunity for underserved people and communities by growing the capacity of mission-driven community lenders — over 1,300 certified CDFIs nationwide.
Who can apply?
- A startup benefits indirectly by borrowing from or raising from a certified CDFI in its area — not by applying to the CDFI Fund itself.
- CDFIs themselves must be certified by Treasury to receive Financial Assistance (FA) or Technical Assistance (TA) awards.
What do you get?
- Grows the pool of mission-driven lenders willing to serve underserved founders and small businesses.
- Some certified CDFIs run their own venture-capital funds, not just debt products.
How to apply
Search the CDFI Fund's certified-CDFI list for a lender or investor in your area, and apply to that institution directly.
Key links
Details as most recently confirmed against the official source linked above. Deadlines, amounts and windows change — verify on the official portal before applying.