Startup USA Guide
Part B · Startup-relevant scheme

Native American CDFI Assistance Program (NACA Program)

US Department of the Treasury (CDFI Fund)

Mixed IdeationSeed / Early-Stage

NACA funds Certified Native CDFIs (and organizations working to become one) with financial-assistance awards to build lending capacity, plus technical-assistance grants, so Native communities have a dedicated source of business and consumer credit.

Type of support
Mixed
Best suited for
Ideation / Early-Stage
Headline amount
Up to $2,000,000 (to Native CDFIs)
How much
Varies by originating Native CDFI

Objectives

Address a persistent credit gap in Native communities that mainstream lenders and even most CDFIs don't reach, by strengthening Native-controlled lenders directly.

Who can apply?

  • Direct applicants are Certified Native CDFIs (Financial Assistance) or entities becoming one (Technical Assistance).
  • A Native-community entrepreneur benefits by borrowing from a NACA-capitalized Native CDFI.

What do you get?

  • Base Financial Assistance awards up to $2M to Certified Native CDFIs.
  • Technical Assistance grants up to $400,000.
  • Over $220M awarded since the program's 2002 launch.

How to apply

Native-community entrepreneurs apply to a Native CDFI for financing directly; Native CDFIs themselves apply to Treasury during NACA's annual funding round.

Go to official portal