A Hand Up: In the U.S., microfinance gives the smallest businesses a chance to grow Tim Flanagan strolls the streets of the Washington, D.C., working-class neighborhoods where he works and points out businesses that were launched with his help — a yoga studio, a falafel house, even an environmental engineering consultancy. In each case, a small loan from his […]
Black business lending: Harder hit, less rebound When Donna Austin opened her funeral brokerage business in 2007, she invited everyone she knew to her new office in Greenbelt to celebrate. “I was so excited,” she said. “I had it catered. I had Champagne. I opened the doors to let people know I’m here.” Austin, a […]
Holding the Purse Strings by Dale Coachman Black Enterprise October 1, 2011 Name: Lindsay Hicks Title: Technical Assistance Officer Company: Washington Area Community Investment Fund (WACIF) Education: B.A. in Political Science with a minor in Community Development, Howard University Lindsay Hicks works for a community development loan fund whose mission is to empower underserved communities and individuals in the Washington, […]
D.C. streetscape relief fund open for business BY MICHAEL NEIBAUER Aug 19, 2011, 6:00am EDT D.C. business owners who can prove they have experienced financial hardship as a result of a District government streetscape project may be eligible for zero-interest loans under a new city program. The rules establishing the Streetscape Loan Relief Fund took effect […]
Community development funds in D.C. area scrape for cash In the area’s toughest neighborhoods, the most visible lenders are often the sort who deal in used guitars, well-worn jewelry and firearms. But amid the neon pawn signs are dozens of quiet lenders known as community development financial institutions. Their loans help build schools, small businesses […]
Lending a hand Capital is the lifeblood of any business, and Donna Grigsby has been giving transfusions to cash-strapped entrepreneurs for nine years as executive director of the Washington Area Community Investment Fund (WACIF). Now Grigsby is helping rehab post-fire Eastern Market. The best thing about funding small businesses is that they end up receiving […]
D.C., Prince George’s small businesses to share $760,000 Small businesses in parts of the District and Prince George’s County will benefit from a $760,000 grant courtesy of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The money will be distributed by the Washington Area Community Investment Fund, a nonprofit group that provides loans and consulting […]
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