Become a Referral Partner at Wacif

Partner with us to help low- and moderate-income entrepreneurs who don’t qualify for traditional bank loans receive financial assistance from the Washington Area Community Investment Fund (Wacif), a leading Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) in the Washington, DC metropolitan area.

Submit a Referral

Support Small Businesses and Communities

Wacif’s mission is to increase equity and economic opportunity in underserved communities in the Washington, DC area by investing knowledge, social, and financial capital in low- and moderate-income entrepreneurs. Partner with us for the following reasons:

Problem Solve with Your Clients

A referral partnership with Wacif will provide another funding option for small business owners who aren’t ready for traditional financing.

Increase Customer Retention

Wacif is not a depository institution, so your team can still maintain your relationships with clients while we support them with more flexible loan products. It's a win-win for everyone!

Build Your Future Pipeline

Wacif tracks where referrals come from, so when clients mature operationally, we send them back to you to continue their lending needs.

Fill Your Funding Gaps

Wacif can take a secondary role on collateral to fill funding gaps on larger projects out of your team’s comfort zone.

Provide Clients with a Safe Alternative

Our loan rates start at 7.75%, making Wacif a more affordable option than high-interest rate lenders. Small business owners must speak with their bank advisor before connecting with us.

Start a Referral with Wacif

Reach out to one of our relationship managers to learn more about Wacif. We are happy to connect with you to answer any questions, including providing more details about our referral process.

DC/Virginia

Eric Alston

(202) 505-5877 

Wacif requires the following minimum eligibility criteria to be met for all potential borrowers:

Businesses must be located in one of the following areas:
- DC: District of Columbia
- MD: Montgomery County, Prince George’s County
- VA: Arlington County, City of Alexandria, Fairfax County, City of Fairfax
Business owner must be a U.S. citizen, legal permanent resident, or have a valid work visa
Must have filed federal income taxes for the most recent filing deadline with the IRS (business and/or personal) or have filed an extension
Business must have a business bank account
Must have been in business for a minimum of 1 year
Must have had business revenue at or above $50,000 during the previous fiscal year
Cannot be a non-profit (with the exception of child care centers), an unregistered business, or a Limited Cooperative Association
Cannot be a business within the following
Wacif cannot lend to businesses in the following industries:

Lobbying or politically-focused businesses;

Any speculative business (such as oil wildcatting);

Any business that presents live performances of a prurient sexual nature; or derives directly or indirectly more than 5 percent of gross revenue through the sale of products or services, or the presentation of any depictions or displays, of a prurient sexual nature;

Any businesses teaching, counseling or indoctrinating religion or religious beliefs;

Any pyramid sale distribution plan;

Gambling (including legal);

Any financial business primarily engaged in lending, or loan packagers earning more than one third of their gross annual revenues from packaging SBA loans;

Life Insurance companies;

Any business engaged in illegal activity;

Wacif additionally prohibits borrowers from the following industries:

Tanning salons

Cannabis businesses

Pawn shops

Astrology, palm reading
list of restricted industries

Don’t have much time to connect? Complete a quick and easy form online.

Submit a Referral

Partner with Wacif to Make a Difference

When we work with your team, we’ll support small business owners and their communities. Wacif strives to say “yes” whenever we can through loan approvals or other technical assistance that connects small business owners with the resources they need to move closer to their goals.

“Wacif was so helpful in helping my business obtain a loan. Due to my credit, I was not able to obtain a traditional loan, and Wacif was able to assist me throughout the whole process. I worked with Isaac, who was always on top of everything and made me feel comfortable. I was able to get enough to help me with expansion and product development. This process was simple and seamless. I would highly rate Wacif and my experience with them.”

Briana Whatcott
Minte

Submit a Referral

Our Impact Over 35 Years

Wacif has partnered with public and private institutions and individuals to invest in our shared community and drive equity and opportunity throughout the Washington, DC metropolitan area. Join Wacif by helping us continue to fulfill our mission of supporting underserved entrepreneurs.

Jobs created or retained

Technical Assistance Hours

Entreprenuers Served

Grants and Loans Dispersed