10. Access Funding

Connect with local resource providers and funders. Learn what to expect and how to navigate these organizations.

Lesson:

X.a. Introduction to Small-Business-Funding

Leveraging your sustainability to get the funding you need.

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Download the Lender's Toolkit
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Download the Grantmaker's Toolkit
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Lesson:

X.b. Introduction to Small Business Lending

Leverage your credit standing and stable revenues to acquire traditional loans

Leverage comprehensive plans and Founder readiness to secure micro-loans from non-traditional lenders.

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Download the Lender's Toolkit
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Lesson:

X.b.1. Traditional Lenders and Their Priorities

Accessing loans and other financing from traditional lenders like banks and credit unions.

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Reference: The Funder's Toolkit Part I: Lenders; Section 1

Lesson:

X.b.2. Character-Based Lenders and Their Priorities

Accessing funding programs designed specifically to support marginalized Founders

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Reference: The Funder's Toolkit Part I: Lenders; Section 2

Lesson:

X.b.3. Locating Traditional Small-Business Lenders

Find major traditional small business lending institutions in your community.

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Reference: The Funder's Toolkit Part I: Lenders; Section 3

Lesson:

X.b.4. Locating Character-Based Lenders

Find character-based lenders and community development financial institutions (CDFI's) in your community.

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Reference: The Funder's Toolkit Part I: Lenders; Section 4

Lesson:

X.b.5. Assessing Your Small- Business Lender(s)

Conduct simple research on your Lender to ensure alignment with your company's financial goals and growth status.

Decide whether a traditional or non-traditional loan is the right path for your business.

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Download the Traditional Lender Assessment Template
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Download the Non-Traditional Lender Assessment
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Reference: The Funders Toolkit Part I: Lenders; Section 5

Lesson:

X.b.6. Preparing to Apply for a Character-Based Loan

How does your business portfolio and Founder readiness measure up to the standards of non-traditional lenders?

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Reference: The Funders Toolkit: Part I: Lenders; Section 6

Lesson:

X.b.7. Underwriting with Character-Based Lenders

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Reference: The Funder's Toolkit Part I: Lenders; Section 7

Lesson:

X.b.8. Character-Based Lender Interviews

Prepare for lender inquiries about your company and its Founders

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Reference: The Funder's Toolkit Part I: Lenders; Section 8

Lesson:

X.b.9. Finances and Credit with Character-Based Lenders

Understanding how your credit impacts your application with a non-traditional lender

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Reference: The Funders Toolkit: Part I: Lenders; Section 9

Lesson:

X.b.10. Keys to Success with Character-Based Lenders

Tips to best navigate the weeks-long process ahead.

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Reference: The Funder's Toolkit Part I: Lenders; Section 10

Lesson:

X.b.11. Potential Outcomes with Character-Based Lenders

Understand the potential outcomes and plan to make the most out of ANY lending decision.

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Reference: The Funder's Toolkit Part I: Lenders; Section 11

Lesson:

X.b.12. Managing a Character-Based Business Loan

Taking proactive steps to ensure on-time payments and give your lender a return on investment.

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Reference: The Funder's Toolkit Part II: Lenders; Section 12

Lesson:

X.c. Introduction to Small Business Grantmaking

Leverage your company's sustainability and marketability to secure grants

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Lesson:

X.c.1. Grantmakers and Their Priorities

Understanding the top priorities of Grantmakers

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Reference: The Funder's Toolkit Part II: Grantmaking; Section 1

Lesson:

X.c.2. Locating Private and National Grantmakers

Where to find private and national grantmakers that support companies in your industry.

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Reference: The Funder's Toolkit Part II: Grantmaking; Section 2

Lesson:

X.c.3. Locating Public and Locally-Based Grantmakers

Locating grant programs specifically created for businesses in your community

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Reference: The Funder's Toolkit Part II: Grantmaking; Section 3

Lesson:

X.c.4. Conduct a Grantmaker Assessment

Assess grantmakers before applying to ensure alignment with your company

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Download the Grantmakers Assessment
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Lesson:

X.c.5. Preparing a Grant Application

How well does your company's portfolio measure up to your Grantmakers' Requirements?

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Download the Grantmakers Checklist
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Lesson:

X.c.6 The Application Review Process with Grantmakers

What to expect after submitting your grant application.

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Reference: The Funder's Toolkit Part II: Grantmaking; Section 6

Lesson:

X.c.7. Keys to Success with Grantmakers

Tips to best navigate the competitive process ahead.

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Reference: The Funder's Toolkit Part II: Grantmaking; Section 7

Lesson:

X.c.8. Potential Outcomes with Grantmakers

What to expect when applying for grants

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Reference: The Funder's Toolkit Part II: Grantmaking; Section 8

Lesson:

X.c.9. Managing a Small-Business Grant

Maximizing the outcomes from your small business grant(s).

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Reference: The Funder's Toolkit Part II: Grantmaking; Section 9