What Craft3 does

Craft3 is a nonprofit Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) founded in 1994 and headquartered in Astoria, Oregon, serving underserved borrowers across Oregon and Washington. The organization provides flexible, mission-driven loan products to entrepreneurs, rural homeowners, nonprofits, and conservation entities who cannot qualify for traditional bank financing, including general business loans, bridge loans, owner-occupied commercial real estate loans, construction loans, Sharia-compliant Islamic financing (Wakalah structure), and Clean Water septic-system loans. Supporting services include free business coaching, financial-projection assistance, and loan-readiness support. Craft3 maintains three offices (Portland, Tukwila, Seattle), serves a regional Pacific Northwest footprint, and holds CDFI certification from the U.S. Treasury CDFI Fund, an Aeris AA- financial strength rating, and ImpactAssets 50 inclusion.

The organization operates a portfolio of approximately $221 million in loans outstanding as of year-end 2024, split across a Commercial Portfolio ($105M), Consumer Portfolio ($59.7M), New Markets Tax Credit allocations ($48.5M), Managed Funds ($2M), and other balances ($7M), having deployed over $33 million in commercial loans during 2024 alone. Its technology infrastructure comprises a modernized loan origination system and CRM (refreshed in 2018) plus data management platforms that track both portfolio performance and community impact — a longitudinal dataset the organization has maintained since inception. Specialized product engineering is evident in the Wakalah Islamic financing structure and the AMI-tiered Clean Water Loan pricing introduced in 2025.

Craft3's revenue model combines net interest income from lending with contributed revenue from grants, donations, and impact-investor notes. It draws capital from a diversified base of 150+ funders and 200+ funding sources spanning banks, government agencies (notably Washington Department of Ecology and Oregon state for the Clean Water program), foundations, and individual impact investors. In November 2024, it received a landmark $15 million unrestricted gift from MacKenzie Scott's Yield Giving initiative, and in December 2025 it filed an SEC Form D exempt offering targeting $100 million in additional capital. The 2023–2027 Strategic Plan sets a five-year lending goal of $750 million across small business ($150M), housing ($175M), essential community services ($225M), and community climate adaptation ($200M).

Name

Craft3

Legal name

Craft3

Website

https://craft3.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Craft3 is a nonprofit Community Development Financial Institution founded in 1994, providing flexible mission-driven business, homeowner, and Islamic financing loans to underserved entrepreneurs, rural homeowners, and nonprofits across Oregon and Washington.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Astoria

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Loan Interest and Fees: Craft3 generates revenue through interest income on loans to businesses, homeowners, and nonprofits. Loans include general business loans, bridge loans, construction loans, owner-occupied commercial real estate loans, clean water loans, home energy loans, and Islamic financing. The organization is a nonprofit CDFI that also receives grants and donations to support mission-driven lending at below-market rates.
2. Donations and Grants: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN 91-1662698), Craft3 receives tax-deductible donations and grants from foundations, corporations, government agencies, and individuals to support operations and expand lending capacity to underserved communities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Craft3 is a nonprofit Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) that provides mission-driven loans and financial services to underserved borrowers across Oregon and Washington. Its core offerings include small business loans (general business, bridge, owner-occupied commercial real estate, construction, and Sharia-compliant Islamic financing), clean water/septic system loans for rural homeowners in partnership with state agencies, and supplementary business coaching and impact investment products. All products are targeted at borrowers unable to qualify for traditional bank financing.

Product overview

Craft3 is a nonprofit Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) offering a comprehensive suite of loan products and financial services across Oregon and Washington. The core offerings consist of Business Loans (General Business Loans, Bridge Loans, Owner-Occupied Commercial Real Estate Loans, Construction Loans, and Islamic Financing) and Homeowner Loans (Clean Water Loans including Oregon and Washington state-specific programs). These products are unified by Craft3's mission to serve borrowers unable to access traditional bank financing, particularly those in underserved communities affected by systemic racism, climate challenges, and limited rural/Tribal economic opportunities. The product portfolio is complemented by free business coaching services, impact investment opportunities, and specialized programs like the Conservation Bridge Fund and New Markets Tax Credits. The company positions itself as 'Capital, Relationships, and Voice' — using not just lending capital but also relationship-building and amplifying community voices to create systemic change in the Pacific Northwest.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• General Business Loans Flexible loans for general business activities, equipment purchases, starting or acquiring a business. Targeted at entrepreneurs unable to qualify for traditional bank financing, including entrepreneurs of color and woman-, immigrant-, and veteran-owned businesses across Oregon and Washington.
• Bridge Loans Short-term financing to bridge funding gaps for nonprofit organizations and other entities awaiting longer-term capital. Designed for community organizations needing flexible working capital between funding cycles.
• Owner-Occupied Commercial Real Estate Loans Loans for purchasing buildings or other commercial real estate properties for business owner occupancy. Available to underserved small business owners across Oregon and Washington.
• Construction Loans Financing for building new structures or improving existing commercial buildings. Targeted at small business owners and nonprofits undertaking facility projects.
• Islamic Financing (Wakalah) Sharia-compliant financing options using Wakalah agreements for purchasing real estate or obtaining working capital without charging interest. Designed for Muslim entrepreneurs who cannot access conventional interest-based loans.
• Clean Water Loans (Oregon) State-specific septic system repair and replacement financing program in Oregon, offered in partnership with Oregon state government. Interest rates are tied to area median income, and households earning less than 50% of AMI may qualify for full grants.
• Clean Water Loans (Washington) State-specific septic system repair and replacement financing program in Washington, offered in partnership with the Washington State Department of Ecology to protect public health and water quality. Income-based pricing with potential full grants for households under 50% of area median income.
• Business Services and Coaching Free advisory services including business plan development, financial projections, cash flow analysis, and loan readiness support provided to borrowers and applicants. Helps entrepreneurs prepare strong loan applications and develop sustainable business models.
• Community Impact Investment Note Investment opportunity for accredited impact investors to deploy capital in local Pacific Northwest communities through Craft3's mission-aligned lending programs. A $100M SEC Form D exempt securities offering was filed in 2025 with over $35M already sold.
• Conservation Bridge Fund Flexible capital product for land trusts, Tribes, and conservation organizations to support property acquisitions ahead of long-term funding. Supports the pace and scale of land conservation in the Pacific Northwest.
• New Markets Tax Credits Program Federal tax credit program managing $48.5 million in NMTC allocations to spur investment in low-income communities across the Pacific Northwest.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1,000 loans made since 1994 to entrepreneurs of color and indigenous-, woman-, immigrant-, and veteran-owned businesses
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered major and core.

• LIIF (Low Income Investment Fund)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 January 2025LIIF released FY25 early care and education impact report detailing $660 million in cumulative investments. Managing California Department of Social Services' $350.5 million Infrastructure Grant Program, deploying $86 million in grants across 56 of 58 California counties.
• Washington State Department of EcologycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Partnership between Washington State Department of Ecology and Craft3 to provide affordable funding options for septic system repairs and replacements. Since program's launch in 2016, more than 2,200 septic systems have been repaired or replaced through a $60 million investment.
• Oregon State GovernmentcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Partnership between Craft3 and Oregon state for the Clean Water Loan program. Since 2016, the program has helped hundreds of rural families stay in their homes, supporting completion of 350 septic projects and keeping over $170 million in housing stock habitable.
• Bank PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCraft3 partners with banks to deliver capital to businesses who don't qualify for bank financing. Each institution brings its strengths to the table, often crafting deals that neither could do alone.
• Prosper PortlandmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCraft3 works with Prosper Portland to deliver more equitable and inclusive approaches to community development finance.
• Washington Community Investment CoalitionmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCraft3 and other CDFIs in the Pacific Northwest came together to advocate for and obtain dedicated funding from Washington state.
• Small Business Development CenterscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCraft3 works with local Small Business Development Centers to help borrowers develop business plans and prepare loan applications.

Scale indicators17 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Low Income Investment Fund (LIIF): LIIF is a CDFI that finances child care, affordable housing, and community facilities for low-income communities. Directly comparable as a fellow CDFI deploying mission-aligned capital into underserved populations across the U.S. West Coast.
• Coastal Enterprises Inc (CEI): CEI is a Maine-based CDFI providing business loans, clean energy financing, and natural resource industry capital to underserved entrepreneurs. Comparable as a regionally focused CDFI with similar mission-driven lending, clean water/energy programs, and small business focus.
• Reinvestment Fund: Reinvestment Fund is a CDFI that finances housing, health care, clean energy, and community development projects. Comparable as a fellow CDFI with diversified mission-aligned lending products serving low-income communities, and similar scale of operations.
• Pacific Community Ventures: Pacific Community Ventures is a West Coast CDFI providing capital and business advisory services to small businesses in low-income communities. Directly comparable as a regional CDFI combining lending with technical assistance/coaching for underserved entrepreneurs.
• Calvert Impact Capital: Calvert Impact Capital raises capital from impact investors and deploys it through a global network of CDFIs and mission-driven lenders. Comparable as a CDFI intermediary and impact investment note issuer with similar community impact investment products.
• Self-Help Credit Union: Self-Help is a CDFI credit union serving underserved borrowers across the U.S. with small business, home, and consumer loans. Comparable as a large-scale CDFI providing responsible capital to those excluded from mainstream finance.
• Capital Impact Partners: Capital Impact Partners is a CDFI that delivers loans, investments, and capacity-building services to communities of color and underinvested communities. Comparable as a fellow mission-driven CDFI lender with similar impact-first mandate and nonprofit structure.
• Nonprofit Finance Fund: Nonprofit Finance Fund is a CDFI that provides loans, advisory, and insights to nonprofits, anchor institutions, and communities. Directly comparable as a fellow nonprofit CDFI offering bridge financing and lending to nonprofits and community organizations.
• RSF Social Finance: RSF Social Finance is a nonprofit financial services organization providing loans, grants, and investments to social enterprises. Comparable as a mission-aligned nonprofit financial institution with similar community-focused lending approach.

Broad incumbents

• Opportunity Finance Network: Opportunity Finance Network is the leading national membership association for CDFIs and an advocacy/capital intermediary for the industry. Comparable as the industry trade body and capital deployment channel serving the broader CDFI ecosystem that Craft3 operates in.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@Craft3
• Facebookfacebook.com/Craft3Org
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/craft3
• Instagraminstagram.com/craft3org
• Xx.com/craft3org

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds3 records

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Craft3