PeopleFund.org

What PeopleFund.org does

PeopleFund.org is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) and SBA-certified lender headquartered in Austin, Texas, providing small business loans, business education, and advisory services to underserved entrepreneurs across the state. Founded in 1994 as Austin Community Development Corporation, it operates 11 physical offices statewide — Austin, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, Fort Worth, El Paso, Lubbock, Laredo, Edinburg, Lufkin, and Waco — delivering a multi-product loan portfolio that includes SBA 504 loans (up to $5M), SBA 7A Community Advantage loans (up to $250K), SBA Microloans (up to $50K), Flash Funds (up to $25K), disaster relief loans, and specialized county-funded programs such as the Harris County Opportunity Fund and Travis County TCTX Thrive 3.0. Beyond lending, the organization runs the PeopleFund Small Business Accelerator, Military Connected Small Business Accelerator, PeopleVET veteran entrepreneur program, PeopleTalk speaker series, PeopleFlourish women entrepreneur luncheons, and the Verizon Small Business Digital Ready partnership. PeopleFund is also the managing member of the Veteran Loan Fund, a national CDFI consortium serving veteran entrepreneurs in 15+ states.

The business model is built on net interest income from the loan portfolio, supported by a diversified capital stack that includes PeopleInvest social investment notes ($10K–$1M at 1.5–3% returns over 3–7 years), federal grants (six U.S. Treasury CDFI Fund Awards, $2.48M in 2023, $2M EDA CARES Act in 2021), foundation grants (a $12M MacKenzie Scott Yield Giving gift in 2024, historic Truist Foundation grants, Wells Fargo Diverse Community Capital Award), and county government capital. Customer base skews heavily toward low-to-moderate-income Texas small businesses (53% startups, 62% minority-owned, 42% women-owned, 14% veteran-owned). Distribution is hybrid: direct field lending officers across 11 offices, an online pre-application portal, accelerator cohort funnels, and embedded partnerships with Travis County, Harris County, the City of Eagle Pass, the SBA, and veteran-serving organizations including the UT Arlington Veterans Business Outreach Center and Veteran Women's Enterprise Center. The organization maintains an Aeris ★★★ A+ rating (held since 2005, one of the first seven CDFIs ever rated) and reports cumulative impact of $1.4B+ deployed to 6,000+ businesses creating or retaining 25,000+ jobs.

Technology footprint is intentionally lean: a borrower portal mobile app (Google Play and App Store), LivePlan business planning software integration for accelerator participants, Constant Contact for email marketing, Google Translate for Spanish localization, and Google Calendar for event subscriptions. There is no evidence of proprietary AI/ML deployment in underwriting, servicing, or education delivery. Leadership includes President & CEO Gustavo Lasala (prior executive at LiftFund, Oportun, and Opportunity Fund), CFO Anthony Hedger (prior roles at Rolls Royce maritime, Petronas, Vodafone, and CFS Bank), and CIO Fernando Almanza (prior roles at Citigroup, Deloitte, Accenture, Scotiabank, and Gallagher). The organization completed its first documented CDFI consolidation with McLennan Community Investment Fund (McCIF) effective October 1, 2025, and announced the national Veteran & Military Spouse Business Accelerator in April 2026 supported by Truist Foundation.

Name

PeopleFund.org

Legal name

PeopleFund

Website

https://peoplefund.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

PeopleFund.org is a Texas-based nonprofit CDFI and SBA-certified lender providing small business loans, microloans, business education, and accelerators to underserved Texas entrepreneurs across 11 offices, also managing the national Veteran Loan Fund consortium.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Development Lending

NAICS

Finance and Insurance (52), Other Grantmaking and Giving Services (813219)

SIC

Short-Term Business Credit Institutions (6153), Mortgage Bankers & Loan Correspondents (6162)

akta.pro primary industry

SBA/Government-Backed & Development Finance Loans (FSAKAGAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Microloans & Working Capital Loans (FSAKAGAA), Impact Investing & Social Finance (Funds, CDFIs, Microfinance) (BPAGALAA)

Keywords

• Small business lending
• Community development lending
• SBA loans
• Microfinance services
• Business education programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Austin

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices11 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Loan Interest Income: PeopleFund generates primary revenue through interest payments on its small business loans. Loan products include PeopleFund Loans (up to $5M), SBA 504 Loans (up to $5M), SBA 7A Community Advantage (up to $250K), SBA Microloans (up to $50K), Flash Funds (up to $25K), Harris County Opportunity Fund loans ($5K–$250K), disaster relief loans, and the City of Eagle Pass Downtown Revolving Loan Fund. Interest rates vary from 5% (disaster relief) to 7–15% (standard loans), with special rate discounts for veterans. Terms extend up to 84 months on standard loans. As a nonprofit CDFI, any surplus is reinvested into the mission.
2. PeopleInvest Social Investment Program: PeopleFund raises capital from individuals, foundations, and faith-based institutions through its PeopleInvest social investment product. Investors make loans to PeopleFund earning 1.5–3% interest over terms of 3–7 years, with minimum investments of $10,000 and maximum of $1,000,000. Investors can designate geographic or programmatic focus for their capital. Funds raised are deployed as small business loans. This is a capital来源 — not traditional equity investment — that expands PeopleFund's lending capacity.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

PeopleFund is a nonprofit Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) and SBA-certified lender that provides small business loans ranging from microloans up to $5M to underserved entrepreneurs, startups, and nonprofits across Texas. Offerings include SBA 504 loans, SBA 7A Community Advantage loans, SBA microloans, Flash Funds quick loans, disaster relief loans, and Harris County Opportunity Fund loans, bundled with free business advising, accelerator programs, and education services.

Product overview

PeopleFund is a nonprofit Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) and SBA lender offering a comprehensive suite of financial products and business development programs for small businesses across Texas. The core lending portfolio includes small business loans, SBA 504 loans, SBA 7A Community Advantage loans, SBA Microloans, Flash Funds, and Disaster Relief loans. Specialized programs include the PeopleFund Small Business Accelerator (8-week training with up to $50,000 loans and $3,000-$5,000 grants), Military Connected Small Business Accelerator, PeopleVET veteran program, Harris County Opportunity Fund, and Travis County 3.0 Thrive. Educational offerings encompass Business Advising, PeopleTalk speaker series, PeopleFlourish women's networking, Verizon Digital Ready Program, and PeopleInvest social investment opportunities. PeopleFund also manages the Veteran Loan Fund, a national CDFI consortium that has deployed over $110 million to veteran entrepreneurs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Veteran Loan Fund (VLF): National effort of Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) advancing economic opportunity for military-connected entrepreneurs, managed by PeopleFund
• PeopleFund Small Business Accelerator
• Military Connected Small Business Accelerator
• PeopleVET
• PeopleInvest
• Flash Funds

Products and services

• PeopleFund Small Business Loans Flexible financing up to $5M at 7-15% interest with terms up to 84 months for existing small businesses, startups, and nonprofit organizations across Texas. Includes equipment purchases, permanent working capital term loans, revolving lines of credit, real estate acquisition, and leasehold improvements.
• SBA 504 Loan SBA 504 loan for procurement of long-term assets such as land, buildings, and equipment with useful life of at least 10 years, financing up to 40% of project cost at competitive fixed rates over 10, 20, or 25 years. Loan amounts up to $5M ($5.5M for manufacturing).
• SBA 7A Community Advantage Loan SBA 7A loans designed to meet credit, management, and technical assistance needs of small businesses in underserved markets, offering loans up to $250,000.
• SBA Microloan Startup business microloan up to $50,000 for entrepreneurs in business less than two years, including the MICRO technical assistance program for skill development.
• Flash Funds Quick-access loans up to $25,000 with streamlined process and quick turnaround for small businesses needing capital urgently. Requires minimum 600 credit score. Low interest rates and fees with no prepayment penalties.
• Harris County Opportunity Fund 5-year pilot lending program providing low-interest capital of $5,000 to $250,000 for small businesses in Harris County with 2% interest rate reduction and no closing fees. Designed for equitable underwriting to improve access for minority and women-owned enterprises.
• Disaster Relief Loans

Quantifiable outcome

• Direct economic impact of $1.4B+ since inception, supporting 6,000+ businesses and 25,000+ jobs
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers12 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

Integration6 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.

• McLennan Community Investment Fund (McCIF)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2025PeopleFund and McLennan Community Investment Fund (McCIF) announced consolidation effective October 1, 2025, with McCIF's mission integrated into PeopleFund's Waco office. The consolidation strengthens PeopleFund's Central Texas presence and adds McCIF Executive Director Cris Houston to PeopleFund's leadership team.
• Entre CapitalmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 April 2025PeopleFund and Entre Capital (both Texas CDFIs) partnered to expand access to capital for people returning from incarceration across Texas — advancing restorative justice through entrepreneurship.
• Veteran Loan Fund (VLF)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021PeopleFund is the managing member of the Veteran Loan Fund, a national CDFI consortium (including Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs GA, Ascendus NY, Appalachian Community Capital VA, BBIF FL, Business Impact Northwest WA, Colorado Enterprise Fund CO, DreamSpring NM, ECDI OH, Justine Petersen MO, Pathway Lending TN, Pursuit NJ, WWBIC WI, and members of African American Alliance of CDFI CEOs). VLF has raised ~$30M and deployed $110M+ in small business loans to 1,500+ veteran entrepreneurs, supporting ~8,000 jobs nationwide.
• University of Texas at Arlington Veterans Business Outreach Center (UTAVBOC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUT Arlington VBOC leads curriculum and content delivery for the Military Connected Small Business Accelerator. PeopleFund partnered with UTAVBOC to launch the inaugural cohort and continues as a core content delivery partner.
• Veteran Women's Enterprise Center (VWEC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVWEC co-leads curriculum and content delivery for the Military Connected Small Business Accelerator alongside UTAVBOC, with a focus on women veteran and military spouse entrepreneurs.
• Travis CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTravis County selected PeopleFund to lead TCTX Thrive 3.0, a free small-business support program funded by Travis County. PeopleFund provides education and coaching; Roads Consulting Group delivers business coaching services. Program includes up to $5,000 grant for Travis County Small Business Accelerator graduates.
• Harris CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHarris County partnered with PeopleFund to establish the Harris County Opportunity Fund (HCOF), a 5-year pilot revolving loan fund. PeopleFund underwrites and originates loans ranging $5K–$250K with a 2% interest rate reduction and no closing fees. All applicants receive free technical assistance.
• Roads Consulting GroupmajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerRoads Consulting Group is the trusted local business support provider delivering education and coaching services for the Travis County TCTX Thrive 3.0 program.
• VerizonmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerPeopleFund partnered with Verizon to offer clients free access to the Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Platform — a no-cost online curriculum covering operations, marketing, finance, and more, with coaching, mentorship, and peer networking.
• City of Eagle PassminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCity of Eagle Pass partnered with PeopleFund to implement the Downtown Revolving Loan Fund (DRFL), providing low-interest financing for new businesses in the Central Business District with emphasis on Main Street.
• SBA Disaster LoansminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPeopleFund provides guidance on SBA disaster loans as part of its free specialized support for disaster-impacted businesses, serving as a referral channel to SBA programs.

Scale indicators19 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• LiftFund: Texas/Southwest-based nonprofit CDFI providing small business loans and education to underserved entrepreneurs. LiftFund is the closest direct peer in geography, product mix (microloans, SBA programs), and customer segment; PeopleFund's CEO Gustavo Lasala was previously a LiftFund executive.
• Accion Opportunity Fund: California-headquartered nonprofit CDFI (formed from the merger of Opportunity Fund and Accion U.S.) providing small business loans, coaching, and accelerator programs to LMI and minority entrepreneurs; Gustava Lasala also previously led Opportunity Fund, and the organization is a direct comparable in product and target segment.
• DreamSpring: New Mexico-based nonprofit CDFI providing microloans and small business financing to underserved entrepreneurs; a member of the Veteran Loan Fund consortium alongside PeopleFund, with very similar SBA microloan and community lending programs.
• BBIF (Black Business Investment Fund): Florida-based nonprofit CDFI providing small business loans and capital to minority entrepreneurs; VLF consortium member with comparable micro/SBA lending programs and minority-owned business focus.
• ECDI (Economic & Community Development Institute): Ohio-based nonprofit CDFI offering small business loans, coaching, and incubation to underserved entrepreneurs; VLF consortium member with directly overlapping SBA microloan and accelerator products.
• WWBIC (Wisconsin Women's Business Initiative Corporation): Wisconsin-based nonprofit CDFI focused on small business lending and education for women and minority entrepreneurs; VLF member and direct product/customer comparable with similar SBA microlending focus.

Broad incumbents

• Kiva: Global nonprofit crowdfunding/P2P microlending platform that lends to underserved small businesses and nonprofits; comparable in mission and target borrower but operates via crowdfunded 0% loans rather than balance-sheet CDFI lending.
• Grameen America: National nonprofit microfinance organization providing small group-lending and financial services to women entrepreneurs in low-income U.S. communities; broader incumbent in mission-aligned microenterprise lending.

Emerging players

• Entre Capital: Texas-based CDFI focused on entrepreneurship for people returning from incarceration; an emerging direct peer with regional overlap and a recently announced strategic partnership with PeopleFund on reentry lending.

Regional players

• BCL of Texas (Business & Community Lenders of Texas): Texas-based nonprofit CDFI providing SBA microloans and small business financing to underserved entrepreneurs across Texas; a regional peer with overlapping product set and Texas geography but smaller scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/PeopleFund
• Facebookfacebook.com/peoplefund
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/peoplefund
• Instagraminstagram.com/peoplefund
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@PeopleFundTexas

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds3 records

Investors3 records

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 PeopleFund.org