Community Loan Fund of the Capital Region
Community Loan Fund of the Capital Region is a nonprofit community development financial institution founded in 1985 that provides small business and nonprofit loans, business training, and incubator services to underserved entrepreneurs across 11 counties in New York's Capital Region.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1985
- HeadquartersAlbany, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Community Loan Fund of the Capital Region does
Community Loan Fund of the Capital Region is a nonprofit community development financial institution (CDFI) incorporated in 1985 and headquartered at 255 Orange St #103, Albany, NY. It operates across 11 counties in New York's Capital Region — Albany, Columbia, Fulton, Greene, Montgomery, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, Warren, and Washington — providing access to capital and business training to nonprofit organizations, small businesses, and entrepreneurs underserved by traditional lenders. The organization pools investments and donations from socially concerned individuals and organizations and re-lends the capital, supplemented by federal CDFI Fund awards and corporate-funder grants such as the $1.24M U.S. Treasury CDFI Fund award received in March 2023.
Its product portfolio consists of Small Business Loans and Nonprofit Loans (core products), the 9-Week Business Planning Course ($275 tuition), the 6-Week Childcare Business Development Course ($225, registered on the Aspire platform and aligned with Quality Stars NY), individual workshops ($15-$275 with scholarships available), and the EDUpreneur Online Learning Platform — a web-based training environment currently undergoing a major redesign announced for 2026. Complementary services include one-on-one mentoring, the ACES Incubator (a physical incubator facility in Albany for women and minority-owned businesses, recognized with the 2022 Albany Business Review DEI in Business Award), and the Community Investment Trust for investor participation.
Go-to-market is community-led, driven by referral partnerships with Legal Aid Society of Northeastern NY, The Legal Project, Albany Law School's Clinic & Justice Center, the University at Albany's Institute of Nonprofit Leadership, GlobalFoundries, ISC2, AARP, Healthy Alliance Network, and the Albany Black Chamber, among others. Distribution combines direct relationship-based lending, virtual training on Zoom, and in-person workshops across the 11-county region. Governance rests with a board of directors and executive leadership including Executive Director Linda MacFarlane, Director of Training and Technical Assistance Destiny Watkins, and Training and Technical Assistance Associate Rose Bordett.
Community Loan Fund of the Capital Region firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Community Loan Fund of the Capital Region
- Legal name
- Community Loan Fund of the Capital Region
- Website
- https://mycommunityloanfund.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1985
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Community Loan Fund of the Capital Region is a nonprofit community development financial institution founded in 1985 that provides small business and nonprofit loans, business training, and incubator services to underserved entrepreneurs across 11 counties in New York's Capital Region.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Community Loan Fund of the Capital Region industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Community Development Financial Services
- NAICS
- Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Civic and Social Organizations (8134)
- SIC
- Federal & Federally-Sponsored Credit Agencies (6111), Short-Term Business Credit Institutions (6153)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Microloans & Working Capital Loans (FSAKAGAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Impact Investing & Social Finance (Funds, CDFIs, Microfinance) (BPAGALAA), Community Foundations (BPAGAKAB), Municipal Finance, Treasury, Budget & Procurement (BPAIACAC)
Keywords
Where Community Loan Fund of the Capital Region is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Albany
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Community Loan Fund of the Capital Region business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Loan Interest Income: As a community development financial institution (CDFI), the organization generates revenue through interest on loans provided to nonprofits and small businesses. It pools investments and donations from socially concerned individuals and organizations, and re-lends this capital to borrowers.
- Training Program Fees: Revenue generated from fee-based training courses including the 9-Week Business Planning Course ($275), 6-Week Childcare Business Development Course ($225), and various workshops ($15-$275). Scholarships are available for income-eligible participants.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | 9-Week Business Planning Course |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | 6-Week Childcare Business Development Course |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Email Marketing Workshop |
| Hybrid | Pay-as-you-go | Business Blueprint Workshop |
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Small Business Legal Clinic |
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Cybersecurity Health Check |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
Community Loan Fund of the Capital Region product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Community Loan Fund of the Capital Region is a nonprofit community development financial institution (CDFI) that pools investments and donations from socially concerned individuals and organizations and re-lends this capital to nonprofit organizations and small businesses in New York State's Capital Region. It complements its lending with a comprehensive training and technical assistance ecosystem, including business planning courses, childcare business development, workshops, online learning (EDUpreneur), one-on-one mentoring, an incubator (ACES), and a community investment trust.
Product overview
Community Loan Fund of the Capital Region is a nonprofit community development financial institution providing a comprehensive suite of financial and training products. The core offerings include Small Business Loans and Nonprofit Loans for access to capital, complemented by an extensive training ecosystem consisting of the 9-Week Business Planning Course, 6-Week Childcare Business Development Course, EDUpreneur Online Learning Platform, One-on-one Mentoring, and individual Workshops. Additional programs include the ACES Incubator for women and minority-owned businesses and the Community Investment Trust for investor participation.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- ACES Incubator: Albany Center of Economic Success - An incubator facility providing fully furnished and equipped office space for women and minority-owned small business and non-profit organizations looking to grow their entities.
- EDUpreneur
- Community Investment Trust
Products and services
- Small Business Loans Access to capital financing for small businesses, including loans for equipment, real estate, working capital, and business expansion across the 11-county Capital Region of New York.
- Nonprofit Loans Financing solutions for nonprofit organizations to support operations, capital improvements, real estate, and community programs in the Capital Region of New York.
- 9-Week Business Planning Course Intensive 9-week virtual training course teaching fundamental business planning concepts for entrepreneurs and small business owners. Includes class materials and is offered virtually via Zoom.
- 6-Week Childcare Business Development Course Business development course for childcare industry entrepreneurs covering business planning, HR for childcare, and marketing strategies. Includes 6 sessions and qualifies as a Quality Assured Tier 1 course on the Aspire platform.
- EDUpreneur Online Learning Platform Free online training platform providing courses and resources for entrepreneurs and small business owners, with an upcoming major redesign to enhance user experience.
- One-on-One Mentoring Individual mentoring sessions provided by Community Loan Fund staff to help entrepreneurs develop their business plans and achieve their goals.
- ACES Incubator (Albany Center of Economic Success) Business incubator providing fully furnished and equipped office space for women and minority-owned small businesses and nonprofit organizations looking to grow their entities.
- Community Investment Trust Investment opportunity allowing individuals and organizations to invest in the Loan Fund to support community development lending.
- Workshops Single-session workshops covering various business topics including email marketing, cybersecurity, business planning, cash flow management, legal issues, digital marketing, and more.
Quantifiable outcome
- Supported opening of second location at 85% capacity within 3 months
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Community Loan Fund of the Capital Region
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Community Loan Fund of the Capital Region technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Community Loan Fund of the Capital Region partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Healthy Alliance NetworkminorPartnership announced to support community health and economic development initiatives in the Capital Region.
- Legal Aid Society of Northeastern NY (LASNNY)corePartnership to offer free legal clinics for small business owners and entrepreneurs. LASNNY conducts eligibility screening and provides volunteer attorneys for confidential 45-minute legal consultations on NYS legal formation, business contract review, and service contract review.
- Global FoundriesminorCorporate partnership supporting the free legal clinic program for small businesses in the Capital Region.
- The Legal ProjectcorePrimary partner hosting the Small Business Legal Network Clinic, providing free legal consultations with attorneys for people interested in starting or expanding a small business.
- Albany Law School (Clinic & Justice Center)corePartnership providing law students and attorneys for the Small Business Legal Network Clinic, offering free 30-minute legal consultations via Zoom.
- Institute of Nonprofit Leadership and Community Development at the University at AlbanyminorAcademic partnership supporting the Small Business Legal Network Clinic program.
- IgniteU NYminorPartnership for in-person workshops such as 'Understanding Your Finances & How to Apply for Capital' for entrepreneurs and small business owners.
- AARPminorPartnership to present 'Work For Yourself at 50+' workshops helping older adults explore entrepreneurship and business startup.
- ISC2minorPartnership to provide free Cybersecurity Health Checks for small businesses and nonprofits. ISC2 volunteers (world's largest cybersecurity association) help businesses understand and minimize cyber risk.
- Quality Stars NYminorEducation standard partnership allowing childcare professionals to be eligible for professional development hours and apply for scholarship funds through the Quality Stars NY program upon completing the 6-Week Childcare Business Development Course.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Community Loan Fund of the Capital Region competitors and assessment
Company assessmentRegional players
- Excelsior Growth Fund: New York-based nonprofit CDFI providing loans and advisory services to small businesses and nonprofits, directly overlapping the Loan Fund's Capital Region market and target segments of underserved borrowers.
- Vermont Community Loan Fund: Regional CDFI delivering small business and nonprofit loans plus business advising in a defined geography, similar in scale, mission, and bundled services to the Capital Region Loan Fund.
- Adirondack Community Trust: Upstate New York nonprofit community foundation with grantmaking and impact-investing programs serving overlapping geographies and borrower constituencies in New York's northern regions.
Direct peers
- Grameen America: National nonprofit microfinance organization providing small-dollar loans and training to low-income entrepreneurs, comparable in mission, microloan product structure, and bundled training model.
- Accion Opportunity Fund: Community development financial institution offering small business loans, coaching, and training to underserved entrepreneurs across the U.S., closely mirroring the Loan Fund's capital-plus-technical-assistance model.
- Nonprofit Finance Fund: National CDFI that lends to and builds capacity with nonprofits, directly comparable to the Loan Fund's nonprofit lending and advisory work.
- Craft3: Northwest U.S. CDFI providing loans, technical assistance, and training to nonprofits, small businesses, and entrepreneurs — a strong structural analog despite geography.
- TruFund Financial Services: National CDFI providing loans and advisory services to small businesses and nonprofits in underserved communities, with a similar mission-driven, bundled-services approach.
Broad incumbents
- Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC): Large national CDFI with extensive small-business and nonprofit lending programs and local offices; competes for the same borrowers and federal CDFI funding pool but at significantly greater scale.
Others
- Opportunity Finance Network: National CDFI industry association that channels federal funding and capacity-building resources to member CDFIs including Community Loan Fund, making it both a peer ecosystem participant and a critical partner.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Community Loan Fund of the Capital Region social profiles
Digital presenceCommunity Loan Fund of the Capital Region financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Community Loan Fund of the Capital Region leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Community Loan Fund of the Capital Region subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries3 records
Community Loan Fund of the Capital Region funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds2 records
Investors2 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Community Loan Fund of the Capital Region M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Community Loan Fund of the Capital Region
What does Community Loan Fund of the Capital Region do?
Community Loan Fund of the Capital Region is a nonprofit community development financial institution (CDFI) that pools investments and donations from socially concerned individuals and organizations and re-lends this capital to nonprofit organizations and small businesses in New York State's Capital Region. It complements its lending with a comprehensive training and technical assistance ecosystem, including business planning courses, childcare business development, workshops, online learning (EDUpreneur), one-on-one mentoring, an incubator (ACES), and a community investment trust.
Is Community Loan Fund of the Capital Region a public or private company?
Community Loan Fund of the Capital Region is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Community Loan Fund of the Capital Region founded?
Community Loan Fund of the Capital Region was founded in 1985. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Community Loan Fund of the Capital Region based?
Community Loan Fund of the Capital Region is headquartered in Albany, United States, in the North America region.
How does Community Loan Fund of the Capital Region make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Loan Interest Income is the primary driver. The others are training Program Fees.
Who are Community Loan Fund of the Capital Region's main competitors?
Regional players on record are Excelsior Growth Fund, Vermont Community Loan Fund and Adirondack Community Trust. Direct peers are Grameen America, Accion Opportunity Fund, Nonprofit Finance Fund, Craft3 and TruFund Financial Services. Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) is listed as a broad incumbent. Opportunity Finance Network is listed as an others.
Does Community Loan Fund of the Capital Region have an API?
No public API is recorded for Community Loan Fund of the Capital Region.
What industry is Community Loan Fund of the Capital Region in?
Community Loan Fund of the Capital Region's product category is Community Development Financial Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSAKAGAA, Microloans & Working Capital Loans, with a secondary code of BPAGALAA, Impact Investing & Social Finance (Funds, CDFIs, Microfinance). Its NAICS code is 81321 and its SIC code is 6111.