Community Investment Corporation

What Community Investment Corporation does

Community Investment Corporation (CIC) is a Tucson, Arizona-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1996 that operates a multi-program community development finance platform organized around three pillars: Homeownership, Entrepreneurship, and Education. Its homeownership offerings include a federally-designated Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC) program — through which it has issued 8,500+ certificates to first-time buyers in Pima County — and Down Payment Assistance Programs providing 2-20% of purchase price as deferred second mortgages. Its small business financing stack spans CIC Small Business Loans ($500-$100,000, 6.5-10% interest), STAC revenue-based financing (up to $50,000 with 1.24x cap, powered by Common Future and Ned), Kiva Southern Arizona Hub microloans (0% interest up to $15,000), a BIPOC Loan Fund (up to $10,000 at 3%), a Green Loan Fund (up to $25,000 at 3%), and the Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity Microbusiness Loan Program. Its education pillar includes My Schools Tucson (a family-facing school locator platform), Bond Compliance services for charter schools, and the Bright Futures AZ childcare business support initiative with YWCA and United Way. CIC also manages the Rising Arizona Investor Network (RAIN) and the Arizona Capital Access Program (AZ CAP).

CIC generates revenue through loan interest and origination fees on its portfolio products (cumulatively $18M+ lent to 297+ Arizona businesses, with 85%+ supporting underrepresented founders), MCC enrollment and renewal fees ($1,000 one-time plus $100 annual), and grant funding from sources including JPMorgan Chase ($10M loan in February 2026), US EDA ($300K in November 2023), the Nasdaq Foundation, the Arizona Commerce Authority, and community partners. It does not operate a proprietary technology platform; its underwriting is relationship-driven through a 15-20 person team, with technology partnerships (Ned, Common Future) providing transactional infrastructure. The organization operates exclusively in Arizona (HQ at 2033 E. Grant Road, Tucson; lending and program delivery across Pima, Pinal, Santa Cruz, Cochise, Graham, Greenlee, and Yuma counties) and is governed under the Pima Industrial Development Authority alongside sister organizations Family Housing Resources and Southern Arizona Land Trust.

Name

Community Investment Corporation

Legal name

Community Investment Corporation

Website

https://cictucson.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Community Investment Corporation is a Tucson-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1996 that provides loans, down payment assistance, and financial education to first-time homebuyers, small businesses, charter schools, and underserved entrepreneurs across seven Arizona counties.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Development Lending

NAICS

Credit Unions (52213)

SIC

Personal Credit Institutions (6141), Miscellaneous Business Credit Institution (6159)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Credit Unions (Retail/Consumer Focus) (FSABAEAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Community Center Education Programs (EDAAAFAB)

Keywords

• Community development lending
• Small business loans
• Down payment assistance
• Mortgage credit certificates
• Nonprofit financial services

Headquarters

HQ city

Tucson

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Loan Interest and Fees: CIC generates revenue through interest charged on loans (ranging from 0% for Kiva microloans to 10% for standard small business loans) and origination/closing fees on loan products.
2. Program Fees (MCC): Revenue from Mortgage Credit Certificate program enrollment fees and annual renewal fees ($1,000 one-time fee, $100 annual renewal).
3. Grant Funding: CIC receives grant funding from foundations and government programs to support operations and expand lending capacity, including funding from Nasdaq Foundation.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Community Investment Corporation (CIC) is a Tucson-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit community lender that provides small business loans ($500–$100,000), revenue-based financing, crowdfunded microloans, down payment assistance, mortgage credit certificates, and tax-exempt bond compliance services for charter schools in Southern Arizona. Its offerings are structured around three pillars: Homeownership, Entrepreneurship, and Family/School Engagement.

Product overview

Community Investment Corporation (CIC) is a Tucson-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that operates a multi-program platform organized around three pillars: homeownership assistance, small business financing, and family/school engagement. The homeownership offerings include the Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC) Program for tax credits and Down Payment Assistance Programs (PimaTucson Homebuyer's Solution and HOME DPA). Small business financing spans multiple products including CIC Small Business Loans ($500-$100,000), STAC Revenue-Based Financing (up to $50,000), Kiva Southern Arizona Hub microloans (up to $15,000 at 0%), BIPOC Loan Fund (up to $10,000), Green Loan Fund (up to $25,000 for sustainability), and participation in the Arizona Microbusiness Loan Program. The education pillar includes My Schools Tucson (school locator), Bond Compliance services for charter schools, and the Let's Talk Small Biz Finance podcast. CIC also manages the Rising Arizona Investor Network (RAIN) for investor education and the Arizona Capital Access Program (AZ CAP) for equity capital access.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• My Schools Tucson: A family-focused online resource platform and school locator designed to support Pima County parents in creating the best educational experience for their children.
• Bright Futures AZ
• Kiva Southern Arizona Hub

Products and services

• Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC) Program A federal tax credit program for first-time homebuyers in Pima County that allows claimants to receive up to $2,000 annually in mortgage interest as a tax credit, potentially saving $50,000 over the life of a mortgage.
• Down Payment Assistance Programs Two down payment assistance programs (PimaTucson Homebuyer's Solution offering 2%-5% and HOME offering up to 20% up to $50,000) that help first-time homebuyers cover upfront costs to purchase homes in Pima County.
• CIC Small Business Loans Revolving term loans ranging from $500 to $100,000 with 1-5 year terms and 6.5%-10% interest rates for Southern Arizona small businesses and nonprofits.
• STAC Revenue-Based Financing Success Through Alternative Capital (STAC) revenue-based financing providing advances up to $50,000 with payments that fluctuate based on business revenue, featuring a 1.24x repayment cap over 3-5 years.
• Kiva Southern Arizona Hub Crowdfunded microloans program in partnership with Kiva US providing 0% interest loans from $1,000 to $15,000 over 1-3 years for Southern Arizona entrepreneurs.
• BIPOC Loan Fund A video storytelling-based loan program for Arizona BIPOC-owned businesses, providing up to $10,000 at 3% interest over 1-4 years, reviewed by a community committee.
• Green Loan Fund A sustainability-focused loan program in partnership with Local First Arizona for Green Business Boot Camp graduates, offering up to $25,000 at 3% interest for energy and water efficiency upgrades.
• Bond Compliance Tax-exempt bond compliance and reporting services for charter schools, including compliance plans, stakeholder reporting, and regulatory disclosures.
• Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity Microbusiness Loan Program A state program partnered with CIC to provide funding for Arizona's smallest businesses, strengthening local economies and supporting entrepreneurs.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 85% of loans support underrepresented founders
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

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

• Pima IDA (Industrial Development Authority)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPima IDA established CIC as one of three 501(c)(3) agencies to advance community development missions in Pima County. This foundational relationship enables CIC's charter school bond program and other community lending initiatives.
• Family Housing Resources (FHR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSister organization sharing a mission of community development. FHR and CIC collaborate on housing-related programs and community investment initiatives in Southern Arizona.
• Southern Arizona Land Trust (SALT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSister organization focused on land preservation and community development. SALT and CIC work together on community investment and preservation initiatives in the region.
• KivacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCIC serves as the local Kiva Hub for Southern Arizona, facilitating crowdfunded microloans up to $15,000 at 0% interest. This partnership enables access to capital for entrepreneurs underserved by traditional financing.
• YWCA of Southern ArizonamajorGTM or Marketing PartnerCollaborates with CIC on Bright Futures programming, providing financial education and resources to families with school-age children in Southern Arizona communities.
• United Way of Tucson and Southern ArizonamajorGTM or Marketing PartnerStrategic partner in Bright Futures collaboration, connecting CIC with community resources and families in need of financial education and lending services.
• Local First ArizonaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership focused on Green Loan Fund collaboration, promoting sustainable business practices among local first businesses in Arizona.
• Common FuturemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommon Future powers CIC's STAC revenue-based financing program, providing the technical infrastructure and network connections for alternative lending to underserved entrepreneurs.
• Arizona Commerce AuthoritymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSSBCI lender collaboration partner supporting CIC's lending programs with state-level resources and programmatic support for small business financing initiatives.
• Groundswell CapitalmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMicrobusiness Loan Program collaboration, working with CIC to provide access to capital for very small businesses and entrepreneurs in Arizona communities.
• BIPOC Loan Fund CommitteemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative committee supporting CIC's BIPOC Loan Fund, providing program guidance and resources for lending to Black, Indigenous, and people of color entrepreneurs.
• Head StartsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEducation program partnership delivering financial education and family engagement services through Head Start programs across Southern Arizona.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Kiva US: Kiva is a global nonprofit crowdfunding platform for 0% interest microloans; CIC is the Southern Arizona Kiva Hub. Directly comparable on the Kiva microloan product, borrower profile, and 0% interest underwriting model, though Kiva is the platform and CIC operates as a regional steward and originator.
• Common Future: Common Future powers CIC's STAC revenue-based financing program and connects CDFIs to capital. Comparable as a peer CDFI ecosystem builder running alternative lending products for underserved entrepreneurs, particularly through the STAC RBF infrastructure.
• RSF Social Finance: RSF Social Finance is a nonprofit financial organization providing loans, grants, and investment services to social enterprises and mission-driven organizations. Comparable in nonprofit CDFI orientation, focus on social-justice-aligned borrowers, and multi-product (loan + investor education) platform.
• Accion Opportunity Fund: Accion Opportunity Fund is one of the largest U.S. nonprofit CDFIs providing small business loans, revenue-based financing, and advisory services to underserved entrepreneurs. Directly comparable in RBF product, small-dollar small business lending, and BIPOC/underserved borrower focus.
• Coastal Enterprises Inc (CEI): CEI is a Maine-based CDFI providing small business loans, housing financing, and community development capital to underserved communities. Comparable as a multi-product nonprofit CDFI spanning small business, housing, and community economic development.
• Craft3: Craft3 is a Pacific Northwest CDFI providing loans to nonprofits, small businesses, and underrepresented entrepreneurs, with a particular focus on sustainability-aligned borrowers. Comparable in multi-product nonprofit lending, Green/sustainability lending focus, and community-rooted CDFI structure.
• Grameen America: Grameen America is a national microfinance nonprofit providing small-dollar loans to women entrepreneurs in underserved U.S. communities. Comparable in mission (economic opportunity for underserved borrowers), product structure (microloans to microentrepreneurs), and nonprofit CDFI orientation.
• DreamSpring: DreamSpring is a Tucson-headquartered (formerly Northern Arizona Impact Fund) CDFI providing small business loans and capital to underserved entrepreneurs in Arizona and the Southwest. Directly comparable as a community-focused nonprofit small business lender serving similar BIPOC, rural, and low-income borrower segments.

Regional players

• Arizona Community Foundation: Arizona Community Foundation is a statewide community foundation managing philanthropic capital for Arizona nonprofits and community initiatives. Comparable as a regional Arizona-based philanthropic/community capital intermediary, though operating through grants and donor-advised funds rather than direct lending.
• Local First Arizona Foundation: Local First Arizona is a statewide nonprofit supporting Arizona-owned businesses through education, networking, and partnerships, including the Green Business Boot Camp that feeds CIC's Green Loan Fund. Comparable as a regional Arizona small-business support organization partnering with CIC on borrower pipelines.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@cictucson1
• Facebookfacebook.com/cictucson.org
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cictucson
• Instagraminstagram.com/cictucson
• Xx.com/CicTucson

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

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 Community Investment Corporation