Grow America
Grow America (formerly NDC) is a nonprofit CDFI providing small business loans, New Markets Tax Credit financing, affordable housing equity investment, and professional certification training to underserved communities, small businesses, local governments, and affordable housing developers across 103 communities in the United States.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1990
- HeadquartersNew York, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Grow America does
Grow America (formerly the National Development Council, rebranded in 2023) is a nonprofit Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) founded in 1990 and headquartered in New York City. The organization operates four integrated business lines: (1) direct small business lending through SBA 7(a) loans ($100,000 to $5 million) and the Community Impact Loan Fund (CILF) serving 30+ communities; (2) New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) deployment with $974 million in cumulative allocation to projects in severely distressed census tracts; (3) affordable housing equity investment via the Corporate Equity Fund using LIHTC, Historic Preservation, and Renewable Energy tax credits, with 12,780+ housing units in portfolio across 30 states, Washington DC, and Puerto Rico; and (4) professional training and certification programs (EDFP, HDFP, RHDFP, CIFP) that have credentialed 85,000+ development finance professionals. The organization also provides technical advisory services to local governments, public agencies, and nonprofits across 103 communities.
The business model is hybrid: loan-related net interest income and fees from $3 billion+ in cumulative loan originations, structured deal fees from NMTC equity investments, corporate equity fund syndication fees on affordable housing projects, and certification/training fees (full programs priced at $7,100-$7,400). Customer segments are deliberately diversified across small businesses (with priority for women- and minority-owned and low-to-moderate-income community businesses), community development project sponsors, affordable housing developers, local governments, and nonprofit organizations. Distribution combines a self-serve online loan application platform, an inside sales team of dedicated lenders, a partner referral network spanning major financial institutions (Morgan Stanley, Wells Fargo, Chase, PNC, City National Bank) and grassroots community organizations, and direct field engagement for NMTC and affordable housing projects. The technology stack is not publicly disclosed, and the organization emphasizes a high-touch, relationship-driven lending model that considers the "story behind each business" rather than algorithmic underwriting.
Grow America's customer base is highly fragmented (no disclosed anchor customer, individual loans capped at $5M), with revenue diversified across lending, tax credit deployment, training, and advisory fees. The organization is governed as a nonprofit with multiple wholly-owned program subsidiaries (Grow America Fund, CILF, Corporate Equity Fund, NMTC Program) and has accumulated 35+ years of operational history, a national footprint, and institutional relationships that together form the basis of its competitive position in the niche CDFI and community development lending market.
Grow America firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Grow America
- Legal name
- Grow America
- Website
- https://growamerica.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1990
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Grow America (formerly NDC) is a nonprofit CDFI providing small business loans, New Markets Tax Credit financing, affordable housing equity investment, and professional certification training to underserved communities, small businesses, local governments, and affordable housing developers across 103 communities in the United States.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Grow America industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Community Development Finance
- NAICS
- Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Educational Services (611), Educational Support Services (611710)
- SIC
- Federal & Federally-Sponsored Credit Agencies (6111)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Impact Investing & Social Finance (Funds, CDFIs, Microfinance) (BPAGALAA)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- SBA/Government-Backed & Development Finance Loans (FSAKAGAI)
Keywords
Where Grow America is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- New York
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Grow America business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- SBA 7(a) Loans: Grow America originates SBA 7(a) loans ranging from $100,000 to $5 million for small businesses. Interest rates are competitive and determined during the application process. Terms extend up to 10 years for working capital/equipment or up to 25 years for real estate acquisition.
- Community Impact Loan Fund (CILF): Specialized loan programs for small businesses in 30+ communities nationwide, including amounts from $100,000 to $5 million. Supports early-stage businesses, those owned by women or people of color, and those in low-and moderate-income communities.
- New Markets Tax Credits: Grow America provides $974 million in New Markets Tax Credit allocation to bring investment to low-income communities. They help structure financing for projects in severely distressed census tracts and work with other NMTC partners to bring additional allocation.
- Corporate Equity Fund - Affordable Housing: Syndicated multi-investor funds providing equity capital for construction and rehabilitation of affordable housing using Low-Income Housing, Historic Preservation and Renewable Energy Tax Credits. Portfolio includes over 12,780 units of housing.
- Professional Training and Certifications: Grow America offers professional development training including EDFP, HDFP, RHDFP, and CIFP certifications. Training fees range from $1,700-$1,850 per course or $7,100-$7,400 for full certification programs.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | SBA 7(a) Loans: $100,000 - $5 million |
| Subscription | Monthly | Community Impact Loan Fund: $100,000 - $5 million |
| Subscription | Monthly | General Business Loans: $10,000 - $5 million |
| Subscription | Annual | EDFP Certification: $7,100 - $7,400 full program |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Recertification Fee: $250 |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels13 records
Grow America product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Grow America is a nonprofit Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) that provides small business lending (SBA 7(a) loans and the Community Impact Loan Fund), affordable housing equity investment through tax credit programs (New Markets Tax Credits, Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, Historic and Renewable Energy Tax Credits), and professional training and certifications. The company also offers technical advisory services that help local governments, nonprofits, and developers structure financing for community and economic development projects.
Product overview
Grow America (formerly NDC) is a community development financial institution (CDFI) offering a multi-product financial services platform centered on small business lending, affordable housing development, and professional training. The core lending portfolio includes SBA 7(a) loans ($100,000–$5 million) and the Community Impact Loan Fund serving 30+ communities nationwide. The Grow America Corporate Equity Fund manages affordable housing equity investments using tax credit programs. The company also operates professional education through certification programs (EDFP, HDFP, RHDFP, CIFP) and the SEED Academy for real estate developer training. Additional offerings include New Markets Tax Credits (NMTC) with $974 million allocation, Technical Assistance advisory services, the Entrepreneur Academy for small business owners, a Community Partner Toolkit with marketing resources, and a Small Business Gift Guide marketplace. These products work together to provide a continuum of capital access, capacity building, and community development support.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- SBA 7(a) Loans
- Community Impact Loan Fund (CILF)
- New Markets Tax Credits Program
- Grow America Corporate Equity Fund
- Professional Training and Certifications
- Entrepreneur Academy
- SEED Academy
- Technical Assistance Services
Quantifiable outcome
- Loans from $10,000 to $5 million with terms up to 25 years
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Grow America
Customer profileNamed customers9 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Grow America technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
Grow America partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered major and strategic.
- PrestamosmajorNMTC partner for Sola/Model Z project in Los Angeles, CA. Combined with Grow America's $6.0 million Qualified Equity Investment in the $19.2 million modular housing manufacturing project.
- BlueHub CapitalmajorNMTC partner for Franklin Cummings Technical Institute project in Roxbury, MA. Combined with Grow America's $5.0 million Qualified Equity Investment in the $16.7 million project.
- Consortium AmericamajorNMTC partner for Franklin Cummings Technical Institute project, bringing financing expertise to the $16.7 million education facility development.
- Partners for Common GoodmajorNMTC partner for Franklin Cummings Technical Institute project, collaborating on the $16.7 million nonprofit education facility.
- Homestreet BankstrategicBanking partner that refers clients to Grow America for SBA loans. Beth Cooper, VP/Branch Manager: 'Their mission and common sense approach has been a welcome partnership.'
- Sussex County, DelawarestrategicCounty government partner that co-offers loan programs with Grow America. William Pfaff, Director of Economic Development: 'Our partnership with Grow America allowed us to offer the lowest possible rate and longest possible term to Sussex County businesses.'
- Hispanic Business CenterstrategicSmall Business Development Center that introduced Nuevo Acapulco restaurant to Grow America for SBA 7a loan. Provides free technical assistance to small businesses.
- Greater Southwest Development CorporationstrategicSponsor of Churchview Senior Supportive Living project. Grow America provided $8,777,237 equity investment for the 86-unit senior housing development.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Grow America competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Accion: Accion is a global nonprofit CDFI providing small business loans and advisory services to underserved entrepreneurs in the U.S. It directly mirrors Grow America's mission-driven small business lending model and target borrower segment.
- Grameen America: Grameen America is a nonprofit microfinance organization providing small loans, credit-building, and training to low-income entrepreneurs, predominantly women. It is a direct peer in CDFI-style microlending and financial inclusion.
- Kiva: Kiva is a nonprofit crowdfunding platform extending crowdfunded, 0% interest loans to underserved small businesses and borrowers. It competes in the same 'capital beyond traditional banks' niche using a different distribution model.
- Opportunity Finance Network (OFN): OFN is the national CDFI network and an intermediary providing capital, training, and policy advocacy. It is listed as a trusted Grow America partner and serves as a peer in the CDFI ecosystem.
- Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC): LISC is a major nonprofit CDFI providing loans, equity, and technical assistance for community development, affordable housing, and small business. It is highly comparable to Grow America's Corporate Equity Fund and NMTC deployment.
- Pacific Community Ventures: Pacific Community Ventures is a nonprofit CDFI and impact-investing advisory providing loans and capacity building to small businesses in underserved markets, mirroring Grow America's West Coast small business focus.
- Capital Impact Partners: Capital Impact Partners is a nonprofit CDFI delivering loans, equity investments, and advisory services for community development and underserved communities. It overlaps directly with Grow America's affordable housing and small business programs.
- Calvert Impact Capital: Calvert Impact Capital is a nonprofit CDFI raising capital from institutional investors to finance community organizations and small businesses. It is a direct peer in impact-oriented capital deployment and an explicit Grow America partner.
- Coastal Enterprises Inc. (CEI): CEI is a CDFI providing financing and business advisory to small businesses, with deep NMTC activity. Grow America lists CEI's leadership network (CEI-Boulos) as a recent co-investment partner, indicating direct deal-level overlap.
Emerging players
- RSF Social Finance: RSF Social Finance is a nonprofit financial intermediary providing loans, grants, and impact-investing services with a focus on social enterprises. It overlaps thematically with Grow America's community development lending mission.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Grow America social profiles
Digital presenceGrow America financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Grow America leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles16 records
Grow America subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries4 records
Grow America funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Grow America 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 Grow America
What does Grow America do?
Grow America is a nonprofit Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) that provides small business lending (SBA 7(a) loans and the Community Impact Loan Fund), affordable housing equity investment through tax credit programs (New Markets Tax Credits, Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, Historic and Renewable Energy Tax Credits), and professional training and certifications. The company also offers technical advisory services that help local governments, nonprofits, and developers structure financing for community and economic development projects.
Is Grow America a public or private company?
Grow America is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Grow America founded?
Grow America was founded in 1990. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Grow America based?
Grow America is headquartered in New York, United States, in the North America region.
How does Grow America make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. SBA 7(a) Loans are the primary driver. The others are community Impact Loan Fund (CILF), new Markets Tax Credits, corporate Equity Fund - Affordable Housing and professional Training and Certifications.
Who are Grow America's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Accion, Grameen America, Kiva, Opportunity Finance Network (OFN), Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), Pacific Community Ventures, Capital Impact Partners, Calvert Impact Capital and Coastal Enterprises Inc. (CEI). RSF Social Finance is listed as an emerging player.
Does Grow America have an API?
No public API is recorded for Grow America.
What industry is Grow America in?
Grow America's product category is Community Development Finance. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGALAA, Impact Investing & Social Finance (Funds, CDFIs, Microfinance), with a secondary code of FSAKAGAI, SBA/Government-Backed & Development Finance Loans. Its NAICS code is 81321 and its SIC code is 6111.