The Fountain Fund
The Fountain Fund is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit lender providing low-interest microloans ($250 to $15,000, 5.0% APR) and financial coaching to formerly incarcerated individuals across five U.S. cities, partnering with reentry organizations to enable credit building, transportation, housing, business, and education access.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2016
- HeadquartersCharlottesville, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What The Fountain Fund does
The Fountain Fund is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2016 and headquartered in Charlottesville, Virginia, that provides low-interest microloans and financial coaching to formerly incarcerated individuals to help them build credit and achieve self-determined goals. Its core product is a loan program offering amounts from $250 to $15,000 at a 5.0% standard APR (3.0% for borrowers enrolled in ACH autopay) on roughly 3-year terms, paired with mandatory financial literacy training delivered through online curriculum, group workshops, and one-on-one coaching. Use cases span transportation (vehicle purchase/repair, license reinstatement), housing (rent, deposits, down payments), business startup or expansion, education, debt payoff, and employment-related expenses. As of February 2026, the organization reported a 424-loan active portfolio totaling $2,043,052, with cumulative lending of $5,663,749 to 937-1,075 client partners across Boston, Charlottesville, New Orleans, Philadelphia, and Richmond since 2017 — and $2,651,473 of that capital recycled back into new lending.
The Fountain Fund operates with no proprietary technology platform; loan processing, underwriting, and servicing rely on standard financial systems, with human review conducted by Loan Operations Specialists and a Loan Review Committee. Revenue mechanics are unusual for a company: the entity is sustained primarily through charitable contributions and grants from foundations and corporations (including Bama Works Fund of Dave Matthews Band, Capital One, Arbor Rising, Impact 100 Richmond, and Stand Together Foundation), supplemented by interest income on its loan portfolio at sub-market rates. Customer acquisition is community-led rather than sales-led: client partners are referred through 60+ reentry service provider partnerships in Charlottesville and analogous partner ecosystems in each city — notably Center for Employment Opportunities (co-located in Philadelphia), JOB1 RESTORE, Unity Recovery, Justice 4 Housing, First 72+, and InnerCity Weightlifting — with additional direct intake via an online inquiry form. The go-to-market has expanded from one city at founding to five operating sites plus two 2026 pilot projects announced in Los Angeles and New Haven, underwritten in part by the fund's reported 80% average recycle rate, which re-deploys repaid principal into new loans.
Quoted impact metrics include a 91 Net Promoter Score (top 1% per Bain & Company), 97% of clients not being re-incarcerated, 93% achieving their self-determined loan goal, 96% reporting improved lives, and approximately 75% of loans in good standing — outcomes the organization attributes to its "Check On/Love On" model combining financial products with dignity, relationship-building, and wraparound community connections. Leadership includes Founder Tim Heaphy (former federal prosecutor), Executive Director Erika Viccellio, Board Chair Lorenzo Collins, and a small national and site-level team including Site Directors in each of the five markets.
The Fountain Fund firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Fountain Fund
- Legal name
- The Fountain Fund
- Website
- https://fountainfund.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2016
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- The Fountain Fund is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit lender providing low-interest microloans ($250 to $15,000, 5.0% APR) and financial coaching to formerly incarcerated individuals across five U.S. cities, partnering with reentry organizations to enable credit building, transportation, housing, business, and education access.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Fountain Fund industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Community Development Microfinance
- NAICS
- Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321)
- SIC
- Personal Credit Institutions (6141)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Microloans & Working Capital Loans (FSAKAGAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Secured Microloans (Community/Nonprofit, Collateralized) (FSAKALAJ), Microfinance & Community P2P Lending (FSAKAHAD)
Keywords
Where The Fountain Fund is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Charlottesville
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices5 records
Markets served
The Fountain Fund business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Loan Interest: The Fountain Fund provides low-interest microloans to formerly incarcerated individuals, generating revenue through interest payments on the loan portfolio. Standard rate is 5.0%, reduced to 3.0% for ACH payments. Loans typically have 3-year terms.
- Donations and Grants: The organization receives charitable donations and grants from foundations and corporations to support operations and expand the loan fund. Major grants include $1M from Bama Works, $500K from Capital One, $450K from Arbor Rising, and $100K from Impact 100 Richmond.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Monthly | Standard Loan - 5.0% APR |
| Other | Monthly | ACH Incentive Loan - 3.0% APR |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
The Fountain Fund product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Fountain Fund is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides low-interest microloans ($250 to $15,000) at 5.0% APR (3.0% for ACH autopay) with typical 3-year terms to formerly incarcerated individuals for purposes including transportation, housing, business startup, education, and court debt repayment. Loans are paired with mandatory financial literacy training (online curriculum, group workshops, one-on-one coaching) and connections to community resources across five U.S. cities. Repaid capital is recycled into new loans, creating a revolving microloan fund.
Product overview
The Fountain Fund operates as a single, unified nonprofit lending program rather than a modular platform. Its core offerings consist of low-interest microloans (ranging from $250 to $15,000 at 5.0%/3.0% ACH interest rates), paired with mandatory financial literacy training (online curriculum, workshops, and one-on-one coaching), and community resource connections. The loan program is available across five geographic locations (Charlottesville, Boston, New Orleans, Philadelphia, and Richmond) and supports various purposes including transportation, housing, business startup, education, and court debt repayment. Business loan applicants can also attend weekly virtual policy meetings for guidance through the application process.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Personal Low-Interest Microloan Program
- Business Loan Program
- Financial Education and Coaching
- Community Support and Resource Connections
Quantifiable outcome
- 97% not reincarcerated
- +6 more outcomes
Companies that use The Fountain Fund
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles1 record
The Fountain Fund technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
The Fountain Fund partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- GreenLight FundcoreWith support from GreenLight Fund, The Fountain Fund established a new site in Philadelphia in 2023. GreenLight Fund helps launch proven programs in cities where they can improve lives and strengthen communities.
- Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO)coreThe Fountain Fund shares office space with CEO in Philadelphia. CEO is the nation's largest reentry employment provider, preparing individuals for workforce after incarceration. Strong referral pathways exist in both Philadelphia and New Orleans.
- JOB1 RESTOREcoreJOB1 RESTORE helps individuals bridge employment gaps before or after release from incarceration. Their program equips people with tools for success including training, work readiness, life skills, and supportive services. When Fountain Fund clients need employment support, they are referred to JOB1 RESTORE.
- Unity RecoverycoreUnity Recovery's Entrepreneurial Center (UEC) offers a 13-week training course helping system and substance-use impacted individuals overcome employment barriers. Fountain Fund often provides additional funding to UEC grant recipients to support their business ventures.
- First 72+coreFirst 72+ is a reentry partner in New Orleans offering wrap-around reentry services. When the Fountain Fund launched in New Orleans in 2022, it was through partnership with First 72+. They continue to refer clients and provide comprehensive support services.
- Justice 4 HousingminorJustice 4 Housing works to end housing discrimination and homelessness for individuals impacted by incarceration. Through partnership, The Fountain Fund's first home downpayment loan was issued to a client referred by J4H.
- Network2Work@PVCCminorNetwork2Work connects job seekers in Charlottesville with training and resources to secure meaningful employment. When individuals approach The Fountain Fund for loans without current employment, they are referred to Network2Work first.
- One Stop CvilleminorFounded by Fountain Fund's National Director Martize Tolbert, One Stop Cville brings 60+ service providers together bi-monthly to help returning citizens access multiple services under one roof. Fountain Fund participates and connects clients to this resource hub.
- RAM MotorsminorRAM Motors stocks vehicles meeting Fountain Fund specifications and provides free 6-month warranties for Client Partners. Finding reliable, affordable cars is challenging for the client population, making this partnership essential for transportation loans.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves11 records
Expansion highlights5 records
The Fountain Fund competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- DreamSpring: DreamSpring is a CDFI providing small business microloans and financial education to underrepresented entrepreneurs including those with credit or reentry barriers. Directly comparable loan sizing, mission, and underwriting approach.
- Mission Asset Fund: Mission Asset Fund is a nonprofit microlender that lends to low-income, immigrant, and other financially excluded consumers at 0% interest — directly comparable to The Fountain Fund in mission, lending structure, and target population.
- Grameen America: Grameen America operates as a nonprofit microfinance institution lending to women entrepreneurs in poverty across multiple U.S. cities. Comparable nonprofit structure, microloan program design, and multi-city footprint.
- Kiva: Kiva operates a nonprofit crowdfunded microloan platform primarily for small businesses and underserved borrowers globally. Comparable platform model and target population in microfinance space.
- LiftFund: LiftFund is a nonprofit small business microlender operating across the U.S. South and Southwest — comparable as a multi-city nonprofit microenterprise lender that pairs loans with technical assistance.
- Justine Petersen Housing and Reinvestment Corporation: Justine Petersen is a CDFI and nonprofit lender providing microloans, credit-building, and small business loans to low-income and previously incarcerated individuals across Missouri and Illinois — the closest direct comparable to The Fountain Fund's reentry microfinance model.
Broad incumbents
- Root Capital: Root Capital is a nonprofit agricultural impact lender providing credit and capacity building to small businesses in underserved regions. Comparable nonprofit lender model targeting underserved enterprises, but in a different sector.
- Self-Help Credit Union: Self-Help is one of the largest U.S. CDFIs offering consumer and small business lending, credit-building, and financial education to underserved communities. Overlapping mission and lending products on a much larger scale.
Emerging players
- The Fortune Society: The Fortune Society is a New York-based reentry nonprofit providing housing, employment, education, and advocacy. Comparable target population (formerly incarcerated) and wraparound model though it does not lend directly.
- Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO): CEO is the nation's largest reentry employment nonprofit, providing transitional work, coaching and retention support to formerly incarcerated people. Comparable target population and complementary (rather than overlapping) services to Fountain Fund.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
The Fountain Fund social profiles
Digital presenceThe Fountain Fund compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
The Fountain Fund financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Fountain Fund leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles19 records
The Fountain Fund funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Fountain Fund 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 The Fountain Fund
What does The Fountain Fund do?
The Fountain Fund is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides low-interest microloans ($250 to $15,000) at 5.0% APR (3.0% for ACH autopay) with typical 3-year terms to formerly incarcerated individuals for purposes including transportation, housing, business startup, education, and court debt repayment. Loans are paired with mandatory financial literacy training (online curriculum, group workshops, one-on-one coaching) and connections to community resources across five U.S. cities. Repaid capital is recycled into new loans, creating a revolving microloan fund.
Is The Fountain Fund a public or private company?
The Fountain Fund is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was The Fountain Fund founded?
The Fountain Fund was founded in 2016. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is The Fountain Fund based?
The Fountain Fund is headquartered in Charlottesville, United States, in the North America region.
How does The Fountain Fund make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Loan Interest is the primary driver. The others are donations and Grants.
Who are The Fountain Fund's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are DreamSpring, Mission Asset Fund, Grameen America, Kiva, LiftFund and Justine Petersen Housing and Reinvestment Corporation. Broad incumbents are Root Capital and Self-Help Credit Union. Emerging players are The Fortune Society and Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO).
Does The Fountain Fund have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Fountain Fund.
What industry is The Fountain Fund in?
The Fountain Fund's product category is Community Development Microfinance. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSAKAGAA, Microloans & Working Capital Loans, with a secondary code of FSAKALAJ, Secured Microloans (Community/Nonprofit, Collateralized). Its NAICS code is 81321 and its SIC code is 6141.