CDFI Friendly South Bend Region

What CDFI Friendly South Bend Region does

CDFI Friendly South Bend Region is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2020 and headquartered in South Bend, Indiana, that operates as a regional connector between underserved borrowers and Community Development Financial Institutions. Rather than originating loans directly, the organization matches entrepreneurs, small businesses, nonprofits, and affordable housing developers with mission-driven lenders and provides hands-on preparation support so borrowers can qualify for and effectively communicate with those capital sources. Its service area spans Saint Joseph, Elkhart, and Marshall Counties in Indiana and extends across the border into Southwest Michigan, including Niles.

The organization's product surface is a portfolio of relationship-driven programs rather than technology platforms. Capital Coaching (launched 2023 with IEDC seed funding) pairs entrepreneurs with expert mentors to strengthen financial literacy, documentation, projections, and lender communication. Fusion Fest, Credit Builder, Alternative Equity, and the Energy Assistance & Solar Savings Initiative (EASSI) extend the model to food vendors, individual credit-building, non-traditional equity structures, and energy efficiency financing. The 2026-launched Capital Access Collaborative formalizes the multi-sided lender network. By the organization's own reporting, more than $40 million in capital has been facilitated across nearly 100 local businesses annually since founding, including the $13.85 million Monreaux Development deal — the largest CDFI-backed transaction in South Bend's history.

The business model is grant and donation funded. CDFI Friendly does not charge borrowers for matchmaking or coaching services, and it does not earn referral fees on the loans it facilitates. Confirmed recent inflows include a $40,000 IEDC grant (2024), a $15,000 Old National Bank Foundation programmatic grant (2025), and a $30,000 Special Project Grant from the Community Foundation of St. Joseph County with a matching requirement. Operations are supported by a small staff (1–10 employees, headed by Executive Director Sam Centellas) and a volunteer board (Chair: Breanna Allen) that was refreshed in March 2026 with five new members for the 2026–2029 term. The organization is partner-intensive, working with CDFIs (Cinnaire, Intend, IFF, Allies for Community Business), regional banks (Old National, KeyBank, PNC, Everence, Notre Dame FCU), municipal actors (City of South Bend), and ecosystem venues (Momentum Hub, 2Ten Main) to deliver its programs.

Name

CDFI Friendly South Bend Region

Legal name

CDFI Friendly South Bend Region

Website

https://cdfifriendlysouthbend.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

CDFI Friendly South Bend Region is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2020 that connects entrepreneurs, small businesses, nonprofits, and affordable housing developers in Northern Indiana and Southwest Michigan with mission-driven lenders, providing coaching and matchmaking services funded by grants and donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

South Bend

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Grants and Donations: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, CDFI Friendly South Bend relies on grants from foundations (Community Foundation of St. Joseph County, Indiana Economic Development Corporation) and individual/corporate donations to fund operations and programs.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

CDFI Friendly South Bend is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit connector that facilitates capital access for underserved borrowers across Northern Indiana and Southwest Michigan. The organization matches local entrepreneurs, small businesses, nonprofits, and housing developers with Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) and other mission-driven lenders, while providing capital coaching, credit-building programs, and energy efficiency financing initiatives. It operates programs such as Capital Coaching, Fusion Fest, Credit Builder, Alternative Equity, the Energy Assistance & Solar Savings Initiative (EASSI), and the Capital Access Collaborative.

Product overview

CDFI Friendly South Bend Region operates as a Community Development Financial Institution that connects entrepreneurs, small businesses, nonprofits, and housing developers with responsible lenders and capital opportunities. The organization functions as a connector and facilitator rather than a direct lender, offering multiple programs including the Capital Coaching Program (which pairs entrepreneurs with expert mentors), the Fusion Fest Vendor Program (streamlined credit for event vendors), the Energy Assistance & Solar Savings Initiative (EASSI) for energy efficiency projects, and Credit Builder and Alternative Equity options. The Capital Access Collaborative serves as a network unifying CDFIs, community banks, fintechs, and lenders. Together, these programs work to expand access to capital for underserved communities across Northern Indiana and Southwest Michigan.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Capital Coaching Program A mentoring program that pairs entrepreneurs with expert coaches to help them prepare for funding by strengthening financial literacy, organizing business documentation, building projections, and improving how they communicate their financial story to lenders and CDFIs. Aimed at entrepreneurs and small business owners in the South Bend region.
• Credit Builder A program designed to help individuals build their credit history and financial stability. Targets aspiring and existing entrepreneurs who may not qualify for traditional bank financing.
• Alternative Equity An alternative financing approach that provides equity options for entrepreneurs who may not qualify for traditional lending. Aimed at local founders seeking non-debt capital pathways.
• Fusion Fest Vendor Program A streamlined credit application program offering $2,500+ lines of credit for food vendors at the Fusion Fest event, using a modified application process partnered with Allies for Community Business and the City of South Bend. Aimed at food entrepreneurs and event vendors.
• Referral Network A formal network connecting lenders with potential clients seeking financing, helping traditional financial institutions reach borrowers who need flexible, creative financing options. Targeted at CDFIs, community banks, and mission-driven lenders.
• Energy Assistance & Solar Savings Initiative (EASSI) A program helping South Bend nonprofits, businesses, schools, churches, and community organizations reduce energy costs and improve facilities through technical assistance, energy assessments, grant funding, and flexible financing for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects.
• Capital Access Collaborative A network initiative unifying CDFIs, community banks, fintechs, and mission-driven lenders to expand equitable access to capital for entrepreneurs and neighborhood development across the South Bend region.

Quantifiable outcome

• $40+ million in funding facilitated since 2020
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 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

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Allies for Community Business (A4CB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for capital access workshops and the Fusion Fest pilot program. A4CB brings expertise in alternative lending products and co-presented capital access workshops with CDFI Friendly. Collaboration enables streamlined credit application processes for food entrepreneurs.
• Brightpoint Development FundcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to introduce the Community Loan Center (CLC) model - an employer-based small-dollar loan program offering lower interest rates and payroll deduction repayment as an alternative to predatory payday lending.
• IFFcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCDFI partner for nonprofit facility financing workshops. Hosted 'Building for Impact' workshop in Goshen focusing on how nonprofits can plan, finance, and sustain their physical facilities. Partner in EASSI energy program.
• City of South BendcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in EASSI (Energy Assistance & Solar Savings Initiative) program, which has generated $3.6M in energy efficiency and solar investments. City co-hosts events and provides support for entrepreneurial ecosystem development.
• Momentum HubminorOthersCollaborative workspace in downtown South Bend used for board retreats and events. Designed to support innovation and entrepreneurship, hosting organizations working to build stronger regional entrepreneurial community.
• 2Ten MainminorOthersInnovation hub in Niles, MI hosting CDFI Friendly's first event in Michigan. Known as the 'Coolest Place in Town,' provides co-working space and community gathering venue. Provided memberships to local entrepreneurs KC Johnson (We Got The Juice Co.) and Jetta's Kettle Corn.
• Emerge Innovation Hub (Niles, MI)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization in Niles, Michigan where CDFI Friendly presented capital access sessions. KC Johnson from Emerge shared her success story and introduced her new venture We Got The Juice Co.
• Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber / Greater Niles Chamber of CommerceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerChamber partners that helped spread the word about CDFI Friendly's Niles event and strengthen connections across the Michigan portion of the regional ecosystem.
• United WayminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in predatory lending awareness efforts, collaborating with CDFI Friendly to spread word about predatory lending and connect employers with resources like the Community Loan Center.
• South Bend Financial Empowerment CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in financial empowerment programming. New board member Rain Adams serves as Financial Counselor at the center, bringing direct borrower-facing financial coaching experience.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Opportunity Finance Network: National CDFI industry trade association representing CDFIs across the U.S. Comparable as a higher-tier ecosystem coordinator and capacity builder for the same network of mission-driven lenders that CDFI Friendly works with locally.
• Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC): National CDFI and community development intermediary financing affordable housing, small businesses, and nonprofits. Comparable as a scaled-up version of CDFI Friendly's connector-plus-capital model with similar target borrowers and partner CDFIs.

Emerging players

• Grameen America: Nonprofit microfinance organization providing small-dollar loans to entrepreneurs in underserved U.S. communities. Comparable as a mission-aligned nonprofit lender/connector serving similar target borrowers, though operating a direct-lending rather than connector model.
• Kiva: Global nonprofit crowdfunding platform enabling crowdfunded microloans to underserved entrepreneurs. Comparable as an alternative-capital connector for borrowers excluded from traditional finance, though Kiva operates a digital marketplace rather than regional coaching model.
• Fahe: National network of CDFIs and nonprofits focused on rural Appalachian and Midwest community development financing. Comparable as a regional network intermediary organizing multiple CDFIs to deliver capital to underserved borrowers in similar geographies.

Direct peers

• Brightpoint Development Fund: Indiana-based CDFI affiliate offering small-dollar loans through the Community Loan Center model that CDFI Friendly introduced. Directly comparable as a partner CDFI serving similar Indiana-based borrowers and employers.
• IFF: Regional CDFI providing facility financing and capital access to nonprofits and mission-driven organizations in the Midwest. Comparable as a CDFI partner of CDFI Friendly and similar target segments (nonprofits, community facilities).
• Cinnaire: Michigan-based CDFI that led the $13.85M Monreaux financing with CDFI Friendly. Directly comparable as a regional mission-driven capital provider serving affordable housing and community development in overlapping geographies.
• Allies for Community Business (A4CB): Chicago-based CDFI providing alternative lending products to underserved entrepreneurs; co-presented capital access workshops and partnered on Fusion Fest with CDFI Friendly. Direct peer in mission, geography overlap, and small-borrower focus.

Others

• Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC): Indiana state economic development agency that provided initial seed funding for CDFI Friendly's Capital Coaching program. Comparable as an enabler/funder of small-business capital access programs at state scale, though not a connector itself.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/CDFIFriendlySouthBend
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cdfifriendlysouthbendregion

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 CDFI Friendly South Bend Region