Welcome to the Community Loan Fund of the Capital Region
The Community Loan Fund of the Capital Region is a nonprofit community development financial institution serving the Capital Region of New York State — Albany, Columbia, Fulton, Greene, Montgomery, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, Warren & Washington Counties. Incorporated in 1985, our mission is to provide unique access to financing and business training to nonprofit organizations, small businesses, and entrepreneurs, in partnership with community minded stakeholders, helping deliver essential services to the economically underserved. Our vision is for a Capital Region where all residents have equitable access to the resources they need to build a sustainable, resilient, and prosperous community.
We provide access to capital by pooling investments and donations from socially concerned individuals and organizations, and re-lending it to nonprofit organizations and small businesses. We also offer training and technical assistance programs for small business owners and nonprofit leaders.
Explore our work and join us in this partnership by becoming an investor, a donor, or a nonprofit or small business borrower – together we are strengthening communities and changing lives.
Our Community Members
“Without the Community Loan Fund, we would not have been able to get construction started. People that were homeless for years and years, now have permanent housing.”
Janine Robitaille
Interfaith Partnership for the Homeless
“Without the Community Loan Fund, we would not still be in business, nor would we have been able to expand to a second location. We truly appreciate being part of this wonderful organization, and look forward to working with the Community Loan Fund for many years to come.”
Jason Wellington
Joyful Beginnings Early Education Center
“The Community Loan Fund made Bliss possible, as they were the first source of funding we acquired. Without their faith in our business, we would not have been able to bring this business to our community.”
Katie Dievendorf
Bliss Juice.Smoothie.Self
“The Community Loan Fund was very patient and helpful during the entire process and helped speed up our process immensely! The staff was always very accommodating and ready to help whenever needed.”
Ruth Randall & Selma Ogresevic
Green Sugar Leaf Farms
Borrower Bios
STEAM Garden tech incubator planted on Central Avenue
The Albany STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) Garden is on the cusp of opening their first floor co-working space this fall. This project is located in the former St. Patrick's School [Read More]
Bliss smoothies off to smooth start
Community Loan Fund of the Capital Region helps two small business owners on joint venture, Bliss. The business focuses on juice, smoothies, combined with health and wellness classes.
From hobby to Harlem Fashion Week, Kema’s Kreations hits runway
Small business owner gets help from Community Loan Fund of the Capital Region. Loan Fund provides small business loans, training, and office space to local entrepreneurs.
Albany resident transforms vacant buildings into refugee housing
The housing stock near Elk and Ontario is mostly modest two-story clapboard houses, and it was once a bustling family neighborhood on the edge of Swinburne Park. Tim Doherty grew up here, and [Read More]
Latest News
City of Schenectady announces second round of COVID-19 Small Business Assistance Grants
November 25 - The Community Loan Fund of the Capital Region gave another $89,000 in grants to grateful Schenectady businesses, and just in time for Thanksgiving. The organization is making awards to small [Read More]
Community Loan Fund announces first round of COVID-19 Small Business Assistance Grants
October 29 - The Community Loan Fund of the Capital Region awarded $121,000 in grants to small businesses impacted by COVID. These grants are part of the City of Schenectady’s Small Business Assistance Program [Read More]
U.S. Treasury Awards $788,750 to Community Loan Fund of the Capital Region
September 25 - The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI Fund) awarded the Community Loan Fund of the Capital Region $788,750 to increase lending and investment activity in low-income [Read More]
City of Schenectady and Community Loan Fund Announce Funding for Small Businesses Impacted by COVID-19
SCHENECTADY – The City of Schenectady and the Community Loan Fund of the Capital Region announced a Small Business Assistance Program to award $250,000 in grants and technical assistance to local small businesses impacted [Read More]
Workshops & Events
January 2025
Basic Legal Formations for Small Businesses
Money Optimization Blueprint: Simplify and Amplify
9-Week Business Planning Course
Business Health Check-Ups
February 2025
Money Optimization Blueprint: Simplify and Amplify
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