Access to Funding
Philadelphia and Delaware Counties
Organization | Type of assistance | Contact/information | |
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Community First Fund (CDFI) | Community First Fund is a private, independent non-profit Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) whose mission is to provide capital in places where it is not usually available. We seek to create financial equity through wealth building opportunities for individuals, families, and business owners, especially Persons of Color, women, and immigrants. | P: 267-236-7000 1301 North 2nd Street Philadelphia, PA 19122 |
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Boost Your Business Fund | Boost Your Business will provide funding to help diverse entrepreneurs in Philadelphia scale their businesses. Eligible businesses will be scored on the impact and feasibility of their growth plan. 10 selected businesses will receive a $50,000 forgivable loan. The loan will be forgiven when the business meets its stated growth goals: new contracts, revenue, and employee growth. |
P: 215-683-2100 E: Business@Phila.gov. |
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Community Development Finance Institutions (CDFIs) | Community development financial institutions (CDFIs) are private financial institutions that are 100% dedicated to delivering responsible, affordable lending to help low-income, low-wealth, and other disadvantaged people and communities join the economic mainstream. By financing community businesses—including small businesses, microenterprises, nonprofit organizations, commercial real estate, and affordable housing—CDFIs spark job growth and retention in hard-to serve markets across the nation. CDFIs are profitable but not profit-maximizing. They put community first, not the shareholder. | https://www.cdfifund.gov | |
The Enterprise Center COVID-19 Capital | The Enterprise Center Capital Corporation and like organizations are dedicated to supporting our small business community. Use this Inquiry form to get more information about Capital for businesses impacted by COVID-19. | capital@theenterprisecenter.com | |
Pennsylvania DCED | The Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) offers funding for business expansion, community projects and site revitalization in Pennsylvania. | T: 866-466-3972 How to Apply |
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Digital Undivided Fellowship | The Do You Fellowship Program will award 10 promising Black and Latinx women innovators with a $5,000 investment in their business and access to unparalleled resources and mentorship necessary to develop their businesses. | Fellowship applications open soon. Sign up here. | |
Philadelphia Business Lending Network | The Philadelphia Business Lending Network simplifies the process of applying for loans. This service provides access to nonprofit and for-profit lenders with one application / form. | Link to Complete the Financing Request Form. | |
Pennsylvania Council on the Arts (PCA) & Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance |
The Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator Program is designed to pair access to existing small business consulting services with financial resources for creative entrepreneurs who aspire to start their own for-profit business or who operate an existing for-profit micro business. The Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance administers the Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties on behalf of the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts (PCA), as a regional partner of the Pennsylvania Partners in the Arts (PPA) program. The program will be prioritizing investments to creative entrepreneurs who identify Black, Indigenous, or people of color (BIPOC) and those who are located in and whose work benefits low-income communities. | Grant Guidelines | |
Construction Loans Grow Philadelphia Fund – The Enterprise Center | The fund offers low interest loans to qualified minority-owned construction businesses to cover the cost of service contracts. Can finance construction loans for a maximum of $50K. The fund is eligible for construction business owned and operated by ethnic minorities working on a contract(s). | Inquiry Form cwilborn@theenterprisecenter.com |
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Honeycomb Credit | Honeycomb Credit unlocks growth opportunities for small businesses to build vibrant, financially empowered communities via crowdfunded small business loans. | E: hello@honeycombcredit.com | |
Delaware County Industrial Development Authority | Delaware County Industrial Development Authority (IDA): The IDA is an authority established pursuant to the provisions of the Industrial and Commercial Development Authority Law, and the Economic Development Finance Law. It is organized for the purpose of encouraging economic growth and development within Delaware County. The IDA issues revenue bonds and notes for the financing of industrial and commercial projects through third party sources | Business and Real Estate Incentives | |
KIVA | Gives entrepreneurs access to zero percent interest small business loans. These loans are funded by hundreds of lenders from around the world. | Contact | |
Pennsylvania CDFI Network | Coalition of 33 financial institutions formally launches a $100M fund for local minority-owned businesses. The Philadelphia Growth, Resiliency, Independence, Tenacity (GRIT) Fund will be available for the next 4 yeas (2022-26). | Varsovia Fernandez | |
Neighborhood Progress Fund | Offers Philadelphia area small business loans and business development services to entrepreneurs and businesses in distressed communities. | P: 215-232-0516 E: contact@npfp.org |
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Professional Beauty Association – Covid-19 Fund | PBA COVID-19 Relief Fund provides $500 to licensed beauty professionals who are unable to work due to COVID-19. The funding, if awarded, is intended to be emergency aid for short-term immediate needs such as food and bills. | Apply Here. | |
PIDC – Loans | Offers local companies the capital they need to grow and provides capital to growing companies when traditional financing is difficult to access or not able to meet a business owner’s needs. | P: 215-496-8020 E: info@PIDCphila.com |
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PIDC – Grants | Offers local companies the capital they need to grow. Provides capital to growing companies when traditional financing is difficult to access or not able to meet a business owner’s needs. | P: 215-496-8020 E: info@PIDCphila.com |
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Delaware County Redevelopment Authority | The RDA acts as the vehicle for condemnation and development within the county. In certain circumstances, it has the power of eminent domain for private development. It also administers the county Brownfield’s pilot program. | P: 610-566-2225 | |
Small Landlord Rental Improvement Fund | PHDC, in partnership with Impact Loan Fund, has launched a pilot program to finance repairs and renovations for landlords to improve apartments for affordable rentals. The fund will lend to landlords who own fewer than ten apartments in Philadelphia, and who need to improve their units to address health and safety-related repairs. Loans are between $10K to $25K. |
P: 215-739-1600 E: info@impactservices.org |
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VestedIn | VestedIn provides small business loans throughout Philadelphia for: Working Capital, Purchasing Real Estate, Renovation or Construction on an Existing Building, Purchasing Inventory, Taking Advantage of Business Opportunities, and Purchasing Equipment or Furniture. Provides a variety of loans that range from $1K to $100K. | P: 215-452-0100 E: info@vestedin.org |
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Women’s Opportunities Resource Center Loans | Provides low–interest loans, including professional services, and referrals to partner banks and community loan funds for small businesses. | P: 215-564-5500 F: 215-564-0933 E: info@worc-pa.com |
Government Agencies Supporting Small Businesses
Government | Agency | Type of assistance | Contact Info |
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City of Philadelphia Office of Business Services | The Department of Commerce offers many different kinds of one-on-one business support. Individual businesses can meet with a business service manager to get help and advice. Business Technical Assistance Providers offer help with financing, legal matters, and skills training. Businesses in select low-to-moderate income areas can also be referred to the Business Coach program for specialized assistance. | P: 215-683-2100 E: business@phila.gov |
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SBA Eastern Pennsylvania District Office | Offers one-on-one counseling to existing and prospective business owners on starting and expanding their businesses and helps to teach small businesses the ins and outs of working with federal government | P: 610-382-3062 | |
Small Business Administration | The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) continues to help small business owners and entrepreneurs pursue the American dream. SBA is the only cabinet-level federal agency fully dedicated to small business and provides counseling, capital, and contracting expertise as the nation’s only go-to resource and voice for small businesses. | P: 1-800-659-2955 E: disastercustomerservice@sba.gov |
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Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic (DCED) | The Department of Community and Economic Development’s mission is to encourage the shared prosperity of all Pennsylvanians by supporting good stewardship and sustainable development initiatives across our commonwealth | PA Business One-Stop Shop 1.833.722.6778 | |
City of Chester Economic Development Authority | In 1995, the Chester Economic Development Authority (CEDA) was created by the City of Chester to serve as the administrative agent for the City’s economic, housing, and community development programs and activities. In this capacity, the Authority is engaged in an ongoing effort to promote business growth, attract new investment, and develop Chester as a safe, livable, sustainable community. | P: 610-447-7850 | |
Delaware County Commerce Center | The Delaware County Commerce Center is a centralized location for all economic development in Delaware County. This agency operates as an umbrella organization for the administration of various economic development boards and authorities including: Economic Development Oversight Board (EDOB); Industrial Development Authority (IDA); Redevelopment Authority (RDA); Stadium Authority. | Laura Goodrich Cairns P: info@delcopa.org E: info@delcopa.org |
COVID-19 Resources to Support Business Recovery
Government | Agency | Type of assistance |
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PPP Loan Forgiveness SBA | First & Second Draw forgiveness terms, how and when to apply for loan forgiveness, and forgiveness forms and instructions | |
Federal Resources related to COVID-19 | This platform provides small businesses with access to a consolidation of COVID-19 related information and resources from multiple federal agencies. This site is developed through a partnership between the Association of Women Business Center and America’s SBDC and is supported by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. | |
CDC – Restaurants & Bars | Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) considerations for operating restaurants and bars. | |
Pennsylvania Health Guide | Pennsylvania guide on public health safety measures for businesses that are permitted to maintain in-person operations. | |
Philadelphia Department of Public Health Covid-19 Updates | Providing information and updates about COVID-19 in Philadelphia. | |
Delaware County COVID-19 Resources | Latest information and updates about COVID-19 in Delaware County, Pennsylvania. | |
CDC – Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Reopening Resources) |
Recommendations and resources for businesses and workplaces planning, preparing, and responding to COVID-19. |
Disaster Funding
Government | Agency | Type of assistance |
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Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
Small Business Advantage Grant |
The Small Business Advantage Grant provides 50% matching grants, up to a maximum of $5,000 to enable Pennsylvania small businesses to purchase energy efficient or pollution prevention equipment, or adopt waste reduction processes. For assistance contact P: 717-772-5160; E: epadvantagegrant@pa.gov | |
Small Business Debt Relief Program | SBA will cover all loan payments on these SBA loans, including principal, interest, and fees, for six months all current 7(a), 504, and Micro-loans in regular servicing status as well as new 7(a), 504, and Micro-loans disbursed prior to September 27, 2020. | |
SBA Disaster Loan Assistance | The SBA offers disaster assistance in the form of low interest loans to businesses, nonprofit organizations, homeowners, and renters located in regions affected by declared disasters. SBA also provides eligible small businesses and nonprofit organizations with working capital to help overcome the economic injury of a declared disaster | |
PBA COVID-19 RELIEF FUND | PBA COVID-19 Relief Fund provides $500 to licensed beauty professionals who are unable to work due to COVID-19. The funding, if awarded, is intended to be emergency aid for short-term immediate needs such as food and bills. |