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Online lending platform

The Southland Development Authority is pleased to offer Connect2Capital, an online lending platform to give small businesses a safe, smart alternative to for-profit online lenders with high interest rates. SDA’s network of mission-driven nonprofit lender partners offer small business loans for working capital and equipment needs from $5,000 to $100,000 and up.

Please scroll up to the top of this page to begin the free, no-obligation application process. For more help building your business or preparing to apply for financing, visit our SBDC, the Illinois Small Business Development Center at SDA Serving the Southland.

Watch the above video for a welcome from SDA’s Bo Kemp and explanations of lending products offered by our partners Community Reinvestment Fund USA (CRF), Greenwood Archer Capital, Allies for Community Business (A4CB), and Women’s Business Development Center (WBDC).

In the process of growing your business, sooner or later you’ll want to access capital investment and enable new growth. SDA is pleased to offer loans with key partners through Connect2Capital, an online platform developed by SDA’s partner Community Reinvestment Fund USA (www.crfusa.com). This platform offers loans from key community lending partners including:

Allies For Community Business (A4CB).

Allies for Community Business offers term loans and lines of credit between $500 and $100,000 to early, emerging, and established businesses. A4CB does not use credit scores and does not put liens on personal assets. Instead, they evaluate how well you have managed your debts over the past two years and how much cash you have available to make monthly loan payments.

Chicago Neighborhood Initiatives Microfinance Group.

CNIMFG provides credit to small businesses that do not have access to loans from Commercial sources. These include loans from $500 to $25,000 for startup businesses, and up to $100,000 for established businesses. CNIMFG also offers credit builder loans ranging from $500 to $5000 with terms from 6 to 72 months.

Women’s Business Development Center.

WBDC provides loans of up to $25,000 for startup businesses and up to $50,000 for businesses in operation at least two years. Loans can be made for equipment purchases, inventory, leasehold improvements, machinery, supplies, or working capital. WBDC loans are for terms from 1 to 5 years, at interest rates from 7% to 12% with 2%-4% closing costs.

Follow our 3-Step Process.

1
Step 1: Fill out a questionnaire

If you’re a Southland small businesses owner, please fill out the online questionnaire powered by Connect2Capital, an online marketplace that helps small businesses connect to responsible financing options.

2
Step 2: Get matched with lenders

SDA will leverage Connect2Capital technology to match you with our partner lenders described above. If you find a match, the lender you select will review your application, request additional materials and possibly give you an offer.

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Step 3: Assess your options

Not matched? We can still help with our Business Growth Services team and the Illinois SBDC (Small Business Development Center) at SDA Serving the Southland. We provide technical assistance to businesses of all sizes and can help you become loan-ready by working with your business plan, credit, financial reporting and tax records.

Southland Development Authority NFP (SDA), is not a lender or financial institution and does not broker loans of any kind to any consumers. SDA is only providing a direct link to Connect2Capital, which is powered by Community Reinvestment Fund, USA (CRF).

CRF, a national non-profit community development financial institution, is a leader in bringing capital to underserved people and communities. Since 1988, CRF has injected more than $2.4 billion into communities in 48 states across the country to help stimulate job creation and economic development, provide affordable housing, and support community facilities.

For more information, visit CRF at www.crfusa.com:

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