Impact Investment Loans
As an organization or entrepreneur in southwest Michigan, you may qualify for an Impact Investment Loan from Kalamazoo Community Foundation (KZCF). These loans are a special financing option with added flexibility and ease.
Impact investment lending creates low market rate loans for programs and projects that make a high impact in the community. By prioritizing projects that advance racial equity while offering lower rates and a simplified application process, KZCF is committed to advancing transformational projects that support a more equitable Kalamazoo community.
Impact Investment Loan advantages
- Easily apply for funding
With a simplified 2-page application, you can apply without some of the barriers that large banking institutions and traditional funding sources have in place.
- Get low interest rates with flexible terms
Our interest rates are based on the Consumer Price Index* + 1%, which means they are often below market rates. With flexible loan terms based on your project, you can find a loan that works best for you.
- Invest in community growth
These loans are purposefully designed to help you make transformative change toward equity and racial equity in our area. We want to partner with you to address some of Kalamazoo's greatest opportunities for growth.
Our loan priorities
- Increase access to housing
Community development projects that advance housing equity by increasing affordable rental housing and addressing housing insecurity in Kalamazoo.
- Support and expand BIPOC wealth-building opportunities
Programs and projects that aim to address the racial wealth gap and build wealth among Kalamazoo’s Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) communities through initiatives like home ownership and entrepreneurship opportunities.
- Develop nonprofit infrastructure
Capital projects for nonprofits seeking to improve a facility and/or infrastructure to advance equitable outcomes in Kalamazoo.
Get started
APPLY NOW
Submit your completed application to impactinvestment@kalfound.org. Applications may be submitted on a rolling basis and will be reviewed by the Impact Investing Committee four times per year.
2021 Application Deadlines
- January 8
- May 7
- July 30
- September 10
To learn more about our Impact Investment Loans, email Martha Gonzalez-Cortes at mgonzalez-cortes@kalfound.org.
Interested in giving to help fund Impact Investment Loans?
Visit our Co-Investment donation page and add a note in the special instruction box that you would like your donation to be directed toward Impact Investment work. If you prefer to send a check or give a gift of stock, please include instructions with the gift that it should be used to support the Impact Investment Fund.
Contact the Donor Relations Team at donorrelations@kalfound.org or 269.381.4416 to learn more.