Accion Opportunity Fund

Los Angeles is more than just a city—it’s a community that stands together. When the wildfires devastated LA and destroyed her children’s school, Uli N., founder of Uli's Gelato, took immediate action. She joined forces with local food entrepreneurs and chefs to provide essential food relief to affected families. Now, despite her own business taking a big net loss in the aftermath, she’s still giving back every week—because that’s what community does. But small businesses like hers can’t do it alone. Without support, we risk losing the heart of our neighborhoods. Let’s help them rise again. ???? Give now at the link below to revitalize the SoCal small business community. https://lnkd.in/dxYSZ8jM #rebuildsocal #smallbusinessrelief #palisadesfire #eatonfire #firerelief #LAstrong

The Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI Fund) generates tens of billions of dollars in new economic activity by addressing market failures in economically distressed parts of the US.? ? ?? Accion Opportunity Fund alone has generated over $2B in new revenue, wages, spending, and taxes—and we’re only one CDFI!? ? Small business owners choose AOF and other CDFIs to overcome barriers to job growth, wealth creation, and prosperity through responsible lending and free financial education. Consider:? ? ?? 79% of US small business owners report challenges accessing capital.? ? ?? Most banks don’t lend to creditworthy small businesses owned by low-income entrepreneurs, rural businesses, or first-time truck owners because small-dollar loans are costly to underwrite and service.? ? ?? 80% of AOF-funded small businesses would have been—or were already—rejected by banks due to low credit scores, being in business < 3 years, earning < $250K annual revenue, or other barriers.? ? ?? Predatory lenders exploit these businesses with high interest rates, opaque terms, and hidden costs—suffocating job creation and economic growth.? ? ?? AOF helps underestimated small businesses build the track record they need to compete with more established businesses on an even playing field.? ? ?? AOF’s impact:? ? $1B+ deployed through more than 33,000 small business loans? ? 2x economic activity generated per dollar deployed? ? 35,000+ small business owners received free technical assistance? ? Nearly 100,000 jobs supported? ? Millions of small business owners have accessed free financial education at aofund.org ? We’re driving impact nationwide—in urban and rural areas, online merchants, artisan creators, Main Street businesses, manufacturing and trucking.? ? ?? Trucking is America’s #1 job for workers without a four-year degree, offering middle-class income without requiring expensive education. More than 10,000 AOF trucking loans have helped independent truckers own their rigs, be their own bosses, build wealth, and keep America’s supply chain moving.? ? ?? And beyond economic empowerment, AOF loans drive environmental returns—financing access to cleaner vehicles and reducing emissions equivalent to permanently removing 1.4 million cars from US roads.? ? ?? The CDFI Fund makes this possible. (That and our force-of-nature CEO Luz Urrutia, our incredible team, board, partners, donors, and investors!)? ? ?? Take action today to help us #ProtecttheCDFIFund! Visit Opportunity Finance Network's Policy Action Center and ensure CDFIs continue fueling small business growth.? ? ?? ?https://lnkd.in/eHzV6sP3

To all of my friends, colleagues and partners in the #CDFI industry: Thank you for the irreplaceable work you do every day to bring #capital to people, places and #smallbusiness in low-income communities across America - rural and urban, red and blue. Without you, #banks and #creditunions would be challenged to #lend and #invest in these communities. I started my career at one of the original CDFIs, ShoreBank, two years after the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI Fund) came into existence. It has become one of the most efficient and effective #government programs in existence. Moreover, CDFIs have become a critical distribution partner for a variety of other important federal programs. We at the Financial Health Network stand with you! Luz Urrutia Daniel Nissenbaum Bulbul Gupta Harold Pettigrew, Jr. Matthew Roth Joe Neri Saurabh Narain Justine Zinkin Opportunity Finance Network

Small business owners are turning to AOF in this critical time of need—but we can’t deploy relief until we raise the funds. We need your support—now more than ever. This is more than just recovery; it’s about resilience. Small businesses are the heartbeat of our communities, and right now, many are struggling to get back on their feet. They need immediate support. Every donation to the Rebuild SoCal Small Business Relief Fund counts. ?? Give today: https://lnkd.in/dxYSZ8jM

?? Exciting News: Accion Opportunity Fund has provided $12 million in NMTC financing to support the construction of the Robert R. McCormick Leadership and Opportunity Center in Chicago’s South Side. The sponsor of the project is a neighborhood non-profit organization known as Project H.O.O.D. - which stands for Helping Others Obtain Destiny. This 87,126 sq. ft. community hub will provide vital resources in the Woodlawn neighborhood, in Chicago’s South Side, where the poverty rate exceeds 41% and unemployment is over five times the national average. Community Impact at a Glance: ?? 25,000 individuals served annually, with 95% being low-income and 100% from minority communities? ?130+ permanent jobs ??250 construction jobs ??Essential community resources, including a health clinic, vocational & culinary training, financial education, youth programs, and business incubation This project will empower residents and create lasting change. "At Project HOOD, we believe in the power of partnership to create lasting change. Our collaboration with AOF through the New Markets Tax Credit program is more than just a financial transaction—it’s an investment in the transformation of our community. With their support, we are turning vision into reality, ensuring that the Leadership and Economic Opportunity Center becomes a beacon of hope, opportunity, and transformation. We are beyond grateful for AOF’s commitment to our mission and look forward to the impact we will make together." - Pastor Corey Brooks To learn more or support Project HOOD, visit: https://lnkd.in/ewUn5tFP #ProjectHOOD #AccionOpportunityFund #NMTC

?? NEW Report: What the U.S. Can Learn from Ghana & Kenya About Small Business Financing Black entrepreneurs in the U.S. face persistent challenges in accessing capital—just 14% of Black-owned small businesses receive the full funding they seek. But what if solutions could be found beyond our borders? Accion Opportunity Fund & ACCION's Center for Financial Inclusion partnered with HBCU Research Fellow Dr. Jaquetta Graham to compare small business financing in Ghana, Kenya, and the U.S. The findings highlight: ?? Barriers to traditional financing—many entrepreneurs avoid banks due to high rejection rates & strict requirements. ?? Alternative lending solutions—mobile finance & informal savings groups help fill gaps but come with risks. ?? Opportunities for U.S. innovation—women-centered financing, transparent lending terms, & public-private partnerships could drive real change. There’s a lot we can learn—and apply—to better serve Black entrepreneurs in the U.S. Read the full report & explore the insights: https://lnkd.in/gK26KVYi #BlackEntrepreneurs #SmallBusinessFinance #AccessToCapital #GlobalLessons #FinancialInclusion

The devastation caused by the recent Southern California wildfires has left thousands of small businesses struggling to survive. Without immediate support, we risk seeing widespread job loss, economic downturns, and the erosion of our local communities. Give now at the link below to revitalize the SoCal small business community. ???? https://lnkd.in/dxYSZ8jM #rebuildsocal #smallbusinessrelief #palisadesfire #eatonfire #firerelief #LAstrong

?? LA small businesses need your help NOW! The recent wildfires have devastated local businesses, leaving many owners struggling to stay afloat. Without support, they may have no choice but to turn to predatory lenders. We can’t let that happen. ?? Your donation to the Rebuild SoCal Small Business Relief Fund will provide zero-interest loans, payment relief, and the resources these businesses need to recover and rebuild. ? Act now—every dollar makes a difference. ?? Donate now: https://lnkd.in/dxYSZ8jM #rebuildsocal #smallbusinessrelief #palisadesfire #eatonfire #firerelief #LAstrong

The wildfires have left thousands of SoCal small businesses facing an uncertain future. The road to recovery is just beginning, and the small business community needs us now more than ever. ???? Donate today: https://lnkd.in/dxYSZ8jM #rebuildsocal #smallbusinessrelief #palisadesfire #eatonfire #firerelief #LAstrong

Great profile of Luz Urrutia, CEO of Accion Opportunity Fund, in the Aspen Institute's The Slice newsletter. Luz, so grateful to have you and your team's partnership in our Microfinance Impact Collaborative and so many other efforts!