Community Reinvestment Fund, USA

We’re excited to welcome Sara Razavi and George Surgeon as the newest members of CRF’s Board of Trustees! Sara Razavi is the CEO of Working Solutions CDFI, where she has led significant growth in small business lending and expanding access to capital for entrepreneurs. George Surgeon is the President and CEO of GSJ Advisors, Ltd., bringing decades of experience in community development banking, impact investing, and financial strategy to support mission-driven enterprises. “We are honored to welcome Sara Razavi and George Surgeon to CRF’s Board of Trustees,” said Matthew Roth, President and CEO, CRF. “Sara’s expertise in small business lending and capital deployment, combined with George’s deep experience in community development banking and investment strategy, will help us deliver on our mission. Their leadership will enhance our ability to expand access to capital and drive meaningful economic impact in the communities we serve.” Read more on our website: https://lnkd.in/gaPPS_Uz

The CRF team was proud to support our partners at Fifth Third Bank during the Avondale Branch Groundbreaking Ceremony in Cincinnati, OH. As part of the event, we were excited to present a local small business—a newly opened grocery store— with support from the Small Business Catalyst Fund (SBCF) Grant Program, made possible through our partnership with Fifth Third Bank. The Small Business Catalyst Fund is designed to help entrepreneurs access critical funding to grow and sustain their businesses. Through grants, technical assistance, and connections to additional resources, the program helps small businesses overcome financial challenges and create lasting impact in their communities. We are grateful to Fifth Third Bank for their continued partnership and commitment to strengthening neighborhoods like Avondale. Together, we are working to ensure that small businesses have the tools they need to succeed and thrive.

We’re excited to share how collaborative innovation is driving meaningful change for small businesses across the country. Our latest blog post highlights how Community Reinvestment Fund, USA (CRF), alongside incredible partners like JPMorganChase and Mastercard Strive, are working to reimagine the small business ecosystem — making capital and resources more accessible through intentional partnership. A huge thank you to JPMorgan Chase and Mastercard Strive USA for your leadership, partnership, and commitment to fostering innovation that drives impact!

There’s still time to register for this week’s MyPace Capital webinars on March 11 and March 12. Sign up today to learn about our new performance-based loan program. Register here: https://ow.ly/7rwk50VcIWE

As your small business evolves, so do your capital needs. Join us for an upcoming webinar to learn more about the different types of financing solutions, including revenue-based options, available to entrepreneurs across all stages of their small business journey. We will also leave time for you to get your questions answered. Register here: https://ow.ly/CGsQ50VcIOv

Does your small business need flexible financing to navigate revenue fluctuations, seasonality or to support growth? Join our webinar to learn about MyPace Capital and find a financing solution that fits your business. Register here: https://ow.ly/q76a50VasaW

Join us for an informational tax webinar on March 7th. This session will feature an experienced tax professional from Victory Business Solutions who will discuss common tax considerations, share general best practices, and highlight tools that may help streamline tax preparation. Register here: https://ow.ly/WnYV50V9HN8

Please join us for an exciting webinar, Tax Season Made Easy: Strategies for Small Businesses, March 7th at 10am CST. Brittany Howard EA of Victory Business Solutions will be sharing helpful tips and tools to help small businesses navigate the tax preparation process. Register here: https://lnkd.in/gVNUxtc9

CRF is thrilled to partner with the State of North Carolina, Dogwood Health Trust, and Appalachian Community Capital to support the Western North Carolina Small Business Initiative II, a new program to help small businesses recover from the negative impacts of Hurricane Helene. The program has expanded eligibility and offers flexible grants up to $50,000 to support the recovery of small businesses across select Western North Carolina counties.? Find out more. https://bit.ly/4hukKfs

CRF is closed today in recognition of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. We will resume normal business hours tomorrow, January 21. #MLK #MLKDay