The Peoples Food Coop (PFC), Edison Neighborhood Association, Kalamazoo Eastside Neighborhood Association, and SCORE Kalamazoo/SW Michigan have partnered with LISC and KIVA to provide access to crowdsourced borrowing opportunities for qualifying businesses in the Kalamazoo community. Each has its own criteria and a primary focus area they consider before giving their endorsement.
Their primary focus areas include:
Any of the above endorsements, a sort of social underwriting, allows for a LISC 1-to-1 match on loans, reducing the challenge of becoming fully funded.
*NOTE: In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Kiva US is offering small business applicants:
1126 Gull Rd., Ste B
Kalamazoo, MI 49048
Debi Howe, Director
info@greaterkalamazoobusinessresource.org
(269) 344-1419
Kiva has reduced the number of contributors required during the private fundraising period, which will help get projects onto the full Kiva platform for public crowdsourcing more quickly.
Here is a general outline of the program based on the status of the applicant business.
$1,000-$3000
Please click the Apply to KIVA button, answer all questions, and your form will go to the endorsing organizations for consideration. Once staff members have reviewed, they will get back to you with any questions, and next steps.
The Kalamazoo Capital Consortium is a group of nonprofit and for profit commercial lenders who work together with the Greater Kalamazoo Business Resource Group to improve access to capital for small businesses throughout the city.
If you are a business owner in Kalamazoo County, and would like to apply for a loan from one of the Consortium members, please complete the Financing Request Form.
This form helps Capital Consortium members learn more about your business and your capital needs. Your information will be shared with the Consortium members and if your project and capital needs match available resources, members of the consortium will contact you directly within ten (10) business days.
Please note this form is not a loan or grant application and there is no guarantee of approval from any of the members. If one of the Consortium members is interested in working with your business, they will contact you for more information.
1126 Gull Rd., Ste B
Kalamazoo, MI 49048
Debi Howe, Director
info@greaterkalamazoobusinessresource.org
(269) 344-1419