CDFI lending built for farmers, fishermen, and food business owners who do not qualify at a bank: small loans, credit-building ladder loans, and one-on-one loan readiness coaching. Frequently paired with regional food economy programs.
- Typical award
- Microloans roughly $1,000–$50,000 plus credit-building products
- Deadline
- Rolling applications
- Type of support
- Loans & credit · Loans & credit readiness
- Who can apply
- Individual producer, Beginning / underserved, Non-profit
- Fits these operations
- Vegetables & produce, Mixed / diversified, Value-added & food business, Urban farm
Am I eligible?
- Small farm, fishing, or food business owner in the service region
- Refugee, immigrant, and low-income entrepreneurs prioritized
- Thin or damaged credit is expected, not disqualifying
How to apply
- 1Contact the CEO lending team for an intake conversation
- 2Complete loan readiness coaching and gather documents
- 3Submit the application and close the loan
What you'll need
- ID and business documentation
- Income records or a simple projection
- Use-of-funds list
Timeline & contact
2–8 weeks
Get help: IRC Center for Economic Opportunity
Ready to apply?
Applications go through International Rescue Committee, Center for Economic Opportunity, not through this site. Open the official page below for eligibility rules, forms, and contacts. For federal programs it's worth calling your local USDA Service Center or Cooperative Extension office first — they help with paperwork for free and know what your county actually funds.
This listing was last hand-checked August 2026.