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Causes: Economic Development, Homeless & Housing, Housing Development, Construction & Management, Microfinance, Small Business Development
Mission: The Washington Area Community Investment Fund (WACIF) is a regional community development financial institution (CDFI) that provides technical and financial assistance to small businesses, child care providers and affordable housing developers serving and operating in low-and moderate- income communities in the greater Washington region. WACIF relies on the expertise; volunteer efforts, and the financial contributions of individuals and companies who support our efforts.
Geographic areas served: Washington, DC metropolitan area
Programs: Small business counseling - wacif provides a variety of technical assistance programs for very-low- to-moderate income small business owners and entrepreneurs to spur economic growth in underserved communities by helping them start or grow their local business. Wacif's entrepreneurial training courses develop a strong foundation to launch a successful small business with topics on business planning, marketing, financial statements, law, real estate and becoming lender ready. Wacif's impact is deepened with one-on-one business counseling which works with clients on specific capacity building issues and identifies areas of growth. Continued in schedule o.
access to capital - wacif's access to capital and lending programs, which total $7,000,000 under management, provide flexible financing for small businesses, child care, affordable housing developers and community serving organizations that operate in or serve very-low-to-moderate income communities. Wacif has several loan funds to support a continuum of financing from start-up entrepreneurs to established business owners that are unable to access traditional financing. Continued in schedule o.
enterprise dc - wacif's entrepreneurship training program, enterprise dc, is a 9-month program that provides a unique approach to entrepreneurship development for unemployed and under-employed d. C. Residents. Enterprise dc is a strong example of a public-private partnership between wacif, two supporting area nonprofits and the funder, the d. C. Department of employment services (does). Enterprise dc combines in-classroom training, one-on-one business counseling, computer and technology training and personal business mentorship for each aspiring entrepreneur. Continued in schedule o