WARD 8
COMMUNITY INVESTMENT FUND
The Ward 8 Community Investment Fund (W8CIF), is a community-led place-based funding opportunity offering “grants-secured loans” to Ward 8 resident-entrepreneurs, and small businesses.
Grant secured loans are an innovative financial product developed by and for Black entrepreneurs in partnership with elected officials, DSLBD, and a small business focused CDFI.
W8CIF SNAPSHOT
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W8CIF Has delivered over $2.1MM in Capital to Ward 8 businesses since 2023.​
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258 businesses and entrepreneurs have been funded
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Over 1,000 businesses and entrepreneurs have been engaged
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Technical Assistance and Coaching provided to all businesses
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$23K in grants cultivating youth entrepreneurs ages 14-21 have been delivered.​
The Ward 8 Community Investment Fund (W8CIF), is a community-led place-based funding opportunity offering “grants-secured loans” to Ward 8 resident-entrepreneurs, and small businesses.
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Grant secured loans are an innovative financial product developed by and for Black entrepreneurs in partnership with elected officials, DSLBD, and a small business focused CDFI.
In 2023 we answered the call to address the lack of access to capital faced by Black Owned Businesses and Entrepreneurs historically marginalized by the DMV’s regional 81x racial wealth gap.
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Our solution was creating financial product that would actually be accessible to the less fortunate. As a result we were able to provide “Grant Secured Loans” that made businesses instantly bankable, rewarding the businesses who repaid the loans by returning the cash collateral to them free and clear.
W8CIF APPLICATION
Applications are closed for W8CIF Round III. ​Subscribe to our newsletter for updates.
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