Opportunity Fund

Opportunity Fund is a nonprofit CDFI, or Community Development Financial Institution, based in Santa Rosa, California. It is one of the largest nonprofit small business lenders in California and focuses on providing affordable financing to underserved small business owners who face barriers to accessing conventional bank credit.

CDFIs are mission-driven financial organizations certified by the US Treasury's CDFI Fund. They exist to expand access to capital for communities underserved by mainstream banks, including low-income communities, minority-owned businesses, immigrant-owned businesses and women entrepreneurs.

Opportunity Fund offers small business loans for a range of purposes including working capital, equipment purchases, real estate and startup costs. It focuses on loans for businesses that would typically find it difficult to qualify at a conventional bank, often because of limited credit history, lower credit scores or the early stage of the business. Opportunity Fund tends to take a more holistic view of the borrower's situation rather than relying solely on traditional credit metrics.

In addition to lending, Opportunity Fund provides business education, coaching and advisory services to help entrepreneurs build sustainable businesses.

Opportunity Fund primarily serves California, though it has expanded its reach to other states. If you are a small business owner in California and are exploring financing options, Opportunity Fund is particularly worth considering if you have had difficulty qualifying for conventional bank financing.

As a nonprofit lender, Opportunity Fund typically offers more favorable terms than for-profit alternative lenders while being more accessible than traditional banks for many underserved entrepreneurs. Contact Opportunity Fund directly to learn about current loan products, amounts and eligibility.