Moving Beyond
COVID-19 Relief & Resilience Loans
Pre-development, bridge, and operating loans available to Indigenous enterprises to help them move past the financial impacts of the pandemic. No-cost specialized technical assistance is available for some borrowers alongside our loans.
The Issue
Native Nations, tribal enterprieses, and Native-owned businesses are under-represented and disproportionately affected by COVID-19 and have less access to much needed capital and federal relief programs. In some parts of Indian Country, nearly 50% of small Native businesses have reported closures and many more have had to layoff staff. Native Nations and their enterprises also report larger unmet capital gaps that will last over six months.
NDN's response
NDN Fund has created three specialized loans with more flexible under-writing targeted at those Native-owned dor tribally-owned businesses that are either adversely impacted by COVID-19 or demonstrate operation in a high-demand industry and/or are applying innovative business strategies. This portfolio will follow NDN Collective’s overall mission and theory of change by prioritizing businesses that demonstrate social and environmental co-benefits.
Available loans
| Loan type | Allocation |
|---|---|
|
Direct loans to small businesses
|
$10,000 - $50,000
|
|
Pre-development bridge/gap loans
|
$50,000 - $200,000
|
|
Tribal enterprise loans
|
$250,000 - $500,000
|
Who can apply for a loan? Native-owned businesses * are eligible to apply for a direct loan ranging from $10,000 – $50,000. Native Nations and/or Tribal Enterprise or Businesses are eligible to apply for either a pre-development bridge or gap loans ranging from $50,000 – $250,000. Tribal enterprises are eligible to apply for a Tribal Enterprise loan ranging from $250,000 – $500,000.
*All businesses have to be in legal existence before the pandemic, before February 15, 2020.
If your business is not yet legally structured, please click here for additional resources on how to get started.
Priority will be given to businesses:
- In the medical supplies or distribution industries.
- Applying alternative business strategies, i.e. changing their business model to pivot quickly to the new marketplace.
- That are tribally-owned and in need of guarantees or cash matches to take advantage of federal stimulus programs.
- Who experienced a loss of other pre-development capital as a result of COVID-19.
- Determined non-essential by their state government, i.e. restaurants, hair salons, etc.
- Enterprises that demonstrate social and environmental benefits aligned with our Resilient and Regenerative Lending Principles
Which loan applications are you prioritizing? NDN Fund will prioritize loans requests from Native-owned and/or tribally-owned businesses that are either adversely impacted by COVID-19 or demonstrate operation in a high-demand industry, as well as those who are applying innovative business strategies. This loan portfolio will follow NDN Collective’s overall mission and theory of change by prioritizing regenerative businesses and developments.
When can I apply for a loan? We will begin accepting loan applications on February ___ 2021.
What do I need to submit a loan application? Along with completing the loan application request, you will need to upload or submit the following (this list not exhaustive and other documents may be required in the application portal):
- Most current business plan
- Last three years of tax returns and financials
- Most recent financial projections (if you have them)
- Resumes of management
How do I apply? Application opportunities will be available via our webpage and we will also have pdf copies of loan applications for those who would prefer to use them. If you are interested in applying for our loan opportunities, please complete the loan inquiry link and we will send you the application (within 24 hours) once the initial loan inquiry is submitted.
*must have at least 50% Native ownership.
Native-Owned business loan portal introduction
Tribal Enterprise Loan Application
Moving Beyond Covid-19: Relief & Resilience
For any questions relating to the loan application process or eligibility, please contact tawny@ndncollective.org
CAPACITY BUILDING & TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE OPPORTUNITIES
Some borrowers will be eligible for free capacity building and technical assistance efforts, which will be determined based on need, funding availability, and alignment (all necessary information will be obtained through the loan application process). Our goal is to help small Native-owned businesses increase their resilience and financial sustainability well past this pandemic and be prepared for any future shocks and stresses.
This round of capacity building services will not be available for Native Nations and tribal enterprises.
Based on feedback from Native businesses affected by COVID-19, NDN Fund is concentrating on the following areas for support:
- Website development and digital presence; will include website development and digital marketing
- Strategic planning; will include business plan development, pivoting business operations, and financial analysis/cash flow projections
- Business development; will include inventory and supply chain management, insurance coverage, marketing, accounting and bookkeeping, and legal formation
- Grant writing/Funding; will include capital acceptance preparation and small business grant application
For any questions relating to the Moving Beyond COVID-19 capacity building services or eligibility, please contact cole@ndncollective.org
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317 Main St #1
Rapid City, SD 57701
P: +1 (605) 791-3999
E: info@ndncollective.org