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Small Dollar Loan Program is a grant program from the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (U.S. Department of the Treasury) that funds certified CDFIs to expand affordable small-dollar consumer loan products as alternatives to predatory lending in underserved communities. Launched in 2021, the program has awarded over $40.
2 million across three funding rounds to help CDFIs scale up responsible lending at the small-dollar level. Eligible applicants are certified Community Development Financial Institutions with a demonstrated track record of serving low-income and underserved borrowers in their communities.
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# Small Dollar Loan Program | Community Development Financial Institutions Fund **Official websites use** A **. gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
**Secure websites use HTTPS** Community Development Financial Institutions Fund U.S. Department of the Treasury ##### Top Navigation Second * Community Development Advisory Board * Bank Enterprise Award (BEA) Program * Capital Magnet Fund (CMF) Program * CDFI Bond Guarantee Program * CDFI Equitable Recovery Program * CDFI Rapid Response Program * New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) Program * Small Dollar Loan Program * Compliance and Performance Reporting Resources * Opportunity Zones Resources * Searchable Awards Database * NMTC Allocatee States Served * Historical Award Documents * Program Eligibility Guidance * Message From the Director [](https://www.
cdfifund. gov/programs-training/programs/sdlp) 4. Small Dollar Loan Program # Small Dollar Loan Program The Small Dollar Loan Program was created to help Certified CDFIs address the issue of expanding consumer access to mainstream financial institutions and provide alternatives to high cost small dollar loans.
* Launched in 2021, the CDFI Fund has provided more than $40. 2 million in SDL Program awards to CDFIs through three program rounds. Download SDL Program Fact Sheet (English) › Download SDL Program Fact Sheet (Español) › At least one quarter of American households do not have a bank account or rely on costly payday lenders and check-cashing outlets to pay their expenses.
The Small Dollar Loan Program (SDL Program) is intended to expand consumer access to financial institutions by providing alternatives to high-cost small dollar lending. The SDL Program provides grants for Loan Loss Reserves and Technical Assistance to enable Certified CDFIs to establish and maintain small dollar loan programs.
These grants will help unbanked and underbanked populations build credit, access affordable capital, and allow greater access into the mainstream financial system.
SDL Program grants may only be used to support small dollar loan programs that offer small dollar loans to consumers that: * are made in amounts that do not exceed $2,500; * must be repaid in installments; * have no prepayment penalty; and, * have payments that are reported to a least one of the consumer reporting agencies that compiles and maintain files on consumers on a nationwide basis.
SDL Program grants cannot be used to provide direct loans to consumers. To be eligible to apply for a Small Dollar Loan Program award, your organization must be a: * Partnership between a Certified CDFI and any Federally Insured Depository Institution with a primary mission to serve targeted Investment Areas; or, * Partnership between two or more Certified CDFIs.
Please view the Notice of Funds Availability for the SDL Program to learn more about eligibility requirements for the program. ### Are you an individual or business seeking a loan? Click here to learn how to find CDFIs and CDEs that are providing services in your community.
* STEP 3 | Award Announcement * STEP 4 | Closing and Disbursement * CLOSING AND DISBURSEMENT * STEP 5 | Compliance and Reporting * COMPLIANCE AND REPORTING **Awards**Looking for more about Awards for this program? Find it on our Awards page › **Our Impact**Learn more about the impact of the CDFI Fund on our Impact Blog › ## CDFI Fund Tools & Resources ### ACCESS TOOLS AND RESOURCES Access the CDFI Fund's database systems below.
Use the Awards Database search to find CDFI Fund awardees by state for all of the CDFI Fund's programs.
* **Compliance and Performance Reporting Resources** * AboutCareersCommunity Development Advisory Board * Programs & TrainingCertificationProgramsTraining & TA * Tools & ResourcesAMISCIMS Mapping ToolCompliance and Performance Reporting ResourcesOpportunity Zones Resources * AwardsSearchable Awards DatabaseNMTC Allocatee States ServedHistorical Award Documents * Research & DataResearch ReportsData ReleasesProgram Eligibility GuidanceSnap Stat * News & EventsAnnouncementsMessage From the DirectorRequests for CommentsUpcoming Events Community Development Financial Institutions Fund United States Department of the Treasury ##### Footer Link Menu First * Small & Disadvantaged Businesses ##### Footer Link Menu Second
Based on current listing details, eligibility includes: Certified Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs). Applicants should confirm final requirements in the official notice before submission.
Current published award information indicates Over $40.2 million in awards through three program rounds (launched in 2021) Always verify allowable costs, matching requirements, and funding caps directly in the sponsor documentation.
The current target date is rolling deadlines or periodic funding windows. Build your timeline backwards from this date to cover registrations, approvals, attachments, and final submission checks.
Federal grant success rates typically range from 10-30%, varying by agency and program. Build a strong proposal with clear objectives, measurable outcomes, and a well-justified budget to improve your chances.
Requirements vary by sponsor, but typically include a project narrative, budget justification, organizational capability statement, and key personnel CVs. Check the official notice for the complete list of required attachments.
Yes — AI tools like Granted can help research funders, draft proposal sections, and check compliance. However, always review and customize AI-generated content to reflect your organization's unique strengths and the specific requirements of the solicitation.
Review timelines vary by funder. Federal agencies typically take 3-6 months from submission to award notification. Foundation grants may be faster, often 1-3 months. Check the program's timeline in the official solicitation for specific dates.
Many federal programs offer multi-year funding or allow competitive renewals. Check the official solicitation for continuation and renewal policies. Non-competing continuation applications are common for multi-year awards.
Capital Magnet Fund (CMF) is sponsored by Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (U.S. Department of the Treasury). Capital Magnet Fund (CMF) is a competitive grant program from the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (U. S. Department of the Treasury) that funds affordable housing development and community facilities serving low-income people and communities.
Bank Enterprise Award Program is sponsored by Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (U.S. Department of the Treasury). The BEA Program provides awards to FDIC-insured institutions for increasing their support of CDFIs and advancing their community development activities in distressed communities. These activities promote economic opportunity and impact real lives nationwide.
The Fund for Women & Girls Grant Program is sponsored by The Foundation for Enhancing Communities (TFEC). The Fund for Women & Girls, an initiative of TFEC, makes grants to local nonprofit organizations in specific South Central PA counties. The grants support projects that advance the lives of women and girls by providing opportunities to address basic needs, develop economic self-sufficiency, and strengthen health and safety needs.
VGF grants will be used to develop and/or support community-based entities to recruit, manage, and support volunteers. CNCS seeks to fund effective approaches that expand volunteering, strengthen the capacity of volunteer connector organizations to recruit and retain skill-based volunteers, and develop strategies to use volunteers effectively to solve problems. Specifically, the VGF grants will support efforts that expand the capacity of volunteer connector organizations to recruit, manage, support and retain individuals to serve in high quality volunteer assignments.Applicants that receive funding under this Notice may directly carry out the activities supported under the award, or may carry out the activities by making sub-grants to community-based entities, supporting volunteer generation at these entities.). Funding Opportunity Number: AC-05-25-21. Assistance Listing: 94.021. Funding Instrument: G. Category: O. Award Amount: $6.1M total program funding.