Community Reinvestment Fund USA (CRF) — Small Business Loans
Community Reinvestment Fund, USA (CRF)
$50K–$5M (SBA 7(a))
National SBA 7(a) CDFI lender
Community Reinvestment Fund, USA is a national nonprofit Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) and SBA Preferred Lender with more than 35 years of small business lending and nearly $4 billion deployed since 1988. CRF directly originates SBA 7(a) term loans of $50,000 to $5,000,000 for commercial real estate, business acquisition, equipment, debt refinance, and permanent working capital, plus MyPace working-capital financing up to $500,000 and state-program microloans. It lends in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. CRF also operates a network of 160+ mission-driven lenders, so a single application can be considered by multiple organizations, and applying does not affect your credit unless you proceed with a matched lender.
- Funding type
- Loan
- Level
- Private
- Amount range
- $50,000 – $5,000,000
- Realistic amount
- Most CRF small business borrowers take an SBA 7(a) term loan in the low-to-mid six figures. …
- Deadline
- Rolling
- Status
- active
- States
- Nationwide
- Payment model
- loan
Who qualifies
- For-profit small business meeting SBA size standards
- Operating in any of the 50 states or the District of Columbia
- Demonstrates ability to repay from business cash flow
- Use of funds is an eligible SBA 7(a) purpose: commercial real estate, business acquisition, equipment, debt refinance, or permanent working capital
- Not engaged in SBA-ineligible activities
What it covers
Eligible expenses
- Permanent working capital
- Commercial real estate purchase or improvement
- Business acquisition
- Equipment and machinery
- Debt refinance
Ineligible expenses
- SBA-ineligible business activities
- Speculative investment
- Personal, non-business expenses
How to apply
-
1
Apply online at the small business portal
Complete the application at smallbusiness.crfusa.com. Your application is also considered by CRF's network of 160+ mission-driven lenders, and applying does not affect your credit.
~2 hrs
-
2
Match and document review
CRF (or a network lender) reviews your application and use of funds. Provide financials, tax returns, and business details. For SBA 7(a) loans, the lender packages the SBA application.
~8 hrs
-
3
Underwriting and SBA approval
As an SBA Preferred Lender, CRF can make credit decisions under SBA's PLP authority, which can speed approval. Larger real estate/acquisition loans take longer than working-capital loans.
~4 hrs
-
4
Close and fund
Execute loan documents and receive disbursement. If matched to a different network lender, that lender may pull your credit and close the loan.
~4 hrs
One CRF application is quietly shopped across a network of 160+ mission lenders without dinging your credit — so it doubles as a low-risk way to discover which CDFI in your area will fund you. If you want SBA 7(a) speed, note CRF's Preferred Lender status lets it approve in-house rather than waiting on a full SBA review.
Deadline & timing
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis through smallbusiness.crfusa.com. Applying does not affect your credit; a matched lender may pull credit only if you decide to move forward.
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Last reviewed 2026. GrantCompass is an independent funding-discovery tool and is not affiliated with any government agency. Always confirm details on the official program page.