South Carolina Community Loan Fund (SCCLF) — Small Business Loans
South Carolina Community Loan Fund (SCCLF)
~$5K-$1M
Mission-driven SC small-business loans
A certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) providing affordable, flexible financing to South Carolina small businesses and nonprofits that strengthen communities, especially in economically challenged areas and for borrowers who may not qualify for conventional bank financing. Loans run from roughly $5,000 up to about $1,000,000 with below-market rates for qualifying borrowers, and can fund acquisition, predevelopment, infrastructure, construction, renovation, leasehold improvements, machinery and equipment, working capital, and permanent financing. SCCLF also runs the Local Entrepreneur Acceleration Program (LEAP), a 10-week business-development training and mentorship program. The fund operates statewide with offices in Charleston, Columbia, and Greenville.
- Funding type
- Loan
- Level
- Private
- Amount range
- $5,000 – $1,000,000
- Realistic amount
- Most SCCLF small-business loans fall well below the $1M ceiling — commonly in the tens of th…
- Deadline
- Rolling — loan inquiries accepted year-round.
- Status
- active
- States
- South Carolina
- Payment model
- loan
Who qualifies
- Small business or nonprofit located in South Carolina
- Project should create jobs, provide essential services, or improve neighborhood economic vitality
- Particularly aimed at borrowers in economically challenged communities and those who may not qualify for conventional bank financing
- Must demonstrate a viable project and ability to repay
- Food Retail track: grocery stores, corner stores, farmers' markets, food hubs, or mobile markets expanding healthy-food access
What it covers
Eligible expenses
- Acquisition
- Predevelopment
- Infrastructure
- Construction and renovation
- Leasehold improvements
- Machinery and equipment
- Working capital
- Permanent financing
Ineligible expenses
- Projects with no community-development benefit
- Speculative investments
- Personal, non-business expenses
How to apply
-
1
Submit a loan inquiry
Complete SCCLF's loan inquiry form at sccommunityloanfund.org/apply and describe your business, project, and financing need.
~2 hrs
-
2
Work with an SCCLF lender
An SCCLF staff member follows up to discuss eligibility, project fit, and documentation. Consider the LEAP program if you need business-development support.
~3 hrs
-
3
Submit a full application and financials
Provide business financials, projections, a project budget, and supporting documents for underwriting.
~8 hrs
-
4
Underwriting, approval, and closing
SCCLF underwrites the loan, approves terms (flexible, below-market for qualifying borrowers), and closes. Funds disburse per the project.
~3 hrs
SCCLF lends to borrowers banks turn down, so lead with the community impact — jobs created, essential services provided, or healthy-food access — because that mission fit is part of how they underwrite. If your financials need work, enroll in the free 10-week LEAP program first; it doubles as a relationship-builder with the lender.
Deadline & timing
No cycle; prospective borrowers submit a loan inquiry form and SCCLF works with them directly. LEAP cohorts run on a periodic 10-week schedule.
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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.