Can-Do Funding
Once you’ve submitted your application, a Can-Do Kalamazoo staff member will be in touch to jumpstart the process!
KIVA Loans
Are you an entrepreneur in search of financial support to take your business to the next level? Kiva offers 0% interest loans to individuals at any stage of business development. With a simple platform to share your story and a network of online supporters, many successful Kiva borrowers have achieved their goals.
As a partner of LISC, Can-Do Kalamazoo is excited to bring Kiva funding to our community. We can endorse your campaign to give you added credibility and increase your chances of full funding. Our team will also provide guidance and promotion to help ensure your success. Let’s work together to pave the way for your business growth. Apply for Kiva funding through Can-Do Kalamazoo today!
Microloans
Many entrepreneurs lack the startup capital they need to launch a successful food business. Traditional loans aren’t always accessible to those that need them most. That’s why we’ve decided to partner with Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), Michigan Women Forward and United Way of South Central Michigan to provide short-term, fixed rate, low-interest microloans to qualified borrowers. Our loans come with hands-on support in gathering the required documentation, creating financial projections, and submitting the loan application.
All microloans for this round have been dispersed. Please stay tuned for future microloan opportunities.
Who qualifies?
Eligible applicants include new or existing small food business owners interested in opening, expanding or retaining a business. Each applicant must qualify as meeting all of the following objectives of the microloan program:
- Food business owners that live and do business in Kalamazoo County
- Low- and Moderate-Income Persons
- Black-owned business, Indigenous-owned business, People of Color-owned business, Latinx-owned business, immigrant-owned business, refugee-owned business, LGBTQ-owned business, or business owners with physical and invisible disabilities
What are the amounts of the microloans?
Loan amounts may range from $1,000 to a maximum of $3,000.
What are the terms of the loan?
They are flexible terms of one 1 to 2 years with an interest rate of 1-4%.
What are the eligible uses of the funds?
The microloan funds can be used to:
- Purchase small food production equipment
- Purchase inventory
- Obtain licensing
- Purchase packaging & print labels
- Receive branding & packaging consultation
- Provide working capital
What if I’m worried about paying it back?
What if my credit score is low?
What if I don’t have a Social Security number?
How do I apply or get more information?
All microloans for this round have been dispersed. Please stay tuned for future microloan opportunities.
Scholarships
Starting a business is expensive. That’s why Can-Do Kalamazoo wants to give people who lack capital the opportunity to start businesses. Especially those who have been marginalized by structural inequities. Scholarship funds help aspiring entrepreneurs launch businesses with our ongoing incubation support. We’re currently accepting applications to be considered for a scholarship to attend Can-Do Camp. Find out more by emailing startup@candokalamazoo.org.