Non-extractive financing means we don’t pull wealth out of the business—we help build it up from within. Our loan fund is structured to ensure that businesses can thrive and grow without being overburdened by debt. For example, coops don’t have to make repayments unless they are financially stable and the personal assets of workers are not used as collateral.
Our loan fund is designed to empower workers who have historically been denied access to capital due to systemic barriers such as race, origin, economic or immigration status, gender, and age. By focusing on non-extractive financing, we ensure loans do not create financial strain on the businesses we serve. Instead, we prioritize wealth-building for workers, job retention, and improving the quality of work.
We believe that businesses should serve their communities and workers. That’s why our loan fund centers on:
We prioritize businesses that create opportunities for people historically excluded from financial systems.
We support businesses committed to being worker-owned or democratically controlled.
We seek businesses that meet local needs, save jobs, and improve working conditions.
If your business is a cooperative, transitioning to worker ownership, or committed to becoming democratically governed, the first step is to fill out our online intake form. Once we’ve received your submission, you’ll be able to schedule a call with Ashley Ortiz, our TA Director and loan fund expert, to discuss your business needs and start the process.