Northern Initiatives

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How it Works

Northern Initiatives is a community development financial institution (CDFI), a private financial institution that provides loans and business services to small business owners, entrepreneurs, and community organizations that might not qualify for loans from traditional banks for a variety of reasons. CDFIs are certified by the Community Development Financial Institution Fund (CDFI Fund) and the U.S. Department of the Treasury, which provides funds to CDFIs through a variety of programs.*

Business Services	Loan Programs
Capital to expand and launch businesses	Microloans: $50,000 or less
Market expansion guidance	Microloans: $50,000 or less
Counseling for financial and operational aspects of businesses	Small Business Administration Loans (SBA): Less than $250,000
Online marketing services	Other small business loans: $50,000–$500,000
eCommerce solutions	USDA Business and Industry Loans
Training	CDC/504 Loan: Equipment and real estate
Process support for manufacturers	CDC/504 Loan: Equipment and real estate

Funding Focuses On

Small business owners, entrepreneurs, and community organizations that enable the people and communities to thrive.

Funding Limit

Loans range from $1,000–$500,000 with varying terms.

Qualifications

Varies by programs and regions.

Financing Geographic Area

Michigan and Northeast Wisconsin

Community Development Financial Institution Fund. (2011, October 11). Overview of What We Do. Retrieved from cdfifund.gov/Pages/default.aspx

Updated 2/9/26

Accessibility Questions:

For questions about accessibility and/or if you need additional accommodations for a specific document, please send an email to ANR Communications & Marketing at anrcommunications@anr.msu.edu.

Center for Regional Food Systems