We are committed to financial products and services that dismantle systemic racism and lead us toward a Vermont that's equitable for ALL Vermonters.
JUSTICE FORWARD FUND UPDATE, September 1st, 2024
In September 2021, VCLF’s Board of Directors authorized the launch of the Justice Forward Fund, with a $1 million goal for new lending during its initial pilot phase. Since then, we’ve closed 34 JFF loans just surpassing $1.1 million, representing employment for 100 Vermonters. 41% of JFF businesses were start-ups, and 76% of JFF borrowers are Black-owned businesses.
In April 2023, we completed the Justice Forward Fund's pilot phase, and temporarily paused the program for a period of evaluation and evolution. We remain committed to helping Justice Forward Fund borrowers get access to capital to meet their needs, find sustainable success, and build wealth.
We will be relaunching the Justice Forward Fund in Fall 2024.
The JFF will continue to be a microloan program, with a maximum loan amount of $50,000. If your project has other financing needs, or your project’s need is greater than $50,000 or otherwise ineligible for the Justice Forward Fund, we offer a number of affordable business financing options, including the Food, Farms & Forests Fund, TRAILS or our general business loan program.
JUSTICE FORWARD FUND UPDATE, September 1st, 2024
In September 2021, VCLF’s Board of Directors authorized the launch of the Justice Forward Fund, with a $1 million goal for new lending during its initial pilot phase. Since then, we’ve closed 34 JFF loans just surpassing $1.1 million, representing employment for 100 Vermonters. 41% of JFF businesses were start-ups, and 76% of JFF borrowers are Black-owned businesses.
In April 2023, we completed the Justice Forward Fund's pilot phase, and temporarily paused the program for a period of evaluation and evolution. We remain committed to helping Justice Forward Fund borrowers get access to capital to meet their needs, find sustainable success, and build wealth.
We will be relaunching the Justice Forward Fund in Fall 2024.
The JFF will continue to be a microloan program, with a maximum loan amount of $50,000. If your project has other financing needs, or your project’s need is greater than $50,000 or otherwise ineligible for the Justice Forward Fund, we offer a number of affordable business financing options, including the Food, Farms & Forests Fund, TRAILS or our general business loan program.
If you'd like to be notified when the Justice Forward Fund relaunches in late 2024, please reach out vclf@vclf.org to be added to our inquiry list.
Every business owner who comes to the Loan Fund is important to us. We want you to succeed, and we want to help you get there. We're trying our best to handle a lot of interest in the Justice Forward Fund right now. Our staff is committed to speaking with everyone who contacts us. We promise we'll reach out to you within 48 hours. Thank you for understanding!
VCLF recognizes the injustice and inequity perpetrated by the legacy of systemic racism in financial systems, in America, and in Vermont. We are committed to building new ways to move capital to those who have been historically, systemically disenfranchised and denied access to opportunity.
VCLF's mission is to create access to capital for all Vermonters. Through the Justice Forward Fund, we direct a portion of our impact investment capital to serving Vermonters traditionally and generationally excluded from conventional financial markets and services: Black Vermonters, Indigenous Vermonters and Vermonters of Color, or, BIPOC Vermonters.
In an effort to preserve and grow wealth within the communities we're seeking to serve, and make Justice Forward Fund financing as equitable and accessible as possible, the Fund has the following unique characteristics that differentiate it from other VCLF loan programs:
- A streamlined loan application
- No up-front fees
- No credit score requirement
- No collateral requirement
- Interest rates between 0 - 3%
VCLF recognizes the injustice and inequity perpetrated by the legacy of systemic racism in financial systems, in America, and in Vermont. We are committed to building new ways to move capital to those who have been historically, systemically disenfranchised and denied access to opportunity.
VCLF's mission is to create access to capital for all Vermonters. Through the Justice Forward Fund, we direct a portion of our impact investment capital to serving Vermonters traditionally and generationally excluded from conventional financial markets and services: Black Vermonters, Indigenous Vermonters and Vermonters of Color, or, BIPOC Vermonters.
In an effort to preserve and grow wealth within the communities we're seeking to serve, and make Justice Forward Fund financing as equitable and accessible as possible, the Fund has the following unique characteristics that differentiate it from other VCLF loan programs:
- A streamlined loan application
- No up-front fees
- No credit score requirement
- No collateral requirement
- Interest rates between 0 - 3%
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