Shimer Square

Mount Carroll, Illinois

A different kind of loan from a different kind of lender.

Bridge Investment Community Development Corporation (Bridge Investment) is a mission-driven, non-profit Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) committed to helping small businesses and microenterprises by providing loan capital with flexible terms and rates to help them sustain and grow. Bridge Investment is a national non-profit, but focuses its work in the states of Iowa and Illinois within areas with the highest need. Loans outside of Iowa and Illinois will be considered on a case by case basis. Business applicants may be in the start-up phase, existing, or expanding.

We are a CDFI. Community development financial institutions (CDFIs) are dedicated to delivering responsible lending opportunities. By putting community first, we offer fair and affordable loans and financial products that will facilitate your access to financial opportunities and success. CDFIs reach deep and lend where it counts.

ACHIEVE YOUR GOALS

Find a Loan that is Right for Your Business

Apply Now

Bridge Investment Community Development Corporation is a mission-driven lender that looks beyond the numbers to find the right loan program for you. Each relationship we have with a customer is unique so we can work together to meet their personal financial needs. We are a trustworthy lending alternative for small businesses, without the high repayment costs.

Initial Criteria

The following application is designed to streamline the process for applicants to move forward as efficiently as possible. The first step is to provide some basic information about yourself and your business.

Please click the link below and make an account based on the type of loan you are seeking. Bridge Investment utilizes the Lenderfit loan application platform, and the link will direct you to Lenderfit. Your information will go directly to our Loan Officer.

Once you create an account you’ll provide your name, business name, need for a loan, and amount you are seeking.

Microloans Up To $10,000

Apply Online

Small Business Loan $10,000 or more

Apply Online

Once you meet our initial eligibility criteria, you’ll receive an email by our Loan Officer with a link to our Lenderfit loan application platform. Once you’re logged in, you’ll see a checklist outlining the underwriting process and the items we will need you to submit along the way. You can send any questions you have directly through the message feature on the Lenderfit portal.

You’ll be asked to upload the following:

Last 2-3 years Business Tax Return
Year To Date Balance Sheet and Income Statement
Monthly or Quarterly Profit and Loss Statement
Current list of all debt balances and monthly payments

We know that Bridge Investment’s loan programs are a critical resource for business owners, and we will work as quickly as we can to process the information. Our goal is to process within 48 hours of the receiving a completed application.

SERVICES

Bridge Investment CDC provides community-based lending services to finance business activities, real estate activities, and predevelopment activities.

Loan terms, rates and conditions are determined based on the overall request and credit risk.

Provide Working Capital

To address working cash flow needs of existing or expanding businesses through small business and microlending.

Provide Patient Capital

To entities utilizing development agreements for the purpose of real estate transactions.

Provide Short-term Gap Financing

To entities seeking to assist with pre-development costs of businesses or real estate activities.

Development Services

By offering loans, guidance, and resources to small and emerging businesses, Bridge Investment is looking to create community impact, emphasize projects that are in highly distressed locations, have strong alignment with other community initiatives, create jobs, and provide critical services. We will work individually with each borrower to ensure that the loan product is aligned with your business needs.

Service Area and Requirements

While Bridge Investment is a national non-profit, it is a certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) serving Investment Areas throughout Iowa and Illinois. Businesses located within Investment Areas are encouraged to apply. To qualify to be within an Investment Area, the business must be located within areas that have the following characteristics. A CDFI Investment Area is defined as a geographic unit such as a census tract, that meets at least one of the following criteria:

Has a population poverty rate of at least 20 percent;
Has an unemployment rate 1.5 times the national average;
For a metropolitan area has a median family income (MFI) at or below 80 percent of the greater of either the metropolitan or national metropolitan MFI;
For a non-metropolitan area that has an MFI at or below 80 percent of the greater of either the statewide or national non-metropolitan MFI;
Is wholly located within an Empowerment Zone or Enterprise Community; or
Has a county population loss greater than or equal to 10 percent between the two most recent census periods for Metro areas or five percent over last five years for Non-Metro areas

To learn more about your location in terms of Investment Area, and to apply, please email us.

ABOUT

Impact

Bridge Investment works to advance job creation and economic guidance by providing community development financing to businesses and projects that matter. By offering loans, guidance, and resources, Bridge Investment works to empower entrepreneurs to be a catalyst for change in their communities.

Since its inception in 2014, Bridge Investment has been working to build up its capacity to make a difference in communities that need it most. Bridge Investment has grown from a non-profit with $100,000 in start-up funds to an organization that has originated over $4 million in loans to create and grow small businesses, preserve affordable housing, and jobs.

A certified CDFI since 2017, Bridge Investment initial CDFI footprint expanded in 2020 from a 6-county area to statewide Investment Areas across Iowa and Illinois.

Projects financed by Bridge Investment have strong community alignment with other initiatives that create jobs and generate additional private investment. This investment helps to strengthen economically disadvantaged communities. You can see our impact here.

Loans Made

$ 0 ,000

Loans Originated

Jobs Created & Retained

Small Businesses & Microenterprises Financed to Date

Affordable Housing Developments Financed to Date

ABOUT

Board of Directors

Governing Board

American Bank & Trust

Chuck Sorensen

Modern Woodmen of America

Dr. Ahmed Okba

TBK Bank

Justin Peterson

BankORION

Kevin Schoonmaker, Chair

Estes Construction

Ric Parades

Quad City Bank & Trust

Marcus Wynn

U.S. Bancorp Community Development Corporation

Dan Blocher

Bush Construction

Sameer Kulkarni

Russell Construction

John Daly

Community State Bank

Karen Reynolds

Sauk Valley Bank

Dirk Meminger, Secretary

Development Association of Rock Island, Inc.

Frank Nowinski

SENB Bank

Matt Wynn, Treasurer

CBI Bank & Trust

Loan Committee

Kevin Schoonmaker

Chair

Vacant

Vice Chair

Matt Wynn

Treasurer

Dirk Meminger

Secretary

Advisory Board

Loredia Dixon

Open Door Program

Denise Isaac

FINRA

Shelley Sheehy

River Cities Development Services

Molly Newell

EnviroNET

Shelly Tucciarelli

Turtle Clan Development Services

Dan Hawkins

Ward Murray Pace & Johnson

Rick Seidler

Central States Development Partners, CDE

Our Partners

Contributions

Contributions by Board of Directors

Membership

Management

Bridge Investment has a management agreement with Economic Growth Corporation (GROWTH), an experienced national non-profit specializing in all aspects of community development. It is through this management agreement that GROWTH’s President/CEO, Chief Financial Officer, and Vice President devote time to support the organization and meet its strategic goals and business strategies. Through this management agreement, GROWTH provides financial services, administrative, operations, and strategic planning assistance.

Annual Reports

2022 Annual Report

2021 Annual Report

2020 Annual Report

2019 Annual Report

2018 Annual Report

2017 Annual Report

Ask A Question About Our Loans

Have questions about our Loan Products? Schedule a 15 minute consultation with our loan officer today.

SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION

Learn More About Financial Literacy/Training

Have questions about our Financial Literacy & Training programs? Schedule a consultation with our loan officer today.

SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION

Get Involved

Join Bridge Investment and have a seat at the table to help change communities and make a difference for businesses.

BECOME A MEMBER

Contact Bridge Investment

Frank Perez, Loan Officer

Frank Perez joined Bridge Investment Community Development Corporation as Loan Officer on June 1, 2020. With over 20 years of lending experience, Frank is in charge of outreach and loan intake for Bridge Investment, helping to grow Bridge Investment’s loan portfolio by working with our existing borrowers and new businesses in Iowa and Illinois. He will also work to advance objectives within the 2020-2022 Strategic Plan in helping to increase Bridge Investment’s impact and help to establish a visible and independent market presence through various outreach activities.

fperez@bridgeinvestmentcdc.org

309-732-4024

Offering financial programs and services to help communities become more vibrant places to live. Bridge Investment aims to support business, stabilize neighborhoods, create jobs, and change communities.

Address

100 19th Street, Suite 104

Rock Island, Illinois 61201

Phone

309-732-4024

Bridge Investment Community Development Corporation is an equal opportunity provider. In accordance with federal law and U.S. Department of the Treasury policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, familial status, national origin, sex, age, or disability. To file a complaint of discrimination, write to Department of the Treasury, Office of Civil Rights and Diversity, 1500 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. 20220 or call (202) 622-1160.

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