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
We see people, not numbers. We are a financial partner that looks beyond the numbers to find the right loan opportunity for you. Each relationship we have with a customer is unique so that we can work together to meet their personal financial needs. We are a trustworthy lending alternative for small businesses, without the high repayment costs.
We’re here to listen. We’re here to help you plan. Bridge Investment Community Development Corporation is here to help you achieve your goals. Apply today.
ONLINE LOAN APPLICATION FORM
It is Bridge Investment’s policy not to discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, age (provided the applicant has the capacity to contract), the fact that all or part of the applicant’s income is derived from a public assistance program, or the fact that the applicant has, in good faith, exercised any right under the Consumer Credit Protection Act. Further, Bridge Investment will not discriminate in any aspect of lending transactions based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, familial status, or handicap. Bridge Investment will not deny credit, limit the amount of credit, or increase the finance charge on the basis of these factors, and different application procedures or evaluation criteria based on these factors will not be used. Bridge Investment will consider applications that align with its mission to create and retain jobs in low-and-moderate-income and underserved areas.
Small Business
Business loans generally will range in size from $10,000 to $100,000 with favorable terms.
Microloans
Allows for loans to new or existing businesses starting from $500 to $10,00 for working capital, purchasing inventory, buying equipment, machinery, and hiring needs.
Microloans – Limited
Offers financial help to certain small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. For a limited time only, Bridge Investment is offering microloans to help with operating and business capital to small businesses and microenterprises with a microloan up to $10,000 with no payments and no interest for the first 6 months of the loan to help your business stay on course.
Black Business Loan Program
Intended to help grow and increase diversity, the Black Business Loan Program will provide loan funds anywhere from $10,000 to $100,000 to Black-owned businesses in low-and-moderate income communities throughout Iowa and Illinois.
Contractor Capacity Building Program
Intended to build capacity of small contractors that are participating in public funded home rehabilitation programs funded by state agencies (such as the Illinois Housing Development Authority), providing financing 80% up front of total construction contract until construction is complete with favorable terms.
SERVICES
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.
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:
To learn more about your location in terms of Investment Area, and to apply, please email us.
ABOUT
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
Jobs Created & Retained
Small Businesses & Microenterprises Financed to Date
Affordable Housing Developments Financed to Date
ABOUT
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
Lawrence Davis
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
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.
2022 Annual Report
2021 Annual Report
2020 Annual Report
2019 Annual Report
2018 Annual Report
2017 Annual Report
Have questions about our Loan Products? Schedule a 15 minute consultation with our loan officer today.
Have questions about our Financial Literacy & Training programs? Schedule a consultation with our loan officer today.
Join Bridge Investment and have a seat at the table to help change communities and make a difference for businesses.
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.
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.
© 2023 Bridge Investment Community Development