Providing Financing to Food Cooperatives

The National Co-op Grocers Development Cooperative Loan Fund (NCG-DC Loan Fund) is a partnership between the National Cooperative Grocers and Capital Impact Partners to provide financing to food cooperatives seeking to expand, consolidate debt, and make capital improvements. Member cooperatives invest in the NCG-DC Loan Fund that lends money to other members. All interest and fees provide a return to the cooperatives that have invested in the fund.

Through this loan fund, Capital Impact Partners builds on our 30-year history of support for cooperative development.

National Cooperative Grocers Development Cooperative Loan Fund Overview

Mission-driven lending initiative designed to finance projects that increase capacity for food cooperatives
Financing solutions tailored to meet individual project needs
Ability to work with single-site operators and multi-site organizations
Low transaction costs

Our Partner

We’re here to answer your questions.

Alison Powers

Director of Economic Opportunities

apowers@capitalimpact.org

Advantages of Borrowing through Capital Impact Partners

As a mission-driven organization, we are committed to supporting projects that create social and economic justice.

Thirty years of experience in cooperative lending. We understand the unique needs of cooperative businesses and understand how to work with cooperative governing bodies.
Ability to offer a variety of financing options under terms not available through traditional financial institutions.
Mission-driven organization committed to partnering with borrowers to ensure good projects get funded
All interest and fees provide a return to your fellow investor cooperatives
In addition to funding your project, the NCG-DC can provide technical and other assistance to get your co-op ready to submit a successful loan application.

Stories of Impact

Filling the Gap for Washington D.C.’s Uninsured

For many years, uninsured residents of Washington D.C.’s Ward 5 had to rely on a small, outdated clinic. That all changed when we helped Unity Health open a new 26,000 sq. ft. facility, vastly increasing its services offered to patients.

Nourishing the Neighborhood for 20 Years

When Sam Shina wanted to revamp his neighborhood store to better serve his Detroit neighborhood with healthy, local and affordable offerings he turned to Capital Impact Partners. With $6 million in financing, Sam was able to double the size of his store and create a host of new jobs.

Delivering Food and Friendships to Those in Need

Age-friendly communities require a range of support services, including access to nutritious food. Our financing of the Meals on Wheels program near Fort Worth, Texas helped build a new warehouse and modern kitchen facilities. This will help expand meal deliveries by 50% to at least 1.5 million meals annually for a mostly low-income older population.