Financing Small Businesses

Business Loans

Small and mid-sized businesses are engines of economic opportunity and growth.

a couple of people that are standing in a store

Too many entrepreneurs with good ideas and strong businesses don’t qualify for traditional bank financing – that’s why Craft3 is here.

Personal

We take the time to get to know you and understand your business.

Accessible

You don’t need perfect credit or full collateral to be approved.

Different

As a nonprofit mission-driven lender, we’re focused on what’s best for our customers and communities.

LOANS FOR SMALL BUSINESSES

What makes Craft3 different?

We’re a community development financial institution (CDFI) – not a bank. We use capital and financial tools to enable entrepreneurs to invest in their businesses so they can build a better future.

Community Crafted Lending

We’re a nonprofit mission-driven lender focused on doing what’s best for our customers and communities.

Customer-Focused

We don’t push products. Instead, we take the time to get to know you and understand your situation.

More Than A Lender

We empower our customers by providing resources and advice, in addition to capital.

a man and a woman standing in front of a flower shop

GROW AND DEVELOP YOUR BUSINESS

General Business Loans

To start and grow a business, you’ll likely need capital and a trusted financing partner. Our business loans can empower you to take advantage of opportunities. From start-up capital, to equipment purchases, and even to business acquisitions, we’re here to help turn your ideas into reality.

Finance a funding gap for my nonprofit

Bridge Loans

Craft3 offers bridge financing, typically for capital campaigns and grants. We specialize in working with nonprofits to help them get started on projects before a capital campaign is complete or grant funding has been received.

Buy a building or other real estate

Owner-Occupied Commercial Real Estate Loans

Owning your building can be a game-changer. It can be a buffer against gentrification and economic downturns, as well as an enduring asset. Traditional capital and equity requirements put real estate purchases out of reach for too many. We aim to change that.

BUILD OR IMPROVE A BUILDING

Construction Loans

A construction loan can let you finance a building project or tenant improvements. Our lenders and underwriters are experienced at structuring and executing construction loans and they can help you navigate the entire process.

Shari’a-Compliant Financing

Shari’a-Compliant Financing

Muslims who seek to live in accordance with Shari’a principles are unable to access conventional debt capital because of Islam’s prohibition against charging or paying interest. To better serve the growing Muslim community in the Pacific Northwest, Craft3 has worked with key partners to develop two types of Shari’a-compliant financing.

CREATING CHANGE

Serving Entrepreneurs

Since 1994, Craft3 has provided nearly 1,000 loans to entrepreneurs of color, and indigenous-, woman-, immigrant-, and veteran-owned businesses.

Customer Stories

A Permanent Home for Tattoo 34

A Craft3 loan helped Tattoo 34 purchase a commercial building with a 10 percent down payment. They plan to use the one-bedroom apartment above the shop to host tattoo artists from around the world. Owning their building is also a buffer against gentrification.

Featured Resources

Tips and Tricks

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For Businesses

Glossary of Finance and Business Terms

If you’re interested in starting or expanding a business, you’ll likely encounter lots of terms and acronyms. This glossary will hopefully help you make sense of unfamiliar words and equip you for your business journey.

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For Businesses

The Definitive Guide to Getting Loan Ready

We want to make the loan process as clear and transparent as possible. Here are some resources to support business preparation and growth.

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For Businesses

Your Business Journey

We hope this business journey worksheet helps you think about your next steps and anticipate potential setbacks.

Our Team

"Small businesses are heart of our local economies. Entrepreneurship for immigrants and folks of color can be difficult through no fault of their own. My life’s work revolves around empowering underserved communities, and helping people reimagine what the future can hold."

Aldo Medina Martinez
Commercial Lending Team Manager, VP