New $5 Million Revolving Loan Fund for Local Nonprofits Launches Dec. 1
Published: 11/26/2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Nov. 26, 2025
Contact:
Phil Pitchford
Public Information Officer
951-826-5975
Charee Gillins
Inland Empire Community Foundation
951-255-4254
New $5 Million Revolving Loan Fund for Local Nonprofits Launches Dec. 1
Funded in part by the City of Riverside, program will strengthen nonprofit capacity and impact
RIVERSIDE, Calif. – A new $5 million revolving loan fund for local non-profits called the Inland Empire Nonprofit Loan Fund will launch Dec. 1, supported by $2.8 million from the Riverside Nonprofit Resilience Fund approved by the Riverside City Council last year.
The fund, which also is supported by $3 million from the San Bernardino County Nonprofit Revolving Loan Fund, represents a historic commitment to bolstering nonprofit resilience and expanding critical services for communities most in need. Starting Dec.1, local nonprofits can apply for flexible, affordable loans designed to help them strengthen operations, manage cash flow, and expand their work, particularly in underserved and low-income communities.
“Non-profits do so much of the heavy lifting that bolsters the efforts of local government,” Mayor Patricia Lock Dawson said. “This revolving loan fund will assist non-profits in growing their reach and the loan repayment will ensure those resources are available for future needs.”
The Inland Empire Community Foundation (IECF) announced the launch today (11/25). The fund -- a partnership of the City of Riverside, San Bernardino County, and the Nonprofit Finance Fund (NFF) – aims to fill a long-standing gap in access to capital for community-based organizations that often face barriers to traditional financing. By improving financial stability and supporting growth, IECF and its partners hope to empower nonprofits to better serve the region’s most vulnerable populations.
“Nonprofits carry so much of the work that holds our region together. This fund gives them access to capital that helps them stay strong and keep serving, especially in communities where support is often hardest to find,” said Michelle Decker, CEO of IECF. “The City of Riverside, San Bernardino County, and IECF share a belief that strong communities start with strong nonprofits. By investing together, we’re helping local organizations build stability and impact across the Inland Empire.”
The Nonprofit Finance Fund, selected by IECF, will oversee loan administration to help local organizations grow, adapt, and serve their communities. Nonprofits serving in the City of Riverside or San Bernardino County may apply for below-market loans ranging from $100,000 to $400,000. As loans are repaid, funds will be available to other nonprofit borrowers, extending the impact of the initial investments.
Loans will help nonprofits navigate growth, funding disruptions, payment delays, and other hurdles to financial stability and social impact. Loan awards will be based on thorough assessments of each applicant’s operational strength, financial stability and repayment capacity, with priority given to organizations that demonstrate strong community impact and alignment with local needs.
“This unique partnership between local governments, the Foundation, and NFF as a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) will get more resources into the hands of nonprofits at a time when their communities are asking more of them,” said Jennifer Kawar, vice president of investor relations at NFF.
The first application window opens from Dec. 1 through Jan. 31, 2026. Interested nonprofit organizations are encouraged to visit www.iegives.org/ienonprofitloanfund to learn more. For further assistance, information sessions will be offered both virtually on Dec. 10 and in-person on Jan. 13-14, 2026. Registration details will be available on the website.
