Programs and results
What we aim to solve
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Certified Business Enterprise Revolving Microloan Fund
The Certified Business Enterprise Revolving Microloan Fund (CBE RMLF)is a financing tool designed to sustain and/or increase the level of business activity, job creation and retention, and provide access to capital for the sustainability and expansion of small businesses for CBEs registered with the District of Columbia Department of Small and Local Business Development (DC DSLBD).
Small Business Technical Assistance and Access to Capital Program
WACIF's Small Business Technical Assistance and Access to Capital Program addresses the need for loan capital and training for small business owners in local low- to moderate-income communities. These entrepreneurs are often unable to obtain financing for their enterprises. In addition to lack of access to funding, a large number of these entrepreneurs also lack the training and support necessary to be successful.
Small Business Administration (SBA) Microloan Fund Program
Wacif is certified by the Small Business Administration (SBA) as small business lender and technical assistance provider for Region III, which includes the District of Columbia, Northern Virginia, and Maryland. Through the program, Wacif manages a revolving loan fund to support small business owners and micro-entrepreneurs with loans up to $50,000.
Access to Capital Loan Fund (ACLF)
Comprised of over 60 socially responsible institutional and individual investors, WACIF’s Access to Capital Loan Fund (ACLF) is a flexible financing pool available for small businesses, childcare centers, affordable housing developers, and community organizations. The fund looks to maximize both economic and social returns by providing affordable financing to create jobs, retain wealth in low- to moderate-income communities, and ensure healthy neighborhoods.
Streetscape Loan Relief Fund
The Streetscape Loan Relief Fund is a program made available through the District's Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD) designed to provide interest-free loans to any individual or entity that operates a retail business inside or adjoining a streetscape construction or rehabilitation project in the District.
Enterprise DC
ENTERPRISE DC is an innovative year-long entrepreneurship training program that provides free personalized assistance to start your small business. Participants receive entrepreneurship training, computer training, financial advice, and business mentoring to support their efforts to turn a hobby or skill into a profitable business.
Where we work
Awards
Commitment to Excellence Award 2006
Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development
Quality Partner Award 2006
Executive Office of the Mayor of the District of Columbia
External reviews

Photos
Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
WACIF's goal is to help level the financial and economic playing field for low- to moderate-income communities in the Washington, DC, metropolitan area. WACIF is piloting a program with the goal of creating a market for locally-sourced loan capital for small businesses.
Organizational goals include becoming CARS-rated within the next 2 years. CARS (CDFI Assessment and Ratings System)-rated. CARS is an independent, third-party rating system for community development financial institutions (CDFIs). This comprehensive review assesses the capacity as well as the organization’s policies and procedures and helps simplify the due diligence process for impact investors. WACIF’s long-term goal is to become a $20 million loan fund within the next 5 years.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
WACIF is employing several strategies to increase our organizational capacity to enable us to better the financial needs of local low- to moderate-income communities. WACIF strives to meet this challenge by seeking capital from a variety of sources, both public and private, including local, state, and federal government agencies, banks, corporations, foundations, and individual and institutional investors. These investments will increase loan capital available to local underserved small business owners, many who would have no access to capital at all, and at rates lower than market interest rates.
WACIF also seeks new sources of operating support. WACIF’s target market includes all low- to moderate-income individuals and communities in the District of Columbia. Although WACIF receives substantial support from local government agencies, this support is for is designated for specific target areas. The total cost of providing technical services at no cost to all of our low- to moderate-income clients is not completely covered. WACIF must make up the difference by obtaining support from foundations, corporations, and individuals. WACIF constantly seeks additional support to continue to provide quality technical assistance to all of our clients.
WACIF has recently received a Service Grant from the Taproot Foundation to update our branding and messaging. This capacity building support will enable us to do a better job of attracting investors and donors interested in investing locally. WACIF is well-respected in the economic development community and seeks to attract more local impact investors.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
Currently, WACIF has $7 million in capital under management, including our own Access to Capital Loan Fund (ACLF), which has been operational for 26 years, has 57 institutional and individual investments, boasts a 95% loan performance rate—and a 100% investor repayment rate. In addition to our own loan fund, WACIF administers and manages several loan pools funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration, the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, and the District of Columbia Department of Small and Local Business Development.
WACIF also has a variety of stakeholders and connections, which is reflected in our extensive email list of approximately 3,000 contacts, ranging from current and previous clients, investors, donors, community organizations, financial professionals, local government agency personnel, and other individuals.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
WACIF continues to leverage our relationships and past successes to increase our services to local underserved communities. WACIF has expand access to capital products and services and technical assistance and entrepreneurial training through partnerships, collaborations, and pilot programs. In addition, WACIF's loan volume and the number of clients served in the past 2 years have increased significantly as a result of an increase in our own organizational capacity.
WACIF has not yet achieved scale in terms of capital available to lend, which is the focus of our Neighborhood Notes Initiative, a pilot program currently in the development stages. With this initiative, WACIF seeks to create a market for locally-sourced investments to provide loan capital to local, underserved entrepreneurs, which will in turn result in job creation and spur community-based economic development.
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
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Washington Area Community Investment Fund, Inc. (Wacif)
Board of directorsas of 02/22/2022
Ms. Nancy Stark
Community Strategy Solutions
Term: 2021 - 2022
Anne Morrison
Morgan Stanley
Tara Palacios
BizLaunch, Arlington (VA) Economic Development
Richard Lowery
Bowie State University
Delroy C Walters
Small Business Owner
Salem Tierce
The Meridian Group
Caitlin Welsh
Department of State
Ross George
Cooperative Assistance Fund
Robb Bunnen
Bunnen Capital Management
Alejandro Golding
Stanton Development
Kristin Faust
PCG Loan Fund
Jamila Braithwaite
Capital One
Joseph Donadoni
Citi Bank
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.
Leadership
The organization's leader identifies as:
Race & ethnicity
Gender identity
Sexual orientation
No data
Disability
No data