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CDR Launches KIVA Crowdfunded Microloans

Kiva, a global nonprofit that provides crowdfunded microloans to individuals and entrepreneurs, announces a new partnership with Lincoln Partnership for Economic Development and Community Development Resources (CDR) who will serve as the local Kiva “Hub.” Through this partnership, Kiva and Community Development Resources will unlock access to capital for Kiva Lincoln area entrepreneurs and small business owners.

Kiva U.S. is an innovative funding model within Kiva’s global nonprofit program. After the success of Kiva’s international efforts, Kiva recognized the need to address financial exclusion in the U.S. by supporting local entrepreneurs and started the Kiva U.S. program in 2011. Since its beginning, Kiva U.S. has facilitated the crowdfunding of $50 Million from 230,000+ lenders to 9,000+ borrowers. Thanks to its 40+ locally based Hub partners across the United States and its territories, Kiva microloans provide affordable, risk-tolerant capital to historically underserved borrowers and communities.

Through Kiva and CDR’s partnership, anyone can help support and grow small businesses and promote local job creation by visiting Kiva.org and choosing an entrepreneur they want to support with a loan of $25 or more. Entrepreneurs apply directly to Kiva’s U.S. site to fundraise on the platform and are connected to millions of Kiva lenders. It also enables local lenders to make direct loans to entrepreneurs in their neighborhoods.

Small business loans crowdfunded through Kiva U.S. are offered at 0% interest with no fees and are available to borrowers who may be rejected or underserved by traditional lenders. Instead of traditional methods for assessing creditworthiness such as credit history, net worth, or years in business, Kiva U.S. uses a social underwriting approach that sources friend and family support. Kiva and CDR welcome area business owners to apply for a loan ranging from $1k - $15k. Applicants must be at least 18 years old, not actively in bankruptcy or foreclosure, and the loan must be used for businesses that are legal on a federal level.

To learn more about being a lender or applying for a 0% interest business loan, contact Mitch Elam at melam@cdr-nebraska.org for more information on Kiva US microloans.

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About Kiva

Kiva is a global nonprofit, founded in 2005, with a mission to expand financial access and help underserved communities thrive. Kiva unlocks capital for borrowers through crowdfunded loans supported by individuals around the world. With as little as $25, you can support entrepreneurs and small business owners in the U.S. and across the globe with critical access to funding. Over two million people have invested $1.8 billion in real dreams and real opportunity, spanning more than 90 countries and 4.7 million borrowers.

CDR Receives FNBO Impact Grant

CDR recently received a $10,000 Impact Grant from FNBO to work with ECHO Collective to provide training, loan funds, and the support to female immigrants wanting to start or own a small business.

CDR appreciates the partnership with FNBO and support it has provided in furthering CDR's mission in the Lincoln community.

CDR Welcomes New Executive Director

Community Development Resources (CDR) Board of Directors recently announced the selection of Farshad Maltes as its new Executive Director. Farshad started with CDR in early December following a national search for an executive director which CDR has not had in place since the passing of their founder Rick Wallace in 2016.

“Farshad brings a unique set of skills and abilities that will truly advantage Lincoln’s aggressive affordable housing development goals,” said Mark Hesser, CDR board chair. “He is recognized as a national expert on many of the complex financial instruments CDR seeks to incorporate into our local affordable housing development efforts, and we are lucky to bring his skills to our community.”

Community Development Resources is a nonprofit community development financial institution whose purpose is to provide financing for economic and affordable housing development activities that primarily benefit low-income populations and neighborhoods. CDR was originally founded in 1994 to provide loans and technical assistance to low income and minority individuals looking to start or grow their small business.

In early 2022, CDR went through a strategic change adding financing and technical assistance for affordable housing to their portfolio of work. The transition to the new strategy and purpose was led by Mark Hansen, who served as interim executive director until Maltes was hired.

Maltes joins CDR with more than 30 years of experience in community development financing. He most recently served as the President/CEO of Community Capital New York, and prior to that worked for the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority. Throughout his career Maltes has overseen multiple small business, commercial real estate, and affordable housing lending programs benefit low-income communities, managing portfolios as large as $575 million.

“Both Lincoln and Nebraska in general have a refreshing unified focus on solving the affordable housing challenges in our communities,” said Maltes. “There is agreement on the need for more affordable housing to support economic growth and the well-being of our neighborhoods. I am looking forward to working together on this goal.”

Maltes earned a Bachelor’s Degree with high honors from Haverford College. He also has a Masters in Business Administration and a Masters in Public Policy from the University of Wisconsin—Madison.

SBA 504 Program Just Reached Over $100 Billion in All Time Loan Fundings

We’re celebrating over $100B in all-time 504 financing.  Congratulations to our fellow CDC lenders, the @SBA, third party lenders, 504 champions in Congress and our community partners for helping the CDC lending industry reach a historic milestone.  Our dedication and commitment has helped over 175,000 small businesses receive over $100 billion in SBA 504 financing, which supports over $250 billion in economic development across the nation.

Local Ice Cream Success Story Started With a Dream

Tyler Mannix didn’t grow up thinking that he would own an ice cream shop someday. Tyler was building a solid career for himself at a local software company when he came up with the idea to open an ice cream shop. The idea wouldn’t go away.  

Key to Success—Managing Risk

Tyler started 402 Creamery in 2017. For several years he continued to work his full-time software job to support his family. He made ice cream on the side as his second job at night. Retaining his day job was the first way he reduced risk during the ramp up of the new business. It took a lot of hours to do both!

His first location in Lincoln was downtown on N Street, where he shared space with another food business. Sharing space was the second strategy Tyler used to reduce his startup risk and sharing space increased customer traffic. 

Key to Success—Quality & Creativity

Tyler’s dream from the beginning was to make ice cream from scratch with local ingredients when possible and to have unique blends of flavors. His philosophy is stated on the first line on his website: “Small batch, super premium, made from scratch ice cream.”

402 Creamery has developed a very loyal customer base by providing Signature Flavors that are available year around and by introducing new Seasonal Flavors. If a new flavor is a big hit, Tyler adds it to his always available Signature Flavor list. Some of his ten Signature Flavors include: Cinnamon Snickerdoodle, Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip, Lemon Blueberry, Mint Chip and Monster Cookie (#1 seller). His current Seasonal Flavors include Pumpkin Scream Cheese, Creepy Crawlers, Twix-Or-Treat and Say Cheez (peanut butter ice cream with Cheez-it crunch and fudge brownies).

Key to Success—Adaptability

402 Creamery weathered the Covid pandemic by providing carry-out pints and rolling out online ordering and delivery via Grub Hub. In addition, they stayed in touch with their customer base using social media. Tyler was very humbled by the support he received from his customers and the community during this period.  “A lot of gift cards were purchased by customers and the community at large.  Lincoln has a generous heart and that kept us going” Tyler said. 

Key to Success—Finding a Financial Provider

Like many small businesses, Tyler needed startup capital to purchase equipment, mixers, and freezers. He turned to Community Development Resources (CDR) (www.cdr-nebraska.org) in Lincoln for an SBA Microloan. CDR was also able to assist Tyler with early start-up advice and counseling. CDR loan officer Jeff Breunig identified a few characteristics about Tyler and his business plan that helped get the loan approved, “Tyler had a good idea and a well-prepared written business plan. The plan included back up cash flow to reduce risk to the lender. His passion and persistence were very evident when he applied.”

Tyler had this to say about the assistance he received from CDR: “I had a dream.  I realized quickly, I needed to surround myself with good advisors to help me be successful.  That includes a good accountant, a good lawyer, and a good banker.  CDR believed in me and gave me the necessary capital to get this dream off the ground. 

The 402 Creamery has grown to two locations in Lincoln, located at 311 N. 8th Street in the Haymarket and 7101 Kentwell Lane in Village Gardens. Pints are also available at the A Street Market at 3308 A Street. The Creamery also has an ice cream truck that provides ice cream treats at special events in the area. You can follow 402 Creamery on Facebook and Instagram, in addition to their website (www.402creamery.com).

Community Development Resources (CDR) is a non-profit 501c (3) organization whose mission is to provide capital, technical assistance, and training opportunities for small business and housing in the state of Nebraska. Community Development Resources lends to start-up and existing businesses that have a viable business plan to create or maintain business. CDR is located at 912 N. 70th Street in the Meadowlane Shopping Center. For more information about CDR and how we “Open Doors for Small Business”, see our website at cdr-nebraska.org or call 402-436-2387.

Jeff Breunig, CDR's Loan Officer, Perk Up Thursday Talk

Watch Jeff Breunig's Perk Up Thursday talk.  Jeff shares the story of CDR and how CDR can assist small businesses in reaching their entrepreneurial dreams through technical assistance (one-on-one training, tuition assistance programs, workshops) and small business financing.  Tune in now HERE! 

Lincoln Community Foundation - Making Lincoln a More Affordable Place to Live

Community collaboration moves the needle on affordable housing efforts.  CDR is expanding its mission and services to include affordable housing.

New Year - New Business? "Planning" is the First Step!

By Wayne Bell, Acting Regional Administrator, U.S. Small Business Administration

 You want to start a business! You are passionate about the product or service you want to sell!  Maybe you even have a hobby with a customer or two already – and this makes you so passionate you want to start right away!

 Passion is good, and often the most successful small business owners express this deep-felt desire to start a business. Sometimes, though, doing some upfront planning can mean the difference between success and failure. So what can you do as a first step to increase your chances of success?

 Many first-time entrepreneurs are surprised to find out the first step recommended to entrepreneurs by the U.S. Small Business Administration on its website.  It is not picking a business name and business structure, calculating start-up costs, writing a business plan or finding financing, although each of those steps have a place.

 The SBA recommends doing research.  And we recommend the two types briefly explained here. 

Market Research

First, SBA recommends conducting market research to see if your idea might have potential customers in the area in which you hope to do business.  This step helps you determine whether the body of your knowledge about your product or service really has strong enough legs to walk your endeavor towards success as you consider the answers to many questions.

 By researching the market, you may find that potential customers aren’t in the area in which you had hoped to start your business.  But you can find out where they are and whether you can devise marketing methods to reach them.

 Competitive Analysis

The second research task involves analyzing the businesses like yours in your market area.  It is called a competitive analysis and is necessary because a potential customer base is not limitless. You may very well believe your product or service can be offered more innovatively, conveniently, less expensively or is just the best…but unless you know who you are up against you don’t really know that for sure.

 Through competitive analysis you can find out who your competition is serving, whether they are serving those customers well and whether there will be a growing demand for your product or service as indicated by business trends.

 “Planning” is something you can do right now.  You can find an in depth explanation of these research types, outside research websites where you can find information and even an online tool which will give you beginning data at www.sba.gov/business-guide  in the “Plan Your Business” section.

U.S. SBA Recognizes CDR as National Small CDC of the year for 2013

Community Development Resources of Lincoln was named a National Small Certified Development Company of the Year for 2013 and selected for an Award of Excellence by the U.S. Small Business Administration.  [Link to Journal Star Article May 31, 2013]  SBA Director Karen G. Mills congratulated Exec. Director Rick Wallace and Community Development Resources on May 6th 2013.