WASHINGTON, April 4, 2023 – The National Community Reinvestment Coalition Community Development Fund  (NCRC CDF), a non-profit Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), announced today registration is open for its Summer Launch and Growth Academies.. Launch Academies are business support services programs that teach aspiring business owners the foundational steps of launching a successful business. Growth Academies are programs geared toward seasoned business owners who want to learn how to scale and grow their business. There are a maximum of 10 openings available for each program.

“In addition to the many hard skills participants in NCRC CDF Launch and Growth Academies learn during the program, they also gain confidence as potential or current entrepreneurs and gain valuable insights from other Academy participants,” said Marisa Calderon, executive director of NCRC CDF. “The Academies are designed and taught by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs, and we are excited to offer these curricula in addition to the other services we offer underserved businesses and communities.”

For both Academies, participants go through an eCourse and meet with an instructor via Zoom for two hours of classroom time each week. The time is used to brainstorm ideas, receive feedback, gain insights from guest experts and connect with fellow course participants.  Specifics for each Academy include:

The Summer Launch Academy program, beginning May 1, 2023, guides entrepreneurs through the 17 foundational steps of launching a business. The course concludes with the creation of a one-page business plan and polished elevator pitch to market the participant’s business concept.

NCRC CDF designed Launch Academies with small business owners in mind who are early in their entrepreneur journey or are in the start-up phase of business. Classes will take place every Monday between May 1 and June 26, 2023 at 8:00 a.m. PT / 11:00 a.m. ET. Use the code ‘NCDF-‘ACADEMIES’ at registration for a 90% discount.

“The course gives you all the steps to have a thought-out process all the way through so it’s not just some business…but leads to success and helps you eliminate mistakes,” said a previous Launch Academy participant. Other past participants agreed with this sentiment.

The Summer Growth Academy, beginning May 5, 2023, guides established small business owners through the steps needed to scale their business and gain access to capital. The program covers all possible fundraising options from debt to equity and crowdfunding. Guest experts will be invited for Q&A sessions throughout the program.

The program will conclude with the creation and presentation of a pitch to an investor, bank, or strategic growth partner. Classes will take place every Friday between May 5, 2023 and June 30, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. ET. Use the code ‘CDF-ACADEMIES’ at registration for a 90% discount.

“I’ve been in business a while, but this course reinvigorated me … I would definitely recommend anyone even considering this course to go through it,” commented one previous Growth Academy participant. See what other past participants had to say.

For more information, please visit here or contact [email protected].

Upcoming NCRC CDF News

In addition to the May Launch and Growth Academies, NCRC CDF will participate at the following upcoming events in April:

• NCRC CDF will exhibit at the Greater Washington (D.C.) Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Business Expo on April 24, to be held at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, 801 Mt. Vernon Place, NW,  Expo Floor Ballroom A, B, & C.  To register for the event, please visit here.
• NCRC CDF Executive Director Marisa Calderon will present on a CDFI panel at the American Bar Association (ABA) Business Law Section’s Community Economic Development Committee on April 27. The panel is titled “Community Development Financial Institutions: Essentials, Developments and Engagement Opportunities”
• NCRC CDF Counsel and Head of Regulatory and Compliance Natasha Sim will speak at the same ABA event on April 29. Her panel is titled: “Collections Oversight in an Evolving Compliance Landscape.”

To register or learn more about both ABA panels, please visit here<.

About NCRC Community Development Fund

The NCRC Community Development Fund, Inc. (NCRC CDF) is a U.S. Treasury-certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) that works to increase access to homeownership and support small businesses in underserved populations. NCRC CDF provides loan capital that expands access to affordable homeownership for people with low-to-moderate incomes and provides loan capital and technical assistance to help Black-, Brown- and woman-owned businesses thrive. NCRC CDF is a subsidiary of the National Community Reinvestment Coalition (NCRC), a non-profit comprised of more than 600 community-based member organizations nationwide that promote access to basic banking services, affordable housing, entrepreneurship, and job creation.

For more information, please visit https://www.communitydevelopmentfund.org/.

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Contact

Victoria Guimarin or Valeria Carrillo

UPRAISE Marketing + Public Relations for NCRC CDF

[email protected]