Fiscal Year 2026 Small Dollar Loan Program
Grants fund Certified CDFIs to establish or expand small-dollar loan programs that offer affordable alternatives to high-cost loans for unbanked and underbanked populations.
⚑ Eligible applicants are limited to Certified Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs); public universities are not direct applicants unless they are a Certified CDFI. · Funds support loan program establishment/expansion and related borrower access activities, not research. · Award ceiling: $500,000.
Unit fits — one characterization, each unit's own rules
| IPPRA | 15 none | university cannot apply directly (ineligible) |
| Physical Sciences & Engineering (demo) | 15 none | university cannot apply directly (ineligible) |
| Tom Love Innovation Hub | 5 none | no commercialization signal |
Description
Through the Small Dollar Loan Program (SDL Program), the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI Fund) awards grants to Certified CDFIs to establish and expand small dollar loan programs and provide alternatives to high-cost small dollar loans. Certified CDFIs will use award funds to help unbanked and underbanked populations build credit, access affordable capital, and allow greater access into the mainstream financial system.
Eligibility
Applicants must be Certified Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs).
Apply
View on Grants.gov → CONTACT: Henny Winarsoo Grantor <sdlp@cdfi.treas.gov>
Proposal brief SEE AN EXAMPLE →
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Proposal shell · Federal (generic) conventions SEE A FEDERAL EXAMPLE →
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