What it is

Capital Impact Partners is a mission-driven lender founded in 1982 as a District of Columbia nonprofit, formed at the direction of Congress to support cooperative development. It was certified as a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) in 2011, adopted its current name in 2014, and in 2022 became part of Momentus Capital, a family of organizations that also includes CDC Small Business Finance and Momentus Securities. It reports passing $3 billion in cumulative lending in 2023.

What it offers founders

  • Lending: mission-driven financing including acquisition and predevelopment, construction, mini-permanent, New Markets Tax Credit, bridge, equipment, term and working capital loans. The core focus is real estate-backed loans of $500,000 and up in sectors such as health care, education, healthy food, affordable housing and cooperatives.
  • Impact investments: non-dilutive capital for for-profit, growth-stage companies that create economic opportunity, expand access to food and health care, or grow employee ownership.
  • Programs: capacity-building and training such as the Co-op Innovation Awards, EDI Developers, and the Housing Accelerator Fellowship.

Nourish DC Collaborative

The most directly relevant program for DC founders is the Nourish DC Collaborative, launched in 2021 with the DC government. It serves start-up and existing food businesses, including grocers, corner stores, restaurants, caterers, urban farms, food processors and delivery services, with preference for businesses in or owned by residents of DC neighborhoods with limited grocery access. It offers loans from $1,000 microloans up to $10 million for real estate-secured loans, with terms of 90 days to 10 years and fees of 1.25% to 3%; personal guarantees are required for most loans. It also provides mentoring, cohort training, consulting and kitchen incubator access through partners such as EatsPlace, LEDC, Wacif and CDC Small Business Finance.

How to engage

For general lending, review the lending process overview and product details, then use the contact form or call 703-647-2300. Food businesses in DC should start with the Nourish DC loan inquiry or technical assistance inquiry forms.

Why it matters in the DMV ecosystem

Capital Impact Partners lends in the Washington, DC metro area and works in Maryland and Virginia. For most early-stage founders its general lending is sized for larger real estate and community facility projects, but Nourish DC gives food entrepreneurs access to flexible debt and technical assistance, and its growth-stage impact investments offer a non-dilutive option for mission-driven companies.