<< All Partners

United States > Opportunity Fund

As California’s largest not-for-profit microlender, Opportunity Fund offers a unique blend of microfinance products, business advising, financial education, and community investment to help low-income families work toward economic stability. Since 1995, Opportunity Fund has provided $10 million in capital to more than 700 low-income entrepreneurs, and offered thousands of hours of business advising to over 2,200 clients. Three-quarters of our borrowers are minorities, and 60% are women.

Microlending in the U.S.

For many U.S. workers, a job is not enough to provide economic self-sufficiency. For some, wage employment isn’t even a realistic option because of language barriers or family circumstances. Many of these enterprising individuals start small businesses to generate income and support their families – home daycare centers, hair salons, janitorial services, small retail stores, and more. These entrepreneurs often need small amounts of capital to start or expand their businesses, but can’t qualify for a bank loan. Opportunity Fund looks beyond the numbers on our clients' credit reports and loan applications; we see their potential as successful entrepreneurs and supply the financing and advising they need to get there. Find out more about how Opportunity Fund helps microentrepreneurs.

Our Results

As part of Opportunity Fund’s commitment to measurement and accountability, we track a variety of community impact metrics through data analysis and client surveys.

• 90% historical repayment rate
• 85% of our clients are still in business 1-2 years after loan
• 95% of surveyed clients reported an increased ability to manage their business
• 70% of surveyed clients report an increase in business revenues and 65% report an increase in household income
• Borrowers create or sustain an average of 2+ jobs.

Our Products and Services

We support low-income entrepreneurs by meeting their small capital needs and providing one-on-one advising.

• Loans from $1,000 to 10,000+ (median loan size is $5,000)
• Fixed Interest Rates: Prime + 3-5%
• One-on-one business coaching on marketing and sales, bookkeeping and cash flow, personal credit and money management, planning for business growth, and more

Get Involved with Microfinance in California

• Join Opportunity Funders, a membership group of people who want to engage with microfinance in the San Francisco Bay Area though events and strategic volunteer opportunities.
• Meet more of Opportunity Fund’s clients through stories and videos
• Shop at businesses owned by Opportunity Fund's clients
• Keep in touch with Opportunity Fund by signing up for our newsletter

Need a Small Business Loan?

Find out if Opportunity Fund can help you start or grow your business. Visit our website for more information.

What Else Does Opportunity Fund Do?

Opportunity Fund provides more than microloans in the Bay Area. We are the nation’s largest provider of matched savings accounts, or IDAs, helping over 2,500 families save for education, small business, home ownership, citizenship and retirement. We also are a community real estate lender, providing loans for affordable housing and community facilities throughout California. Learn more about our other programs at www.opportunityfund.org