Exciting news, Arlington County entrepreneurs! Wacif has been awarded $40,000 to expand small business technical assistance and capital deployment in Arlington County, VA. Learn more about how we're ramping up our support for local businesses: https://lnkd.in/e477wDtQ
Washington Area Community Investment Fund, Inc. (Wacif)
Civic and Social Organizations
Washington, DC 5,930 followers
Increasing equity and economic opportunity in the Washington, D.C. area's underserved communities.
About us
Since 1987, the Washington Area Community Investment Fund (Wacif) has driven equity and economic opportunity in underinvested communities throughout the Greater Washington D.C. region by investing knowledge, social, and financial capital in low- and moderate-income (LMI) entrepreneurs. Wacif’s mission is driven by three strategic pillars: inclusive entrepreneurship, community wealth building, and equitable economic development. Since its inception, Wacif has deployed over $100 million in capital, supported over 5,000 disadvantaged entrepreneurs with technical assistance, and helped create or retain 44,000 local jobs. Wacif targets its investments in alignment with its mission: 85% of clientele are minority business owners, over half are women, and 80% are LMI.
- Website
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http://www.wacif.org
External link for Washington Area Community Investment Fund, Inc. (Wacif)
- Industry
- Civic and Social Organizations
- Company size
- 11-50 employees
- Headquarters
- Washington, DC
- Type
- Nonprofit
- Founded
- 1987
- Specialties
- Small Business Loans, Micro-loans, Technical Assistance, Nonprofits, Entrepreneurship, Community Development, Inclusive Entrepreneurship, Community Wealth Building, Asset Building, Equitable Economic Development, Impact Investing, Social Impact, Equity, Small Business Advising, and Capital
Locations
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Primary
Get directions
2012 Rhode Island Ave. NE
Washington, DC 20018, US
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Get directions
1231 Good Hope Rd SE
Washington, District of Columbia 20020, US
Employees at Washington Area Community Investment Fund, Inc. (Wacif)
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Valerie Kindt
Inclusive Finance | Small Business Finance | Fintech for Social Good | Customer Experience
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Rasul Sha'ir, MBA
2X TEDx Producer | TEDx Speaker | Entrepreneur | Innovation Strategist | Ecosystem Architect
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Shauna Yeldell
Chief Lending Officer at Washington Area Community Investment Fund, Inc. (Wacif)
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Eric Alston
Building Relationships with Business Owners
Updates
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Join Us for The Digital Refresh! 📅 October 29th & November 1st, 2024 ⏰ 9 AM – 12:30 PM Level up your digital presence with expert insights and hands-on virtual workshops! This FREE virtual event is perfect for small business owners looking to enhance their websites, e-commerce platforms, and social media strategies. What You'll Learn: - How AI can boost your online visibility - Strategies to improve e-commerce performance - Building AI-powered social media strategies - Increasing engagement with innovative tactics Spots are limited! Register for both sessions today and set your business on the path to success. Day 1: The Digital Refresh- Website Engagement https://lnkd.in/e32rZN_V Day 2: The Digital Refresh-Social Media Strategy https://lnkd.in/egXhC3qg . . . #DigitalRefresh #BusinessGrowth #AI #SocialMediaSuccess #Ecommerce
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#NationalHispanicHeritageMonth is here! Join us in celebrating the culture and impact of the LatinX community- from museum activations to festivals and workshops, check out these free events happening in the Washington D.C. area, now through October 15.
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The Capitol Region Women's Business Center is proud to announce that we’ve been awarded the Verizon Skills Forward grant! This grant allows us to offer complimentary business training to help entrepreneurs and small business owners sharpen their skills in digital marketing, technology, financial literacy, and leadership. Whether you aim to boost your online presence, strengthen cybersecurity, or build a solid financial plan, these courses—offered through EDX—help you thrive. Don’t miss this amazing opportunity to grow your business and reach new heights! Sign up today and start your journey to success! 🔗 https://lnkd.in/eNu9WBkw #FreeTraining #SmallBusinessGrowth #EmpowerEntrepreneurs #VerizonSkillsForward #SignUpNow
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Washington Area Community Investment Fund, Inc. (Wacif) reposted this
Chief Development Officer at Washington Area Community Investment Fund, Inc. (Wacif)
Thank you to BizLaunch, Arlington's Small Business Assistance Network and Tara Palacios for inviting the Wacif Team to participate in Arlington's Small Business Coordinating Council panel discussion on the state of the entrepreneurship ecosystem. We shared about our expanded reach in Northern Virginia, new Capital Region Women's Business Center in partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration, and the innovative entrepreneurship programming delivered through the Anacostia Arts Center. These conversations are vital for fostering a more inclusive and thriving regional small business landscape. Looking forward to continued collaboration and partnership! Jessica G Randolph Eric Alston Kimberly Gayle Esthanette Reid, MS CD Kimberly Newman #SmallBusiness #Entrepreneurship #EconomicDevelopment #CommunityEmpowerment
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We’re kicking off our Talk It Out Tuesdays Podcast series with an amazing first episode featuring Kimberly Gayle, Chief Programs Officer (CPO) at Wacif! Join us on Tuesday, October 1st, 2024, at 12:30 PM as we introduce the Capitol Region Women's Business Center (Powered by Wacif) and explore the incredible resources available to support women-owned businesses across the region. We’ll also be diving into the insights of Kimberly Newman, our Program Director, who brings over 25 years of business development experience. Don’t miss this chance to learn how Wacif empowers entrepreneurs and how YOU can benefit! ✨ 📅 Date: Tuesday, October 1st, 2024 ⏰ Time: 12:30 PM 📍 RSVP:https://lnkd.in/gJAyytMG Stay connected for more updates, and get ready for an incredible conversation! #Wacif #WomensBusinessCenter #TalkItOutTuesdays #WomenInBusiness #Entrepreneurship #SmallBusinessSupport #BusinessGrowth #DMVBiz
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Washington Area Community Investment Fund, Inc. (Wacif) reposted this
Small businesses are the driving force behind vibrant communities and local economies. I was honored to join WTOP News to discuss the challenges small businesses face, particularly those owned by women of color, and to highlight the programs and services Washington Area Community Investment Fund, Inc. (Wacif) is creating to better support them during these critical times. A huge thank you to Jack McDougle for the great discussion and for helping to elevate this important message.
WTOP News Business Reporter Jeff Clabaugh sat down to discuss local trends and small business investment strategies with our President & CEO, Jack McDougle, and Shannan Herbert, CEO of Washington Area Community Investment Fund, Inc. (Wacif). We're committed to helping drive economic development in our region by helping advance small business opportunities. Watch or read our discussion with WTOP here: https://bit.ly/3XL2VAU #smallbusiness #WTOP #WashingtonDC #WACIF #GreaterWashington #smallbusinessnews #NorthernVirginia #economicdevelopment #investmentstrategies #smallbusinessseptember
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Washington Area Community Investment Fund, Inc. (Wacif) reposted this
Do you need financial support launching or growing your small business in the DMV? You can find it locally from the Greater Washington Board of Trade and the Washington Area Community Investment Fund, Inc. (Wacif). Our Business Reporter Jeff Clabaugh talks with BOT CEO Jack McDougle and WACIF CEO Shannan Herbert. Listen to and watch the full discussion now! WTOP’s Small Business September 2024, presented by EagleBank | #SMBs #DMV #smallbusinessloans #entrepreneurs #economicdevelopment
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Washington Area Community Investment Fund, Inc. (Wacif) reposted this
Nonprofit Banking | Government Contracting Banking | Title Advantage | Board Member | Community Banker | Community Connector |
Thanking Tara Palacios, Prakriti Deuja, and BizLaunch, Arlington's Small Business Assistance Network for the invitation to yesterday's SBCC hybrid meeting! Insightful session with Eric Alston and Washington Area Community Investment Fund, Inc. (Wacif) on their work as a Nonprofit CDFI, supporting #smallbusinesses and #entrepreneurs. Representing Sandy Spring Bank, I learned about valuable resources and assistance for small and fast-growing businesses in the DMV area. Grateful to Arlington Economic Development for their support to businesses in Arlington VA and surrounding communities. Alex Held Ethiopian Community Development Council, Inc. #networking #businessdevelopment #economicdevelopment #innovation #management #technology
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Washington Area Community Investment Fund, Inc. (Wacif) reposted this
🌟 Don’t miss out on the chance to elevate your business! Join us for NVBCC's 3rd Annual Economic Forum on September 26th and unlock new opportunities for growth and connection. Network with industry leaders and gain valuable insights! Representatives from Washington Area Community Investment Fund, Inc. (Wacif), Fairfax County Economic Development Authority, Prince William County, Alexandria Economic Development Partnership, Arlington Economic Development, & Loudoun County Economic Development will be speaking at this event 🚀 Register now: https://lnkd.in/eNha5WZH #NVBCC #EconomicForum #Networking #BusinessGrowth #OpportunityKnocks
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