Small Business Empowerment Fund CDFI
Small Business Empowerment Fund CDFI is a public charity based in Wildwood, Missouri. Its 2024 filing describes it as a community development financial institution serving underserved markets and populations, primarily in St. Louis City and County, and says it lends to low-income communities at low interest rates.
Key facts about Small Business Empowerment Fund CDFI
In short: Small Business Empowerment Fund CDFI gave $1.1M across 18 grants in 2025 (avg $60K), mostly in Missouri. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- EIN
- 85-3225961
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $1,080,200
- Grants made (2025)
- 18
- Average grant
- $60,011
- Median grant
- $30,000
- Total assets
- $1,279,103
- Primary geography
- Missouri (75% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990 · View filing
Total Assets
$1.3M
+68.3% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.1M
Grant Count
18
Avg Grant Size
$60K
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization’s stated mission is to provide credit and financial services to underserved markets and populations, primarily in St. Louis City and County. Its 2024 filing says its program lends to low-income communities at low interest rates.
Among its 2025 grantees, the Small Business Empowerment Center (SBEC) describes its own mission as assisting small businesses in distressed areas of St. Louis County and St. Louis City. SBEC says it has worked in the Empowerment Zone to help residents and entrepreneurs start and grow businesses in the urban core.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the funder reported 18 grants totaling $1,080,200. Grant amounts ranged from $30,000 to $300,000, with a median of $30,000.
The filing lists two grants of $300,000 to the Small Business Empowerment Center in Saint Louis, Missouri; one is described as a grant for salaries. Other listed awards include $30,200 to Freddie Lee’s Gourmet Souces in Saint Louis, Missouri, and $30,000 each to The GEM Factory LLC, Sherman Park Grocery, Kingsway Development, Polaris Bhm, Under Grace Home Health Agency, HoneyBee Sage Wellness & Apotherapy LLC, AMRI Counseling Services, Bama Health Foods LLC, and The TUF Club Fitness and Wellness Center.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The organization’s stated service focus is underserved markets and populations, primarily in St. Louis City and County. Its 2025 grant dollars went to recipients in Missouri (75%), Wisconsin (8%), Alabama (6%), Maryland (6%), and Georgia (6%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 18 itemized grants.
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
In 2025 it made 18 grants totaling $1.1M.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Small Business Empowerment Center ($600K across 2 grants). Together the top 10 received $870K.
Grant Size Distribution
18 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 16 grants of 18 (89%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Small Business Empowerment Center Saint Louis, MO | Grant for salaries | $300,000 |
| Small Business Empowerment Center Saint Louis, MO | — | $300,000 |
| Freddie Lee's Gourmet Souces Saint Louis, MO | — | $30,200 |
| The GEM Factory LLC Saint Louis, MO | — | $30,000 |
| Sherman Park Grocery Milwaukee, WI | — | $30,000 |
| Kingsway Development Blackjack, MO | — | $30,000 |
| Polaris Bhm Birmingham, AL | — | $30,000 |
| Under Grace Home Health Agency Bridgeton, MO | — | $30,000 |
| HoneyBee Sage Wellness & Apotherapy LLC Milwaukee, WI | — | $30,000 |
| AMRI Counseling Services Milwaukee, WI | — | $30,000 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $1,279,103 | $1,299,835 | $780,790 | $1,080,200 across 18 grants |
| 2024 | $760,058 | $500,731 | $53,298 | 0 grants |
| 2023 | $251,088 | $126,780 | $510 | 0 grants |
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $1,279,103 | $760,058 | $251,088 |
| Revenue | $1,299,835 | $500,731 | $126,780 |
| Expenses | $780,790 | $53,298 | $510 |
| Net Investment Income | $13,913 | $268 | $1,003 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS April 8, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2022–2025
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Alan Richter as Chairman, Reginald Scott as Co Chair, Kevin Wilson as Program Director, and Denise Phillips, Mitchell Washington, Cheryl Walker, John Henderson, Dr Joe Frank, Craig Higgins, and Lorraine McKinney as board members.
Small Business Empowerment Fund CDFI is led by Alan Richter, Chairman on every filing since 2022; none of the 11 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Alan Richter
Chairman
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Reginald Scott
Co Chair
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kevin Wilson
Program Director
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Cheryl Walker
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Craig Higgins
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Denise Phillips
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Joe Frank
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
John Henderson
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lorraine McKinney
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michelle Stuckey
Treasurer
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mitchell Washington
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2022–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Contact
Mailing address: 1808 Sagez Ct, Wildwood, MO 63011
Phone: (314) 241-1697
Frequently asked questions about Small Business Empowerment Fund CDFI
How much does Small Business Empowerment Fund CDFI give each year?
Small Business Empowerment Fund CDFI gave $1.1M across 18 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990.
What is Small Business Empowerment Fund CDFI's typical grant size?
Small Business Empowerment Fund CDFI's median grant in 2025 was $30,000, and its average grant was $60,011, across 18 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does Small Business Empowerment Fund CDFI give grants?
Small Business Empowerment Fund CDFI gives mostly in Missouri: 75% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest states were Wisconsin (8%) and Alabama (6%). The most frequent recipient cities were Saint Louis, MO (4 grants), Milwaukee, WI (3 grants), Birmingham, AL (2 grants) and Kansas City, MO (2 grants).
Who are Small Business Empowerment Fund CDFI's largest grantees?
Small Business Empowerment Fund CDFI's largest 2025 grantees include Small Business Empowerment Center ($600,000 across 2 grants), Freddie Lee's Gourmet Souces ($30,200) and The GEM Factory LLC ($30,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 61% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Small Business Empowerment Fund CDFI?
Small Business Empowerment Fund CDFI reported $1.3M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $1.3M.
What does Small Business Empowerment Fund CDFI fund?
The organization’s stated mission is to provide credit and financial services to underserved markets and populations, primarily in St. Louis City and County. Its 2024 filing says its program lends to low-income communities at low interest rates. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Small Business Empowerment Fund CDFI?
Small Business Empowerment Fund CDFI has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Small Business Empowerment Fund CDFI's EIN?
Small Business Empowerment Fund CDFI's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 85-3225961. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2022–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
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