Harris County Opportunity Fund Grant

Funder: Harris County Department of Economic Equity and Opportunity (DEEO)

The Harris County Opportunity Fund (HCOF) is a 5-year pilot program developed in partnership with PeopleFund to provide low-interest loans ranging from $5,000 to $250,000 for small businesses in Harris County. This initiative aims to enhance access to capital for minority and women-owned enterprises (M/WBEs), ensuring equitable underwriting processes. Additionally, applicants will receive free technical assistance to support their business growth and sustainability, aligning with the county's commitment to fostering small business development.

Harris County has partnered with PeopleFund to establish a revolving loan fund program, Harris County Opportunity Fund (HCOF), a 5-year pilot lending program to provide low-interest capital for small businesses. The loans distributed by the Fund will fill an existing gap for small business owners seeking capital for their businesses. The overall goal is to improve small businesses’ sustainability and access to capital, thus aligning with Harris County’s Small Business Priority Outcome to “support the formation, survival, and growth of small and micro businesses.”   Under this program, Harris County Opportunity Fund and PeopleFund will provide loans ranging from $5,000 to $250,000 for eligible small businesses through an equitable underwriting process, ensuring minority and/or women-owned enterprises (M/WBEs) improve their access to capital. Additionally, PeopleFund will provide all applicants with access to free technical assistance.
Loan Details
Loan amounts between $5,000-$250,000. Larger amounts may be available through PeopleFund special programs.
Eligible borrowers will benefit from a 2% interest rate reduction and no closing fees (except those required by third parties) for all PeopleFund loan products.

Eligibility

Business Eligibility RequirementsLocated in Harris County
In good standing with local, state, and federal governments with no outstanding tax obligations or liabilities
Not currently in bankruptcy
Negatively impacted due to COVID-19 and/or be unable to secure adequate capital and/or terms in the private market
Meet other underwriting and eligibility criteria used by PeopleFund in our normal course of business
Business not engaged in any of the following industries: gambling, exclusive online (virtual) businesses, consumer and marketing cooperatives, real estate investment firms, speculation-based businesses, rare coin and stamp dealers, government agencies, government-owned agencies, lending firms, loan packaging firms, multi-sales distribution, pyramid schemes, multi-level marketing schemes, illegal firms.
Funding cannot be used to pay off tax liabilities/liens or judgments.
Funding cannot be used to build or reconstruct/remodel residential buildings (unless such reconstruction is intended to convert the building into a business operation).
Other requirements according to Harris County and PeopleFund program eligibility criteria.