REAL People's Fund Entrepreneurship Loan Program
Funding Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Grant Type
foundation
Overview
REAL People's Fund Entrepreneurship Loan Program
Funder: REAL People's Fund (Revolutionary Economy for All Local People)
Website: realpeoplesfund.org
Geographic Scope: Alameda County and Contra Costa County, California (East Bay)
Program Overview
A community-controlled capital fund and entrepreneurship program providing non-extractive loans, holistic business support, and political powerbuilding for BIPOC entrepreneurs and small businesses. The fund is targeting a $10 million raise and has currently raised 95%+ of this goal.- Flexible, low-cost capital based on mission alignment and character-based underwriting
- No credit score requirement (past credit issues permissible if current on payments)
- No collateral or personal guarantees required
- No background checks or citizenship screening
Funding Structure
- Pre-capital business advising and training (at no cost) through Uptima Entrepreneur Cooperative
- Ongoing post-capital business advising
- Political education and community organizing engagement
- Participation in vibrant entrepreneur community
Support Services Included
- Black, Indigenous, Spanish-speaking/Latine entrepreneurs
- Asian/AAPI entrepreneurs
- Low-income entrepreneurs
- Immigrant and undocumented entrepreneurs
- Formerly-incarcerated entrepreneurs
- Working-class communities of color
Target Population
BIPOC entrepreneurs including:- BIPOC entrepreneur, at least 18 years old
- Currently residing in and/or business located in Alameda or Contra Costa County
- Mission-aligned: business demonstrates positive social, environmental, or economic impact
- Growing small business or cooperative with employment potential
- For-profit business generating consistent sales/revenue
- Receptive to advisors, outside advice, and community participation
- Excited about full social entrepreneurship program participation (pre/post advising, training, political engagement)
Eligibility Criteria - MUST MEET:
- No minimum credit score (but must disclose all debt and be current on payments)
- Not currently in foreclosure, bankruptcy, or under liens
- No collateral or personal guarantees
- No background checks or incarceration history screening
- No citizenship status requirement
Eligibility Criteria - WHAT'S NOT REQUIRED:
- Businesses that touch cannabis flower (auxiliary cannabis services may be funded)
- Profit share equity program currently paused
What They Don't Fund
- Loan Administration: Community Vision and RUNWAY
- Business Advising: Uptima Entrepreneur Cooperative
- Governance: Democratically governed by grassroots organizations across economic empowerment, climate justice, racial justice, worker rights, civic engagement, housing justice, and healing justice
Program Partners
- Contact Form: Available at realpeoplesfund.org/contact
Key Contact
How to Apply
How to Apply
The application process follows these five steps:
1. SUBMIT - Complete Entrepreneur Interest Form
- Fill out the Entrepreneur Interest Form on the website
- Download one-pager for reference materials
2. CONNECT - Initial Consultation Call
- REAL People's Fund team schedules a call
- Purpose: Get to know you and your business better
- Team reviews mission-alignment and capital-readiness for your business
3. LEARN - Pre-Capital Advising & Training (No Cost)
- Participate in business advising or training through partner Uptima Entrepreneur Cooperative
- Work with your advisor to develop robust business and funding plan
- Develop clear financial projections
- When ready, your advisor recommends you for capital program
4. APPLY - Formal Application & Credit Committee Presentation
- Submit formal application materials
- Present to credit committee made up of:
- Business advisors
- Local business leaders
- Community members prepared to support growth
- Approval decision following presentation
- Upon approval, receive funding
5. ONGOING SUPPORT - Post-Capital Engagement
- Participate in ongoing business advising
- Engage in local organizing
- Become part of vibrant entrepreneur community
- Business background and mission information
- Business and funding plan
- Financial projections
- Current financial statements/sales revenue records
- Documentation of all existing debt (if any) and proof of current payment status
Required Materials
Based on application process, applicants should prepare:- No cost for pre-capital advising and training
- Character-based underwriting approach (not traditional credit-score based)
- Emphasis on relationship and trust throughout process
- All existing debt must be disclosed; applicant must be current on all payments
Application Notes
Focus Areas & Funding Uses
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