REAL People's Fund Entrepreneurship Loan Program

Funder: REAL People's Fund (Revolutionary Economy for All Local People)
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.

Funding Structure

• 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

Support Services Included

• 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

Target Population

BIPOC entrepreneurs including:

• Black, Indigenous, Spanish-speaking/Latine entrepreneurs
• Asian/AAPI entrepreneurs
• Low-income entrepreneurs
• Immigrant and undocumented entrepreneurs
• Formerly-incarcerated entrepreneurs
• Working-class communities of color

Eligibility Criteria - MUST MEET:

• 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 - WHAT'S NOT REQUIRED:

• 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

What They Don't Fund

• Businesses that touch cannabis flower (auxiliary cannabis services may be funded)
• Profit share equity program currently paused

Program Partners

• 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

Key Contact

• Contact Form: Available at realpeoplesfund.org/contact

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

Required Materials

Based on application process, applicants should prepare:

• 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

Application Notes

• 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