Application Notes:

Applications must be received by 11:59 p.m. ET on August 7, 2025.

Applications must be submitted online at www.ecivis.com/grants.gov. Emailed or faxed applications will not be accepted.

Applications must include:

• SF 424
• SF 424A
• SF 424B
• SF LLL
• Project proposal
• Work plan
• Budget and budget justification
• Evidence of legal existence
• List of board of directors and officers
• List of entity principals and their respective terms
• Tax-exempt status documentation
• Audit
• Financial statements
• Other organizational documents (if applicable)
• Additional supporting information

Application file names are limited to 50 characters. Refer to page 3 of the NOFA file for acceptable file formats for document uploads. 

The following are required in order to submit an application:

• Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number
• SAM (System for Award Management) registration

Applicants may obtain a UEI number and verify or renew SAM registration status at www.ecivis.com/sam.

Applications will be evaluated using the following criteria:

• Degree of expertise and experience in making and servicing commercial loans, with a successful record (30 points)
• Percentage of applicant contributions (20 points)
• Extent to which the work plan demonstrates a well-thought-out, comprehensive approach to accomplishing objectives; clearly defines who will be served by the project; clearly articulates the problems/issues to be addressed; identifies the service area to be covered; and appears likely to be sustainable (40 points)
• Extent to which the goals and objectives are clearly defined, tied to the work plan, and measurable (15 points)
• Lowest ratio of projected administrative expenses to loans advanced (10 points)
• Evaluation methods for considering loan applications (20 points)
• Administrator’s discretion (10 points)

Refer to the NOFA and Guide files for additional application information.

Match Notes:

Applicants must provide at least 20 percent of the total project costs. Matching funds may be from the applicant or a third party. Applicants providing matching contributions in excess of the minimum required will be awarded additional points during the application evaluation process.

The program officer stated administrative expenses may be included as part of the match contribution. 

In-kind contributions will not be considered.

Funding Notes:

Approximately $1 million is anticipated to be available to support awards through this program.

Funding will be provided on a reimbursement basis.

The anticipated award date is September 30, 2025.

Project periods will begin on October 1, 2025, and end on September 30, 2026.

Award recipients will receive funds to establish a lending program for eligible entities. The total amount of loan financing to an eligible entity may not exceed $200,000 or 75 percent of project costs, whichever is less, and must be repaid in a term not to exceed ten years. The interest rate will be determined by the award recipient and approved by the funding agency.

The program officer stated funds may not be used for administrative expenses.

Funds may not be used for:

• Application development costs
• Activities which duplicate similar federal efforts or tasks
• Renewal of prior awards

July 15, 2025
The program officer provided clarifying information regarding administrative expenses. The Financial section has been updated accordingly.