Your Forte, Our Finance

Leveling the playing field by creating opportunities today for tomorrow’s Black Entrepreneurs.

Greenwood Archer Capital (GAC) and the What’s Your Forte Foundation (WYFF) have joined forces to create the Your Forte, Our Finance program.  The program aims to, invest, grow, and rebuild the underserved communities in the south and west sides of Chicago.

The program’s mission extends beyond providing micro-financing benefits to primarily African American-owned small businesses, the program empowers entrepreneurs to support economic development within their community, in turn leading the way for a stronger infrastructure. Investing in disinvested and underinvested communities provides long-term effects that span beyond the support of our program.  Compounded over time, these investments can lead to access to better schools, healthier food, and higher standards of living.

Collectively, we believe that our communities deserve these opportunities, and through this program, we will work until equality is realized in these, and all other areas.


ONE GOAL, ONE PROMISE: REBUILD

GAC offers an array of services that help with financial planning, business-to-business contact, and planning for growth. Collectively, with Matt Forte and the What’s Your Forte Foundation, we pledge to provide $3 million in lending capital as well as educational resources to help businesses grow and thrive.

 
 

The Your Forte, Our Finance program allows African American businesses to utilize funds to:

  • Established greater cash reserves

  • Develop and grow their workforce for

  • Secure business real estate and own assets in their communities

  • Access systems and technology to enhance operations

  • Increase marketing and promotions

  • Procure corporate contract opportunities

 

Your Forte, Our Finance Loan Products:

Commercial Real Estate Loan:

Due to historical disinvestment, from the toppling of systems placed during the reconstruction era, to the failed promises of reparations, to historical redlining, black communities have been attacked through the blocking of acquisition of real estate assets, one of the most important assets of creating generational wealth.

Your Forte, Our Finance wants to help solve this problem and level the playing field through a new commercial real estate loan that will help Black-owned businesses purchase commercial real estate that their business will occupy.


Loan Terms:

  • Amount: Up to $200,000, 100% financing         

  • Term:  Up to 60 months                           

  • Amortization:  Up to 120 months

  • Interest Rate: 3% during the initial 5 Year period

Eligibility:

  • Business must be black-owned.

  • Must demonstrate the ability to repay loan per GAC’s underwriting guidelines.

  • The commercial portion of the building must be owner-occupied.

  • Must be currently purchasing real estate for business use. Mixed used buildings are allowed if commercial space is occupied by the business borrowing funds. Loan proceeds are not to be used for residential real estate ventures.

  • Can be leveraged with other city/state grant business improvement grants (NOF, SBIF, SSA, etc)

  • The borrower must participate in technical assistance offered under the program

  • Must meet all other GAC underwriting guidelines.

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In addition, small businesses that are approved for this loan may be eligible to receive a grant up to 10% of the loan amount. This grant can be used to support business operations, improvements, signage, property taxes, cash reserves or other uses necessary to secure the real estate.

Questions? Email loans@greenwoodarchercapital.org.

INTERESTED IN PARTNERING WITH US ON THIS INITIATIVE?

Email Natosha Johnson, Development and Communications Director, at njohnson@greenwoodarchercapital.org.

WANT TO INVEST IN THIS INITIATIVE BY MAKING A DONATION? 

Send funds to: https://paypal.me/gacfundingequity