Community First Fund

In our efforts to help keep our staff, clients, and communities healthy and safe, we are continuing to keep all Community First Fund and FINANTA offices closed to in-person visitors who do not have an appointment scheduled for the foreseeable future. Our business operations will continue as usual during our normal work week hours and the majority of our staff remain working remotely. If you need to schedule an appointment with one of our team members, we encourage you call our main office numbers or your personal lender to try and schedule a virtual appointment before attempting to meet in-person. All visitors and staff are screened upon their arrival to our offices. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we continue navigating the ongoing pandemic!

Attention Philadelphia Business Owners! Grants of up to $10,000 are available for business in Philadelphia through the Comcast RISE Investment Fund. This fund provides monetary grants to help Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC)-owned small businesses grow as they navigate the challenges of the pandemic. The deadline to apply is Sunday, March 14, so click here to learn more or start an application: https://okt.to/wLWxCt... Becas de hasta $10,000 para negocios en Filadelfia. El fondo de reinversion de Comcast RISE, esta ofreciendo becas a negocios, propiedad de personas afroamericanas, nativamericanas y personas inmigrantes a atravezar en estos tiempos de pandemia. Fecha limited para aplicar Marzo 14. Llene la aplicacion en el link aqui: https://okt.to/L8g2wZ

Community First Fund is proud to be a partner of the Pennsylvania Fresh Food Financing Initiative (PA FFFI), a statewide public-private financing program that invests in new or expanding grocery stores and other healthy food retail outlets. The PA FFFI, which is overseen by the PA Department of Agriculture and administered by The Food Trust, is providing one-time grants of up to $50,000 to food retailers to increase access to healthy and affordable foods for underserved communities. Grants are now available for eligible projects. Click this link to learn more or apply today: https://okt.to/eq9olv

As #BlackHistoryMonth comes to a close, we are highlighting one more of our Black-owned business making an impact in their communities and the lives of others. Champ Hall has been cutting hair since 1982 when he earned his barber license and opened his first barber shop in Lancaster City. After opening and managing several other shops, he started Champ's Barber School in 2003 with help from Community First. Champ has helped many students become professional barbers and open ...their own shops across the country ever since. Learn more about our long history with Champ on our website: https://okt.to/NHpEK5 Even though #BlackHistoryMonth is nearly over, we encourage everyone to continue celebrating Black businesses and nonprofits all year-round. Community First Fund is proud to support Black businesses and nonprofits across central and eastern PA!

Our President and CEO Daniel Betancourt and Reading Councilwoman and client Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz were LIVE discussing the state of small businesses in PA with First Lady Frances Wolfe. Part of the First Lady's One Lens PA series, Dan and Johanny discussed the impact of COVID and the innovative ways small businesses have overcome the pandemic with other economic development professionals and small business owners. You can check out the full discussion recording below!

Our President and CEO Daniel Betancourt and Reading Councilwoman and client Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz are LIVE discussing the state of small businesses in PA with First Lady Frances Wolfe and others. Check it out!

Our President & CEO Daniel Betancourt and long-time client and Reading Councilwoman Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz are participating in a discussion with First Lady Frances Wolf and other members of Pennsylvania's small business community. During "The Bigger Picture: The Resiliency of Small Businesses", The group will be discuss their experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic, support available for small businesses, and much more. The discussion will be held on Facebook Live, so register today at the event page to make sure you don't miss it!