Small Business Leader Award

Overview

Held annually from 2014-2016, the Small Business Leader Award for Mission-Driven Lenders (SBLA) recognized innovation and growth in mission, impact, and financial sustainability among mission-driven small business lenders. Supported by Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses, Surdna Foundation, and OFN, the purpose of the national award was to reward excellence, build broad-based recognition, and create momentum among CDFIs and other mission-driven lenders.

Each winner was honored at the annual OFN Conference and received grant funding up to $75,000.

Awardees

The following organizations received Small Business Leader Awards.

2016

  • Accion, serving Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, and Texas
  • Carolina Small Business Development Fund
  • Community Reinvestment Fund, USA
  • Montana & Idaho CDC

2015

  • Metropolitan Economic Development Association (Meda)
  • Pathway Lending (finalist)
  • PIDC Community Capital (finalist)

2014

  • New York Business Development Corporation
  • Opportunity Fund (runner-up)
  • Business & Community Lenders of Texas (finalist)
  • Bridgeway Capital (finalist)

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