The NoCo Foundation is pleased to offer Impact Investing Loans to support qualifying nonprofits or government equivalents with low interest, short- to intermediate-term loans to address timing issues related to a variety of revenue streams, such as pledge receivables, payment of an approved government or foundation grant or contract, filling a capital campaign gap, etc.

The NoCo Foundation will consider loans that have a high likelihood of returning invested capital and a financial return determined by the Foundation Impact Committee, which will depend upon the degree of financial risk.

The goals of the Impact Investing Loans are to:

  • Support organizations’ missions by offering below market interest rate loans
  • Expand access to debt financing
  • Support new and existing projects in Northern Colorado

Frequently Asked Questions

Contact the NoCo Foundation at (970) 224-3462 or grants@nocofoundation.org with any questions.

  • Both registered nonprofits and government organizations are eligible to apply.
  • Criteria includes:
    • A 3-year operating history as a 501(c)3 public charity or government equivalent.
    • Annual operating budget of at least $500,000.
    • Audited financial statements for the last three years.
    • No prior loan defaults.
    • In good standing with the IRS.
    • Have an identifiable source of stable income or asset base for repaying the NoCo Foundation’s investment.
    • The NoCo Foundation prefers to invest in entities with a prior history of repaying invested capital and/or entities led by a management team with such experience.
    • No more than one outstanding loan from the Foundation at any one time.

Duration: Loans will generally call for payment in full within five years. However, the NoCo Foundation may extend duration on a case-by-case basis.

Amount: Preferred loan amounts are between $50,000 and $350,000, and no borrower can make up more than 10% of the Program’s total allowable pool unless approved by the NoCo Foundation’s Board of Trustees.

Allocation: The NoCo Foundation does not seek to diversify across all asset classes; the allocation is driven by the underlying investment opportunities.

Sources and Uses: It is required that a project has an identifiable and approved/pledged source of funds to complete the project prior to the issuance of a loan.

Loans typically range from $50,000 and $350,000.

  • First, you will be asked to submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) to provide initial information for the NoCo Foundation to assess the viability and fit of the project.
  • If the organization is determined to be a viable candidate for a loan from the NoCo Foundation, its representatives will be invited to submit a full application.
  • The NoCo Foundation will review the application, with consideration of the organization’s strength, community impact, and the organization’s ability to repay the loan.
  • Organizations may have an opportunity to present their project to the NoCo Foundation. These presentations last around 20 minutes and are followed by a Q&A period.
  • The NoCo Foundation will make every attempt to make a final decision within 45 days of receiving the full application. If the loan is not approved within 90 days for any reason, the applicant may be asked to submit updated materials.
  • Applicants will be informed if the application has been approved or denied. If approved, the loan will enter the legal review and document preparation stages.
  • Once loan terms are approved, the NoCo Foundation will prepare all necessary documents, including, but not limited to: Note and Security Agreement, Deed of Trust, Guarantees and Funds will be disbursed upon receipt of all required documents.

Did you know?

The Community Foundation is proud to sustain Northern Colorado Nonprofit Endowment Funds.

Nonprofit organizations establish endowment funds at the Community Foundation to extend their impact far into the future.