Creative Business Loan Fund

Funding for Creative Small Businesses and Creative Entrepreneurs Creative Business Loan Fund Supporting affordable, flexible financing to small, creative businesses across the Commonwealth. Inspiration for creation of this fund stemmed from the awareness of a growing need for financial support for creative small businesses, which are important drivers of employment and economic vibrancy. Contact Us Apply for a Loan Program Overview Launched in 2020, the Creative Business Loan Fund (CBLF) provides affordable, flexible financing to creative small businesses across the Commonwealth. The fund focuses on creative businesses located in underserved communities including those located in small towns and rural communities. Eligible loan uses include working capital; equipment purchases; renovations to retail, production, or office space; and, in limited cases, building acquisitions. Loan amounts vary, ranging from a few thousand dollars to $250,000. Apply for a Loan Loan Fund Statistics (As of November 2025) Average Loan Amount = $169,000Total of Loans Closed = $8.4M25% of loans used for real estate acquisitionBreakdown of loan uses:Real Estate = 13Working Capital = 24Equipment = 6Property Renovation and Building Inventory = 4Marketing = 3Access to Markets = 1 Eligible Uses Eligible uses for Creative Business Loans include: Working capitalEquipment purchasesRenovations to retailProduction or office spaceBuilding acquisitions (in limited cases) What is a creative business? Under the program's definition, creative businesses include craft manufacturers, arts schools, architecture, design and fabrication firms, media companies, and visual and performing arts production agencies. Loan Fund Management The fund is managed by Bridgeway Capital and Rising Tide Community Loan Fund, each holding a defined percentatge of responsibility for deploying available loan capital and providing small business technical assistance in their respective regions.