The Center for Nonprofit Advancement is proud of our nearly 1,000 member nonprofits and their contributions to the nonprofit sector and our communities. In our “Showing Love” blog series, we’re excited to promote the amazing work that our members do for their communities. From the staff at the Center, thank you for all of your tireless hours and diligence. 

Q & A with The Washington Area Community Investment Fund

Describe your organization.

The Washington Area Community Investment Fund, Inc. (WACIF) is a nonprofit community development loan fund whose mission is to empower underserved communities and individuals in the Washington, DC metropolitan area by providing access to capital and technical assistance to small businesses, childcare centers, affordable housing developers, and community organizations.

Who do you serve? 

WACIF serves the low-moderate income communities of the DC metropolitan area who own or hope to start a small business, live in affordable housing or expand a child care center or community organization. Potential and current small business owners and child care centers are able to receive specialized one-on-one technical assistance to build the capacity of their organizations as well as low-cost financing. In WACIF’s affordable housing work we seek to improve and increase the number of affordable units available for DC residents by financing projects to bring them to fruition.

What contribution have you made this year to the community?

Like most nonprofit service providers, WACIF saw its client load increase substantially since the nations recession began. In 2011 WACIF served over 350 small business owners through one-on-one counseling sessions as well as over 50 seminars and workshops to build the capacity of our small business community.

In the current economic state WACIF’s services and others providing similar support are an essential part of keeping many small businesses going, and ensuring that affordable housing continues to be built. In addition to the $4.2 million in capital WACIF manages (which includes the District of Columbia Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD) Certified Business Enterprise Revolving Microloan Fund and a U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Loan Fund), WACIF also administers the $3,023,000 DSLBD Streetscape Relief Fund.

How have you seen the community benefit from your services?  Have there been any changes in the community due to your work?

In the last 5 years, WACIF has helped over 1,700 small businesses, creating more than 1,600 full- or part-time jobs and over $47.7 million in access to capital. Since our founding in 1987, WACIF has funded 259 loans totaling $16.8 million, leveraging $149.8 million in resources, resulting in the development/preservation of more than 1,500 affordable housing units, and 44 community-based facilities.

Does your organization have any upcoming events?  

In 2012 WACIF is proud to be celebrating its 25th anniversary! In addition to our ongoing seminars and workshops for area small businesses which is available on our website at www.wacif.org, and our quarterly happy hours that bring together WACIF clients, board, staff, partners and supporters we will be celebrating a quarter century of work with our annual wine tasting and silent auction this Fall. Be sure to keep an eye out for our Save the Date!

How has the Center been able to help you?

Being a Center member has helped WACIF’s staff expand the skills they already have and acquire new ones to help us better serve our clients and fulfill our mission. Whether it is a workshop on fundraising, nonprofit financial management or project management, WACIF has always had great takeaways from classes provided. Another reason WACIF is happy to be a member of the Center for Nonprofit Advancement is the ability to meet, network and learn from other Center members. By providing opportunities in trainings or platforms such as the Public Private Partnership Conference, Center members are able to share with and learn from one another, time and time again.

Have you taken any courses at the Center?  Would you recommend any to other members and non-members?

Along with the many workshops the Center provides to members, WACIF staff have participated in other programs such as Project LEAP; an excellent program geared towards building the skills of the next generation of nonprofit leaders. We would highly recommend this series for those that have been in the nonprofit sector for a number of years and want to develop their leadership skills in a comfortable and supportive environment of their peers.