Our History

fclf-logo-1994 The Florida Community Loan Fund (FCLF) was founded in 1994 to provide a statewide source of flexible financing for delivering capital to low-income communities to support community development projects by non-profit organizations throughout the state. Today it has made over 160 loans for a total of $100 million to over 70 organizations to improve social and economic conditions in communities all across Florida.

FCLF's first support came from the Campaign for Human Development, which provided a grant to facilitate planning and outreach to civic activists, bankers, religious leaders, housing and community development experts. Led by Sister Mary Heyser of the Sacred Heart of Mary, agreement was reached to form a board of directors and embark on efforts to capitalize "the Loan Fund." This Florida-based board of directors, then and today, is made up of one-third borrowers, one-third investors, and one-third technical experts. Today, FCLF staff and board is a well-established team of highly experienced community leaders and industry professionals, and our core management team has been in place for nearly a decade.

Initial investments in FCLF first came from the pennies of the pension funds of religious orders of nuns and brothers. Today FCLF's investors and supporters include nearly all leading financial institutions, major foundations including the Jessie Ball duPont Fund and The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, interdenominational religious support including the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America and the Union for Reform Judaism, as well as state and federal governments.

fclf-logo-1996

Under the wisdom and leadership of its founders, FCLF became Florida's first certified statewide Community Development Financial Institution in 1996. Today FCLF is a multifaceted financing entity providing capital in various forms to improve conditions in urban and rural communities throughout the Sunshine state. Throughout its history, a strong social conscience, a commitment to excellence, statewide partnerships and collaborations, accountability to its stakeholders, and a clear focus on performance have enabled FCLF to thrive.
fclf-logo-2004

FCLF became certified as a Community Development Entity (CDE) by the U.S. Department of Treasury in 2004. Since then we have secured the largest cumulative amount of federal funding of any Florida-based CDFI entity through the U.S. Department of Treasury's CDFI Fund and New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) Program. The NMTC Program continues to have a high impact on economic development and jobs creation.
fclf-logo-2009

In 2009, FCLF received its current CARS(TM) rating of 2AA-Policy Plus. This rating and certification system evaluates both financial and social impact performance to enhance investor confidence. In 2005, FCLF had been one of the first CDFIs to be rated by the Opportunity Finance Network, a national network of CDFIs, using industry standards and accountability measured by an independent third party. This 2009 rating of 2AA-Policy Plus confirmed FCLF's sound financial performance and social impact through mission-based programs and activities. In 2009 FCLF also received its first major support from the State of Florida to help preserve affordable multi-family housing.
FCLF logo 2012

FCLF continues to grow and evolve based on its strong social conscience, a commitment to excellence, state-wide partnerships and collaborations, accountability to its stakeholders, and a clear focus on performance. Today we are a multifaceted financing entity with responsibility for over $125 million in total assets, managing three distinct programs: a Community Development Fund, a Florida Preservation Fund and a New Markets Tax Credit Program. We also offer discounted loan rates for Green building and environmentally sustainable projects.

These programs are providing capital for community development and revitalization in both urban and rural communities throughout the Sunshine State, and our statewide footprint has given us the flexibility to direct lending to specific geographic areas as well as for specific purposes, as the needs and opportunities arise. Through all of these programs we consistently also work to match the needs of investors to the needs of the various communities in which we lend.

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