After a competitive process, RIC selected Rural Community Assistance Corporation (RCAC) as the intermediary. As a regional Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), RCAC can engage with mission-related investors and has a long history of successful loans in rural and Native communities. RCAC invests concessionary-rate capital committed by RIC members, and provides fund management, reporting, documentation, disbursement and accounting services.

A Native-led local investment partner is essential for building relationships with Tribal leaders and entrepreneurs, and for identifying viable projects that are likely to succeed in their communities. These partners identify and nurture investment opportunities and ensure deal flow for RIC. By sourcing and participating in the loans, the local partner also builds their capacity to attract and lend capital. The founding local investment partner is Native Community Capital, a Native CDFI.

Intermediary

Rural Community Assistance Corporation

Founded in 1978, RCAC provides training, technical and financial resources and advocacy so rural communities can achieve their goals. Since 1978, our dedicated staff and active board, have helped effect positive change in rural communities across the West. RCAC’s key values are: leadership, collaboration, commitment, quality and integrity. RCAC’s work includes environmental infrastructure (water, wastewater and solid waste facilities); affordable housing development; economic and leadership development; and community development finance. These services are available to communities with populations of fewer than 50,000, other nonprofit groups, Tribal organizations, farmworkers, colonias and other specific populations. Headquartered in West Sacramento, California, RCAC’s employees serve rural communities in 13 western states and the Pacific islands.

RCAC’s Loan Fund is a financial resource for rural communities. The Loan Fund fills financing gaps and serves in areas that conventional markets traditionally neglect. RCAC offers loans for affordable housing development, environmental infrastructure, community facilities and small businesses in rural locations. RCAC is a certified CDFI, with an Aeris rating of 4 Stars AA plus Policy Plus.

Local Investment Partner

Native Community Capital (NCC)

NCC partners with Tribes and Native entrepreneurs to access private and public sector capital.  NCC offers a bridge between historically underutilized capital resources and Tribal projects and businesses in Indian Country. NCC is an approved lender through the Bureau of Indian Affairs Loan Guarantee and Loan Insurance programs. NCC makes loans to Tribes, developers, and individual Tribal Members to stimulate and accelerate economic, community, and small business development that benefits Indian Country. In addition to direct lending, NCC leverages strategic partnerships that link Tribes to several large-scale capital resources through our technical assistance and brokering services.