Circus Bella Ensemble: Photo Eliam Weinstock
45 Years and Counting. An Invitation to Philanthropy.
For 45 years, the Arts Loan Fund (ALF) has supported the sustainability and growth of nonprofit art and cultural organizations in Northern California. The ALF fills gaps for arts organizations struggling to access capital. In honor of the ALF’s 45 years, we’re fundraising to strengthen the fund and increase the corpus available to lend to arts and culture organizations. We invite philanthropy to join other foundations supporting the Arts Loan Fund corpus and investing in arts and culture organizations across Northern California.
About the Arts Loan Fund
The Arts Loan Fund (ALF), managed by Northern California Grantmakers, has loaned over $36 million overn the past 45 years as a way to boost the sustainability and growth of non-profit art and cultural organizations.
While businesses and larger nonprofits are able to rely on commercial banking for cash-flow needs, small to mid-sized arts organizations have a harder time accessing capital. The Arts Loan Fund was created by funders to meet this need and alleviate short-term cash-flow crunches.
Loans can be a practical financial tool that when used properly, signal proactive financial planning. Funders recognize this and know that cash-flow often lags while incoming grants are pending and that performances often require upfront capital to produce.
To learn more about the criteria to apply, visit our eligibility page. Have questions about where to start? Contact Margaret Southerland at margaret at padmaconsulting.com or 415-567-5494.
APPLICATIONS STEPS
Determine eligibility and identify loan product.
Submit application.
Steering Committee votes on application.
You are contacted by NCG staff within 48 hours with a decision.
If the loan is approved, sign the promissory note and receive the funds.
Learn more about which loan product you qualify for here.
ALF Loan Helps with:
Bridge payment of funds from school districts, government or foundations grants.
Upfront capital for a fundraising event.
Upfront costs to producing a performance, including paying artists and paying facility costs.
Aid in renovating a facility.
Debt consolidation.
Quick Facts about the Arts Loan Fund
Maximum loan amount is $100,000, however, the approved loan amount is determined by an organization’s capacity to take on debt.
Repayment rate remains over 95%, due, in part, to the understanding that pay-back enables the fund to continue supporting the arts community.
Interest rates are either 3% or 3.5% depending on whether it is an unsecured or secured loan. The Debt Swap Loan is offered at 5%.