We Invest in Ambition

Northern Initiatives provides loans to small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs in Michigan that might not qualify for a small business loan from traditional banks for various reasons. Northern Initiatives offers access to capital at reasonable rates to those who would never have the chance or who would have entered business undercapitalized.

Supporting Businesses that Support Communities

Business Lending

Need a small business loan, but can’t get bank financing? We can help

Our lending team looks at character and cash flow. We can help your business get off the ground or continue growing with loans from $1,000 to $500,000. We even have interest-free loans for UPPCO customers working on energy efficiency projects.

Business Support

Resources and Coaching to Help Your Business Succeed

Starting a business takes more than just money, it takes know-how. Our team is focused on providing both so your business soars. We have tools, templates, videos and individual coaching to ensure you have what you need to succeed.

$91M

Given in small
business loans

100%

Of our loan customers receive additional business support

7,000

Total jobs created and retained by our small business loans

67%

Of our 2022 customers were startups

Our Impact

Our impact is measured through the success of our businesses and their employees. We have been able to give loans to hundreds of businesses and helped businesses create thousands of jobs, but our real success is when we see businesses across our region thrive. You can help us support that vision with a gift or ongoing partnership.

Featured Success Stories

Evart Daycare and Learning Center

Evart, Michigan
Brittany Magnusson knows how vital day care is. If Evart Daycare and Learning Center closes for just one day, there’s a domino effect: parents miss…
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Dabney & Co.

Kalamazoo, Michigan
For years, Daniel May has been a driving force behind community celebrations in Kalamazoo, including a Juneteenth bar crawl that left an indelible mark on…
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Four Leaf Brewing

Clare, Michigan
The whistle of trains mixes with the clop-clop of horses pulling buggies in downtown Clare. Outside of Four Leaf Brewing, it also mixes with the…
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RJ’s Printing

Kalamazoo, Mich.
Sean Hollins knows all too well the challenges of being a Black business owner – the search for funding, the wealth disparities, the lack of…
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J.bird Provisions

Charlevoix, Michigan
Jessica Nagel didn’t realize the depths of plumbing knowledge she was going to need to start a business. “There was virtually no plumbing I could…
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