News

Northern Initiatives Jumpstarts Businesses

As part of a new partnership with Issue Media, we’re getting the word out about our work to a statewide audience.

This article, in SW Michigan Second Wave and Rapid Growth in Grand Rapids, talks about two more Cs of credit – Courage and Compassion, especially when it comes to investing in startups:

In keeping with its mission as a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), Northern Initiatives provides loans to small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs who might not qualify for a small business loan from traditional banks for various reasons. The traditional 5 Cs of Credit (Capital, Condition, Capacity, Collateral, Character) are augmented by two more  — Courage and Compassion.

John Capers of Pop’s Family Kitchen exemplifies courage. Shatawn and Nadia Brigham of GRNoir exemplify compassion.

Read the Full Article

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