The Oakland Restorative Loan Fund 2.0
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In collaboration with our community partners, Pacific Community Ventures is proud to launch The Oakland Restorative Loan Fund 2.0 – a $3 million fund offering low interest, no-fee loans to small businesses based in Oakland, California!
As part of PCV’s Restorative Capital model, these affordable loans will include wrap-around technical assistance to ensure businesses are well-prepared and supported throughout the entire process. PCV does not require a minimum credit score to apply.
PCV is proud to have co-created this fund with our Founding Partners from the first Oakland Restorative Loan Fund, along with a coalition of local ecosystem partners that are equally invested in the Beloved Community of Oakland that we at PCV call home. As a team, we will be working with each Oakland Fund Partner to ensure that Oakland small businesses have the working capital and technical assistance they need to thrive!
Founding Partners
Community Partners
Anchor Partners
Additional Partners
What businesses are eligible?
- Business registered in California, with a business location in Oakland
- Businesses that have generated revenue for at least 9 months
- Businesses generating sufficient cash flow to afford monthly loan payments
- Businesses that can show a recent history of paying bills or debt payments on schedule
What businesses are not eligible?
- Rideshare and transportation, real estate, cannabis, and non-profit enterprises
- Businesses based outside of Oakland and not registered in California
- Businesses that have not generated revenue for at least 12 months
- Businesses reporting net losses
What can the loan funding be used for?
This funding is for entrepreneurs who want to grow or sustain their businesses and are ready to take on affordable debt in order to do so. By knowing how you plan to grow or sustain your business with the loan, you are creating the conditions for successful repayment. Here are a few examples of how the funding can be used:
- Working Capital: covering day to day expenses like rent and utilities, or payroll during slow periods
- Inventory: buying bulk supplies to take advantage of discounts, purchasing raw materials, stocking up on inventory ahead of the holidays
- Upgrades: repairing old equipment, buying new fixtures
- Expansion: opening a second location, renovating a current store, hiring new employees, investing in a marketing campaign, building a website
Applications for the Oakland Restorative Loan Fund 2.0 are now closed. Additional loan products are still available from Pacific Community Ventures. Click here to learn more.
Frequently Asked Questions
PCV’s Oakland Restorative Loan Fund 2.0 is a $3 million loan fund serving the Oakland small business community. The Fund offers flexible, patient loans featuring below-market rates and no fees to support underinvested small businesses in Oakland. The program includes comprehensive pre- and post-loan technical assistance to ensure businesses are well-prepared and supported before, during and after the loan process.
The fund was capitalized by Kaiser Permanente and co-designed with feedback and input from our Fund 1 Partners and a roundtable of other organizations that serve Oakland, all of whom are deeply invested in serving underrepresented business owners. Our Fund 1 Partners include the Black Cultural Zone and The Oakstop Effect, and our roundtable partners include Alliance for Community Development, The Unity Council, and Greenlining Institute, among others.
Oakland Fund 2.0 follows the successful deployment of PCV’s inaugural $2.5 million Oakland Restorative Loan Fund I in 2021 and 2022. Oakland Fund I served 37 diverse entrepreneurs, including in the most distressed neighborhoods of Oakland. The funds helped local businesses across multiple industries survive the pandemic, including restaurants, daycares and fitness gyms.
To learn more, download the Oakland Fund Playbook, a place-based guide to investing in underestimated people and places by first listening to, and co-creating with, community power builders. Each section highlights stories to inform and inspire future place-based efforts, as well as a User Guide with questions and resources for practitioners.
In light of the current macroeconomic conditions, as well as the challenges being faced by many small business owners in Oakland as our incredible city builds toward a safe and prosperous future, we recognize the importance of determining if a loan adequately serves your current business needs.
Taking on a small business loan might not be advisable in certain circumstances. If you would like to meet with an advisor to discuss cash flow, address existing debt, analyze revenue growth patterns or to assess your financial stability, we strongly encourage you to work with one of our ecosystem partners to receive personalized technical assistance. Each of our partners is equipped to help you determine if you are well positioned for an Oakland Fund 2.0 loan, or if there are other resources that would best serve you at this time.
Need help to determine if a loan is right for your business? Connect with one of our partners…
| The Black Cultural Zone Community Development Corporation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to revitalizing East Oakland through community-driven initiatives. By fostering Black arts, culture, and economic empowerment, we aim to create a thriving, resilient, and equitable community for current and future generations. | • Business Support and Development: Providing comprehensive support for businesses at all stages, including regulatory compliance assistance, business planning, access to capital, and marketing guidance and centering Black-owned businesses within the Black Cultural Zone. • Commercial Corridor Revitalization: Driving economic growth and development within the Black Cultural Zone by attracting new businesses, supporting existing ones, and enhancing the overall commercial environment. • Community Empowerment: Fostering a thriving community by investing in arts, culture, and youth development programs, while also addressing community needs like affordable housing and job training. |
| The Oakstop Effect enhances economic mobility by harnessing the power of social capital within communities of color. Through our programs, we integrate workforce development, small business support, arts programming, and health & wellness programs, particularly for Black residents facing housing security and justice impacted individuals aspiring to lead and uplift their communities.
Our Entrepreneur Ecosystems program leverages a culturally relevant technical assistance model to help entrepreneurs refine their businesses with a focus on increasing their revenue, employee headcount, and eligibility for funding using the range of relationships available within Oakstop’s place-based ecosystem. |
• The Oakstop Effect serves entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds, at all stages of development, who are interested in actively participating in a place-based ecosystem: • Culturally Relevant Technical Assistance: Equipping entrepreneurs with the skills and knowledge needed to navigate and succeed in business, using a peer to peer technical assistance model. • Ecosystem Building: Facilitating new relationships for businesses, whether clients, vendors, funders, or collaborators, tailored to the needs of the business. • Capital Readiness: Providing access to Oakstop’s “capital continuum” network, which offers a range of capital options (from business grants to equity investments), and guiding entrepreneurs through financing options, eligibility requirements, and application procedures. |
| Prospera is dedicated to providing culturally specific cooperative education, business training, and leadership development to Latina entrepreneurs. Through Prospera’s programming, participants receive training, technical assistance, and leadership support, and they are given the means and safe space to create community with other Latina entrepreneurs. | • Culturally- and linguistically-specific events, workshops, courses and 1:1 sessions on: Business and cooperative development, financial literacy, technology, and leadership. • Create and nurture a network of solidarity among entrepreneurs and worker-owners. • Serving Latina immigrant entrepreneurs who are looking to launch their own coops/business, join a coop (93%) or grow their own coop/business (7%). |
| Uptima Entrepreneur Cooperative’s mission is to provide holistic and culturally relevant education, advising, and community to support diverse entrepreneurs in creating thriving businesses in service to their communities. Uptima’s services support entrepreneurs in starting, planning, growing, and keeping their businesses in their communities. | Uptima’s programs support creative and social entrepreneurs throughout their entrepreneurial journey: • Launch Academy: An 8-month entrepreneurship certificate program that supports creative and social entrepreneurs at the idea stage in starting their business and laying the foundation for their business to thrive. • Small Business Academy: An innovative 16-month business certificate program to support early stage entrepreneurs in creating plans, developing operational capacities, implementing infrastructure, accessing capital, and cultivating leadership capabilities to build resilient businesses. • Advising: One-on-one business advising to support established small businesses and cooperatives in accessing capital, implementing their growth plans, and actualizing the legacy of their businesses. |
| Established in 1985, The Oakland Chinatown Chamber of Commerce serves as a vital forum for discussing government policies, drawing attention to local issues and organizing and facilitating community events. Many in Oakland Chinatown and the broader Asian community depend on the Oakland Chinatown Chamber of Commerce to provide a voice about economic and social issues. | • Business networking events and workshops • Lunar New Year and Summer StreetFest • Small business advocacy |
| Founded in 1928, East Bay Community Foundation was one of the nation’s first community foundations, now serving people across Alameda and Contra Costa counties. We partner with donors, fund advisors, social movements, and the wider community to eliminate structural barriers, advance racial equity, and transform political, social, and economic outcomes for all East Bay residents. | Provides grant funding to diverse, Oakland-based, brick and mortar small businesses to boost their resiliency, invest in their capital readiness, and support them through the current economic downturn and increased community safety concerns. |
| The Oakland Latino Chamber of Commerce was established to support Latino owned businesses through technical assistance, loan and grant resources & economic development. Support services with a monthly newsletter, bilingual webinars, networking mixers, promoting a thriving business environment. | • Small Business Advocacy • Economic development • Business collaboration |
| Oakland African American Chamber of Commerce (OAACC) is a non-profit organization, established in 2003, whose mission it is to advance economic opportunity and strengthen Oakland’s Black business community. OAACC provides its members numerous services including access to workshops, access to capital, business development opportunities and advocacy, as well as business advisement. |
• Access to capital • Technical support for Black Business Owners • Advocacy |
| Established in 1991, the Oakland Vietnamese Chamber of Commerce represents close to one hundred small businesses in the City of Oakland. We provide resources and assistance to our members regarding business startup, development, and expansion. | • Small business advocacy • Technical support, grant and lending application assistance • Business networking and events |
| At The Unity Council we promote social equity and improve quality of life by building vibrant communities where everyone can work, learn, and thrive. | • Support small businesses with technical assistance through their entire lifecycle, from ideation and startup to growth and expansion. • Mission to transition businesses from the informal to the formal economy by providing workshops, training and 1 on 1 consultations. • As an ITIN acceptance center, the Unity Council plays a crucial role in helping small business owners obtain their ITIN. |
The Oakland Restorative Loan Fund 2.0 includes comprehensive technical assistance to help businesses prepare to apply for, and take on, a loan. To access this support, connect with one of our local partners:
| The Black Cultural Zone Community Development Corporation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to revitalizing East Oakland through community-driven initiatives. By fostering Black arts, culture, and economic empowerment, we aim to create a thriving, resilient, and equitable community for current and future generations. | • Business Support and Development: Providing comprehensive support for businesses at all stages, including regulatory compliance assistance, business planning, access to capital, and marketing guidance and centering Black-owned businesses within the Black Cultural Zone. • Commercial Corridor Revitalization: Driving economic growth and development within the Black Cultural Zone by attracting new businesses, supporting existing ones, and enhancing the overall commercial environment. • Community Empowerment: Fostering a thriving community by investing in arts, culture, and youth development programs, while also addressing community needs like affordable housing and job training. |
| The Oakstop Effect enhances economic mobility by harnessing the power of social capital within communities of color. Through our programs, we integrate workforce development, small business support, arts programming, and health & wellness programs, particularly for Black residents facing housing security and justice impacted individuals aspiring to lead and uplift their communities.
Our Entrepreneur Ecosystems program leverages a culturally relevant technical assistance model to help entrepreneurs refine their businesses with a focus on increasing their revenue, employee headcount, and eligibility for funding using the range of relationships available within Oakstop’s place-based ecosystem. |
• The Oakstop Effect serves entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds, at all stages of development, who are interested in actively participating in a place-based ecosystem: • Culturally Relevant Technical Assistance: Equipping entrepreneurs with the skills and knowledge needed to navigate and succeed in business, using a peer to peer technical assistance model. • Ecosystem Building: Facilitating new relationships for businesses, whether clients, vendors, funders, or collaborators, tailored to the needs of the business. • Capital Readiness: Providing access to Oakstop’s “capital continuum” network, which offers a range of capital options (from business grants to equity investments), and guiding entrepreneurs through financing options, eligibility requirements, and application procedures. |
| Prospera is dedicated to providing culturally specific cooperative education, business training, and leadership development to Latina entrepreneurs. Through Prospera’s programming, participants receive training, technical assistance, and leadership support, and they are given the means and safe space to create community with other Latina entrepreneurs. | • Culturally- and linguistically-specific events, workshops, courses and 1:1 sessions on: Business and cooperative development, financial literacy, technology, and leadership. • Create and nurture a network of solidarity among entrepreneurs and worker-owners. • Serving Latina immigrant entrepreneurs who are looking to launch their own coops/business, join a coop (93%) or grow their own coop/business (7%). |
| Uptima Entrepreneur Cooperative’s mission is to provide holistic and culturally relevant education, advising, and community to support diverse entrepreneurs in creating thriving businesses in service to their communities. Uptima’s services support entrepreneurs in starting, planning, growing, and keeping their businesses in their communities. | Uptima’s programs support creative and social entrepreneurs throughout their entrepreneurial journey: • Launch Academy: An 8-month entrepreneurship certificate program that supports creative and social entrepreneurs at the idea stage in starting their business and laying the foundation for their business to thrive. • Small Business Academy: An innovative 16-month business certificate program to support early stage entrepreneurs in creating plans, developing operational capacities, implementing infrastructure, accessing capital, and cultivating leadership capabilities to build resilient businesses. • Advising: One-on-one business advising to support established small businesses and cooperatives in accessing capital, implementing their growth plans, and actualizing the legacy of their businesses. |
| Established in 1985, The Oakland Chinatown Chamber of Commerce serves as a vital forum for discussing government policies, drawing attention to local issues and organizing and facilitating community events. Many in Oakland Chinatown and the broader Asian community depend on the Oakland Chinatown Chamber of Commerce to provide a voice about economic and social issues. | • Business networking events and workshops • Lunar New Year and Summer StreetFest • Small business advocacy |
| Founded in 1928, East Bay Community Foundation was one of the nation’s first community foundations, now serving people across Alameda and Contra Costa counties. We partner with donors, fund advisors, social movements, and the wider community to eliminate structural barriers, advance racial equity, and transform political, social, and economic outcomes for all East Bay residents. | Provides grant funding to diverse, Oakland-based, brick and mortar small businesses to boost their resiliency, invest in their capital readiness, and support them through the current economic downturn and increased community safety concerns. |
| The Oakland Latino Chamber of Commerce was established to support Latino owned businesses through technical assistance, loan and grant resources & economic development. Support services with a monthly newsletter, bilingual webinars, networking mixers, promoting a thriving business environment. | • Small Business Advocacy • Economic development • Business collaboration |
| Oakland African American Chamber of Commerce (OAACC) is a non-profit organization, established in 2003, whose mission it is to advance economic opportunity and strengthen Oakland’s Black business community. OAACC provides its members numerous services including access to workshops, access to capital, business development opportunities and advocacy, as well as business advisement. |
• Access to capital • Technical support for Black Business Owners • Advocacy |
| Established in 1991, the Oakland Vietnamese Chamber of Commerce represents close to one hundred small businesses in the City of Oakland. We provide resources and assistance to our members regarding business startup, development, and expansion. | • Small business advocacy • Technical support, grant and lending application assistance • Business networking and events |
| At The Unity Council we promote social equity and improve quality of life by building vibrant communities where everyone can work, learn, and thrive. | • Support small businesses with technical assistance through their entire lifecycle, from ideation and startup to growth and expansion. • Mission to transition businesses from the informal to the formal economy by providing workshops, training and 1 on 1 consultations. • As an ITIN acceptance center, the Unity Council plays a crucial role in helping small business owners obtain their ITIN. |
| Loan Size | $10,000 to $100,000 |
| Interest Rate | 3%, fixed |
| Fees | No application or closing fees |
| Term | 5 to 7 years |
| Interest-Only Period | 3 or 6 months |
| Payments | Loan payments due on 1st of every month |
| Prepayment penalty | None |
| Personal guarantee | Required from every owner of more than 20% |
| Source of Repayment | Business cash flow |
- Business tax returns for last three years (at least one tax return required if business is less than 3 years old)
- Year-to-date profit and loss statement
- Business debt schedule
- Three most recent business bank statements
- Personal tax return for previous year
- Authorization to pull personal credit report
- Loan application (questions about what your business sells, who it serves, opportunities/challenges, etc)
To request translation services, please contact us at lending@pcvmail.org. Be sure to specify the language you need translation support for, your name, and the name of your business.
• To access this page in Spanish, click here
• 要以粤语访问此页面，请单击此处
• Để truy cập trang này bằng tiếng Việt Nam hãy nhấp vào đây
PCV offers two other small business loan programs, summarized below.
The goal of the Oakland Restorative Loan Fund 2.0 is to build a thriving local economy by bolstering the resilience of Oakland small businesses. Together, we will do this by increasing access to low-cost capital and culturally-relevant support that helps small businesses surmount their most critical needs, and sustain, and grow their operations.
We designed the Oakland Fund 2.0 with feedback and input from our Oakland Fund 1 Partners and a roundtable of other organizations that serve Oakland, all of whom are deeply invested in serving underrepresented business owners. With the help of these incredible ecosystem partners, this capital will support entrepreneurs of color who are most at risk for gentrification and displacement by building successful businesses that drive good jobs and community-scale wealth creation in Oakland.
Thank you to our anchor partners, including Kaiser Permanente, for supporting the PCV Oakland Fund 2.0 and to all of our community ecosystem partners.
