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    Funding for Creative Small Businesses and Creative Entrepreneurs

    Creative Business Loan Fund

    The Creative Business Loan Fund supports affordable, flexible financing to small, creative businesses across the commonwealth. Inspiration for creation of this fund stemmed from the awareness of a growing need for financial support for creative small businesses, which are important drivers of employment and economic vibrancy.

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    Program Overview

    Launched in 2020, the Creative Business Loan Fund (CBLF) provides affordable, flexible financing to small, creative small businesses across the commonwealth.

    The fund focuses on creative businesses located in underserved communities including those located in small towns and rural communities.

    Eligible loan uses include working capital; equipment purchases; renovations to retail, production, or office space; and, in limited cases, building acquisitions. Loan amounts vary, ranging from a few thousand dollars to $250,000.

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    Loan Fund Statistics

    (As of November 2025)

    • Average Loan Amount = $169,000
    • Total of Loans Closed = $8.4M
    • 25% of loans used for real estate acquisition
    • Breakdown of loan uses:
      • Real Estate = 13
      • Working Capital = 24
      • Equipment = 6
      • Property Renovation and Building Inventory = 4
      • Marketing = 3
      • Access to Markets = 1

    Eligible Uses

    Eligible uses for Creative Business Loans include:

    • Working capital;
    • Equipment purchases;
    • Renovations to retail,
    • Production, or office space; and,
    • In limited cases, building acquisitions.

    What is a creative business?

    Under the program's definition, creative businesses include craft manufacturers, arts schools, architecture, design and fabrication firms, media companies, and visual and performing arts production agencies.

    Loan Fund Management

    The fund is managed by Bridgeway Capital, Rising Tide Community Loan Fund, and Finanta (formerly Community First Fund), each holding a defined percentatge of responsibility for deploying available loan capital and providing small business technical assistance in their respective regions.