At a glance
From its website, read 29 Oct 2026Carolina Small Business Development Fund (The Support Center) is a loan fund based in Raleigh, North Carolina. Its website describes microloans, SBA-backed loans and small-business loans. Stated loan amounts run up to $350,000. Where it lends: North Carolina (statewide). It serves borrowers in Spanish.
Each point is backed by a quote further down this page. Terms change: confirm with the lender.
How to reach them and apply
| Main | (919) 803-1437 source |
|---|---|
| Lending | (704) 534-3442 source |
| Phone | (919) 648-0294 source |
| Website | www.carolinasmallbusiness.org |
| Office (official list) | 3128 Highwoods Blvd Suite 170, Raleigh, NC 27604 |
What their website says about applying
we require interested applicants to complete a request for counseling with a member of our Business Solutions Team
sourceOnce you have completed your business consultation, you will need to gather and submit any required documentation.
source
Phone numbers and addresses are the ones on the lender's own site and the CDFI Fund list. CDFI Atlas does not take applications.
Rates and terms they state
Read 29 Oct 2026| Loan | Stated | Text on the lender's site (verbatim) | Page |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loans (general) | Rate stated, not as an APR: see their wording | RMAP loans are available up to $50,000 with a 7% interest rate. | source |
| Loans (general) | Rate stated, not as an APR: see their wording | La tasa de interés varia generalmente entre 8 % y 12 % | source |
As published on the lender's website on that date, not an offer or a quote. Your rate depends on the lender's review. A missing rate means the pages we read did not state one. For consumer loans we repeat a rate only when the lender states it as an APR (annual percentage rate, which includes fees); otherwise read the lender's own wording and ask for the APR.
Official record
CDFI Fund list, 21 Oct 2026| Institution type | Loan fund |
|---|---|
| Native CDFI | No |
| Date certified (as listed) | 17 Sep 2013 |
| RSSD ID | — (none listed) |
| Address | 3128 Highwoods Blvd Suite 170, Raleigh, NC 27604 Directions (Google Maps) |
| Website | www.carolinasmallbusiness.org |
Head officeBranch or officeApproximate (ZIP code area)
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors, © OpenMapTiles, tiles OpenFreeMap. Head-office points: U.S. Census Bureau geocoder.
Loans and eligibility
Verified from lender site on 29 Oct 2026Read from 6 pages of the lender's website on 29 Oct 2026. Quotes are verbatim. Reviewed by a person (Oct 2026). Items added later were extracted with AI help and checked automatically against the pages listed below. Confidence: high. Terms change — confirm with the lender before applying.
| Product | Amount stated | Text on the lender's site (verbatim, incl. menu labels) | Page |
|---|---|---|---|
| Microloans | — | PROGRAM. Meck Lending is Mecklenburg County’s revolving loan program offering microloans up to $75,000 and free advising to help small businesses grow. | source |
| SBA-backed loans (7(a)/504/Community Advantage) | — | SBA Community Advantage Lending | source |
| Small-business loans | up to $350,000 | We offer term loans with a maximum loan amount of $350,000 and flexible repayment terms. | source |
Loan sizes
Loans up to $350,000 in a wide range of industries and with flexible terms to meet your needs.
sourceWe offer term loans with a maximum loan amount of $350,000 and flexible repayment terms.
sourceThe maximum loan amount for this program is $75k.
sourceMeck Lending is Mecklenburg County’s revolving loan program offering microloans up to $75,000 and free advising to help small businesses grow.
source
Range used for the size filter: not stated to $350,000
Service area
North Carolina (statewide)
Carolina Small Business Development Fund is a statewide, 501(c)(3) nonprofit Community Development Financial Institution
source
Statewide: North Carolina
Borrower focus
- Low- and moderate-income / underserved
Nuestra misión es proporcionar servicios de préstamos, asistencia técnica y herramientas de gestión empresarial a los empresarios hispanos y la comunidad latina en Carolina del Norte; en especial a aquellos que están social o económicamente en desventaja o desatendidos.
source - Minority / BIPOC
Nuestra misión es proporcionar servicios de préstamos, asistencia técnica y herramientas de gestión empresarial a los empresarios hispanos y la comunidad latina en Carolina del Norte; en especial a aquellos que están social o económicamente en desventaja o desatendidos.
source - Rural
We're happy to offer qualifying rural businesses with an Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program loan.
source - Startups
Financial Capital CSBDF provides financing solutions and guidance to help entrepreneurs achieve their business goals. We provide financing to both start-ups and existing businesses in North Carolina and we are dedicated…
source
Languages
- Spanish
Nuestra misión es proporcionar servicios de préstamos, asistencia técnica y herramientas de gestión empresarial a los empresarios hispanos
source
Online application
No online application link found on the pages we read.
Pages read (6)
- https://www.carolinasmallbusiness.org/
- https://www.carolinasmallbusiness.org/loans
- https://www.carolinasmallbusiness.org/borrower-portal
- https://www.carolinasmallbusiness.org/mecklenburg-loan
- https://www.carolinasmallbusiness.org/financial-information
- https://www.carolinasmallbusiness.org/csbdf-en-espanol
Questions to ask when you contact them
Based on what their website said when we read it on 29 Oct 2026, and what it left out. Something missing here does not mean they don't offer it: ask.
- Is there a minimum loan amount?
Their website gives a maximum ($350,000) but no minimum. - Do you need collateral, a business plan or a minimum time in business?
Their website does not say what they require. - How long can I take to repay?
No repayment terms are stated on their website. - Can I apply online, or do I need to call or visit?
We found no online application on their website. - Do you offer free coaching or help preparing my application?
CDFI certification requires development services, such as training or advice, alongside lending. - What documents will you need from me, and how long does a decision usually take?
Their website describes some application steps (above); ask for the full document list.
Write down the answers, who you spoke to and the date, and ask for the terms in writing before you sign.
CDFI Fund awards
CDFI Fund database, 3 Nov 2026$8.7 million in 7 awards from the U.S. Treasury's CDFI Fund, 2000–2021 (CDFI Program, Financial Assistance; CDFI Rapid Response Program).
| Round year | Program | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | CDFI Rapid Response Program | $1,826,265 |
| 2014 | CDFI Program, Financial Assistance | $1,000,000 |
| 2013 | CDFI Program, Financial Assistance | $847,000 |
| 2012 | CDFI Program, Financial Assistance | $953,806 |
| 2011 | CDFI Program, Financial Assistance | $1,500,000 |
| 2004 | CDFI Program, Financial Assistance | $500,000 |
| 2000 | CDFI Program, Financial Assistance | $2,030,000 |
These are awards and investments made to the institution itself to build its capital and capacity. They are not loans to borrowers, and an award does not mean the lender has money available for a particular loan today.
Source: CDFI Fund Searchable Awards Database, all 12,628 award records (1996–2025), read 3 Nov 2026. Years are the award round as the database lists it. Matched to the official CDFI list by exact name and state; see the method on the About page.
Size of the fund (IRS Form 990)
Fiscal year ending Jun 2023| Total assets | $34.4M |
|---|---|
| Total liabilities | $18.8M |
| Net assets | $15.6M |
| Total revenue | $10.5M |
| Notes and loans receivable, net (Part X line 7) | $2M |
| Program-related investments (Part X line 13) | $25.8M |
End-of-year figures from the Form 990 this organisation filed with the IRS for the fiscal year ending June 2023 (tax year 2022; EIN 58-1903219, filed as “CAROLINA SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT FUND”), taken from the IRS Annual Extract of Tax-Exempt Organization Financial Data (returns processed in 2024). Figures are self-reported to the IRS, not audited by us, and lag one to two years behind today. The lender’s own annual report may show newer numbers. This organisation’s filings on ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer
Filings over time
| Fiscal year ending | Total assets | Net assets | Revenue | Notes and loans receivable |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 2021 (990) | $38.7M | $14.3M | $8M | $2.3M |
| Jun 2022 (990) | $42.8M | $14.5M | $6.4M | $2.3M |
| Jun 2023 (990) | $34.4M | $15.6M | $10.5M | $2M |
Total assets fell 11% from Jun 2021 to Jun 2023; notes and loans receivable fell 16%. One row per fiscal year in the IRS extracts of returns processed in 2022, 2023, 2024; “—” = the line was empty or zero on that return (a fund can book its loans on other lines).
How it compares
Computed from public data| Measure | This lender | Compared with |
|---|---|---|
| Median SBA 7(a) loan it approved, FY2020–FY2026 | $200,000 (61 loans) | All 7(a) lenders in North Carolina: $350,000. Larger than the median loan of 59% of the 97 other certified CDFIs with 10 or more 7(a) loans. |
| SBA approvals, FY2023–24 → FY2025–26 | 33 → 17 | Rank among the 8 certified CDFIs in North Carolina with SBA approvals in either period: 2 → 4. |
| Largest loan its website states | $350,000 | Other loan funds whose website states a maximum: median $250,000. Higher than the stated maximum of 53% of these 184. |
| Total assets, latest IRS Form 990 | $34.4M | Larger than 85% of the 13 other certified loan funds and venture funds in North Carolina with a matched Form 990 (median $8.6M). |
How these comparisons were worked out
| Measure | Peer group (this lender left out) | Peers | Where this lender sits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median SBA 7(a) loan | certified CDFIs with 10+ 7(a) loans, nationwide | 97 | larger than 59% |
| SBA approvals then vs now | certified CDFIs in North Carolina with SBA approvals FY2023–2026 | 7 | rank 2 → 4 of 8 |
| Largest stated loan | other loan funds stating a maximum, nationwide | 184 | higher than 53% |
| Form 990 total assets | certified loan and venture funds with a Form 990, in North Carolina | 13 | larger than 85% |
“Larger than X%” = the share of the peer group with a smaller value. Ranks count from the largest. Peer groups use the lender's home state when it has at least 5 peers, otherwise the whole country. Full definitions: methodology.
For comparison, not an offer and not a rating. Past records show what this lender did, not what you would be offered; your rate depends on the loan and on the lender's review. Peer groups and sources: methodology. SBA 7(a) & 504 FOIA data as of 30 Sep 2026. Form 990 figures: IRS annual extracts (see the Form 990 section).
SBA loans approved
SBA data as of 30 Sep 2026The SBA's public loan data lists 61 SBA-backed approvals for Carolina Small Business Development Fund (The Support Center) in fiscal years 2020–2026 (October 2019 to September 2026):
- 61 7(a) loans as the lender: $12.2M in total (gross amount approved), median $200,000
By fiscal year: FY2020 7 · FY2021 0 · FY2022 4 · FY2023 15 · FY2024 18 · FY2025 9 · FY2026 8.
What actually happened
- Size of its 7(a) loans: half were between $120,000 and $270,000, median $200,000 (61 loans)
- Term of its 7(a) loans: median 120 months (10 years) (61 loans)
- Interest rate at approval on its 7(a) loans in FY2025–26: median 9.75%, half between 8.75% and 10.75% (17 loans; SBA's initial rate, before any change on a variable loan)
- Fixed or variable: 100% of its 7(a) loans had a fixed rate (61 loans)
- Young businesses: 72% of its 7(a) loans went to a startup or a business two years old or less (61 loans with an answer)
Descriptive only: what the SBA file records for loans this lender approved in fiscal years 2020–2026. Each figure covers at least 10 loans; with fewer we show nothing. It is not an offer, not the rate or term you would get, and says nothing about your chance of approval.
By program
- 7(a) standard (35, 57%)
- 7(a) Community Advantage (26, 43%)
Borrower industries
NAICS sector, 3 or more loans.
- Accommodation and food services (12)
- Health care and social assistance (10)
- Retail trade (6)
- Construction (6)
- Manufacturing (5)
Where borrowers are
County of the borrower's ZIP code, 3 or more loans.
- Wake County, NC (13)
- Mecklenburg County, NC (9)
- Durham County, NC (5)
- Buncombe County, NC (3)
- Granville County, NC (3)
How this lender was matched in the SBA files: SBA lender ID 0484942: same organisation by name and state, checked by hand (SBA lists “Carolina Small Business Development Fund”).
Approved is not the same as paid out: an approved loan can be reduced or never drawn. SBA lists the lender each loan is currently assigned to, which can differ after a merger or loan sale. Carolina Small Business Development Fund (The Support Center) may also make loans outside SBA programs, which are not counted here, and SBA Microloans are not in these files.
Source: U.S. Small Business Administration, 7(a) & 504 FOIA loan data, files as of 30 Sep 2026, downloaded 3 Nov 2026. Our counts, cancelled approvals left out. How we match lenders.
Other certified CDFIs in Raleigh and North Carolina
- CAHEC Capital, Inc.Loan fund · Raleigh, NCAffordable housing development loansVerified
- Carolina Community Impact, Inc.Loan fund · Raleigh, NCOfficial list only
- Civic Federal Credit UnionCredit union · Raleigh, NCOfficial list only
- Bragg Mutual FCUCredit union · Fayetteville, NCAuto / vehicle loansVerified
- Business Expansion Funding CorporationLoan fund · Charlotte, NCSBA-backed loans (7(a)/504/Community Advantage), Small-business loansVerified
- Cares Project, Inc., TheLoan fund · Winston Salem, NCAuto / vehicle loansVerified
Work at Carolina Small Business Development Fund (The Support Center)? Link to this page
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CDFI Atlas is not a lender and does not give financial advice. Inclusion is not an endorsement, and lenders have not reviewed or approved these pages. Disclaimer.