Some of the best business ideas start small. Across farms, forests and whitewater rapids, entrepreneurs see business potential in celebrating or sustainably tapping the environment. But how can these ideas move from the drawing board and into the community? The Conservation Fund offers small loan programs that can help emerging or growing sustainable businesses get ahead.

ShadeFund

The Fund’s ShadeFund™ is a microloan program launched in 2010 that provides small loans to green entrepreneurs.

While most microloan charities focus on entrepreneurs in the third world, the ShadeFund is aimed at American entrepreneurs and innovators who use natural resources creatively and responsibly to spur a greener economy. 

Established by the Fund with a lead grant from the U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities, ShadeFund accepts donations from individuals, companies and foundations to help green entrepreneurs grow their businesses and create jobs. As soon as donations are received, they are pooled by ShadeFund and can be used to support qualified small businesses nationwide. Once the entrepreneurs repay their loans, those same dollars are recycled to empower new investments in green endeavors.

Eligible industries include sustainable farms, forestry and forest products, ecotourism and small-scale renewable energy production. ShadeFund loans range from $5,000 to $50,000 and can be used for working capital, as well as for the acquisition of materials, supplies, equipment and certification.

To apply for a ShadeFund loan or support an entrepreneur, visit: www.shadefund.org.

Natural Capital Investment Fund

The Natural Capital Investment Fund (NCIF), an affiliate of The Conservation Fund, provides flexible, “patient” capital to small and emerging natural resource-based businesses that will advance sustainable economic development throughout West Virginia, North Carolina, Virginia, Northeast Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky.

In particular, NCIF provides up to $250,000 in debt or equity financing and targeted technical assistance to a broad range of environmental businesses—from specialty food producers to ecotourism and from biofuels manufacturers to multimillion dollar forest-products enterprises.

Supporting small businesses and entrepreneurs in rural communities creates more than just financial returns. The majority of NCIF's clients are in economically distressed rural counties where creating jobs—particularly in businesses that respect natural resources—is critical to a community’s very survival.

And, since the businesses are natural resource-based, they provide a reason to protect the lands and waters on which they depend, building a long-term foundation for prosperity and a sustainable business plan for conservation.

Learn more about the work of NCIF at www.ncifund.org.