NCIF recognizes that small enterprises often need more than just capital to grow.  That’s why we provides business advisory services along with loan capital.  Since inception, NCIF has provided over 17,000 hours of advisory services to over 900 companies.

NCIF’s strategic initiatives use targeted funding to “double down” on particular sectors, taking this combined approach of loan capital and business advisory services to the next level. For example:

• Through our Energy Efficiency Enterprise Initiative, we’ve partnered with USDA REAP (Rural Energy for America Program) to fund energy audits for small businesses, then follow up with loan financing to help borrowers finance the projects that make economic sense. 
• The Value Chain Cluster Initiative has mobilized consultants who have provided thousands of hours of assistance – from workshops on meat production to developing marketing plans for small farmers – to grow local food systems in 17 West Virginia counties.   

NCIF’s current strategic initiatives include:  Farmers of Color, Energy Efficiency, Local Food Systems and Sustainable Logging. 

For more information, please contact Rick Larson, Director of Strategic Initiatives at rlarson@conservationfund.org or 919-951-0113.