CRF receives $500,000 grant from Sam’s Club
CRF received a $500,000 check from Sam’s Club last week. One of four contenders based on the number of votes by Sam’s Club members, we were delighted to take second place. Thanks again to everyone who supported us during this campaign!
VIDEO
We will use this grant to finance 150 small businesses and create and retain about 4,500 jobs across the country. In this economy, every job we add can help put this country back on the right track. We will work with local lending organizations to identify small businesses primarily in low-income and rural communities that can’t access traditional bank funding.
This campaign gave us a chance to reach out beyond our funding community to members of the general public to explain our mission here at CRF. Over the last several years, we have helped finance businesses in more than 700 communities around the country, businesses that are the lifeblood of job creation.
During this great recession, we have been working job by job, community by community, business by business, to put people back to work. With this grant from Sam’s Club, we can do much more than we could have done on our own.
Stay tuned to this blog for examples of entrepreneurs and small business owners that we’ve helped finance…
Showing posts with label Giving Made Simple Campaign. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Giving Made Simple Campaign. Show all posts
Friday, June 18, 2010
Friday, April 30, 2010
Baldinger Bakery
Breaking News: Baldinger Bakery Breaks Ground on New Facility
CRF Funding Keeps Buns and Recovery Rolling
This morning, CRF USA staff joined civic leaders and the owners of Baldinger Bakery, a 122-year old St. Paul, Minnesota landmark, in a ground-breaking ceremony to celebrate the company’s new state-of-the-art commercial baking facility.
>> Watch Video
The bakery had outgrown its original, 60,000 square-foot facility years ago, and seriously considered a move to the suburbs. With an acute need to expand production and stay competitive, Baldinger decided to purchase a nine-acre site and build a new factory from the ground up.
CRF USA partnered with the St. Paul Port Authority to provide the business financing needed for the new construction. The project will create over 50,000 hours of construction-related jobs, and the bakery employs over 100 full-time workers. Baldinger Bakery has supplied McDonald’s restaurants for over 50 years.
Now under construction, the new facility includes new equipment and many energy enhancements.
Baldinger Bakery has made buns, bread and other baked goods in St. Paul since 1888, employing thousands of Minnesotans. Today, many second- and even third-generation workers are still baking products for many of the world’s premier food companies.
Do you like this story? Help CRF USA secure a $1 million operating grant from Sam’s Club to fund 300 more deserving businesses. Tweet this message on April 30:
Tell @SamsClub: CRF_USA's financing of Baldinger Bakery keeps the buns & recovery rolling in St. Paul MN #sams4CRFUSA http://bit.ly/d02SaA
CRF Funding Keeps Buns and Recovery Rolling
This morning, CRF USA staff joined civic leaders and the owners of Baldinger Bakery, a 122-year old St. Paul, Minnesota landmark, in a ground-breaking ceremony to celebrate the company’s new state-of-the-art commercial baking facility.
>> Watch Video
The bakery had outgrown its original, 60,000 square-foot facility years ago, and seriously considered a move to the suburbs. With an acute need to expand production and stay competitive, Baldinger decided to purchase a nine-acre site and build a new factory from the ground up.
CRF USA partnered with the St. Paul Port Authority to provide the business financing needed for the new construction. The project will create over 50,000 hours of construction-related jobs, and the bakery employs over 100 full-time workers. Baldinger Bakery has supplied McDonald’s restaurants for over 50 years.
Now under construction, the new facility includes new equipment and many energy enhancements.
Baldinger Bakery has made buns, bread and other baked goods in St. Paul since 1888, employing thousands of Minnesotans. Today, many second- and even third-generation workers are still baking products for many of the world’s premier food companies.
Do you like this story? Help CRF USA secure a $1 million operating grant from Sam’s Club to fund 300 more deserving businesses. Tweet this message on April 30:
Tell @SamsClub: CRF_USA's financing of Baldinger Bakery keeps the buns & recovery rolling in St. Paul MN #sams4CRFUSA http://bit.ly/d02SaA
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
CRF USA financing secures future for family-owned restaurant where convention lending sources fail
CRF USA financing secures future for family-owned restaurant where convention lending sources fail
Neighborhood eatery, founded in 1984, remains key gathering spot
With all the negative news about the economy, it’s great to be able to share a few good stories and to show the impact non-conventional financing can have in a community. Small businesses are the lifeblood of job growth and neighborhood vitality – yet too often they struggle to obtain the capital needed to hire and expand. That’s where community development lenders like CRF USA can make a difference.
This spring, we helped Tooties On Lowry, a family-owned restaurant in Minneapolis, Minn. Tooties opened in 1984 and is an important community gathering place in its tight-knit north side neighborhood.
Unfortunately, recent events like access-limiting street repairs forced owners Nick and Lili Johnson to leverage their personal finances to keep the business afloat. The pair struggled to find credit options through mainstream channels.
“We didn’t think getting a loan was a viable option, given the lack of equity in the business and the declining state of the neighborhood,” Nick Johnson said.
Watch a video of Tootie’s owners Nick and Lili Johnson
Fortunately, with a small business loan from CRF USA, the City of Minneapolis and the Metropolitan Consortium of Community Developers, the Johnsons were able to purchase their building and free up much-needed cash to invest in the business.
“We are so grateful to CRF USA and the City of Minneapolis for helping us,” said Lili Johnson. “As one of the few full-service restaurants in North Minneapolis, we are thrilled to have new opportunities for growth and success in our community.”
Visit Tooties on Lowry at 2706 Lowry Avenue, Minneapolis, Minn.
Neighborhood eatery, founded in 1984, remains key gathering spot
With all the negative news about the economy, it’s great to be able to share a few good stories and to show the impact non-conventional financing can have in a community. Small businesses are the lifeblood of job growth and neighborhood vitality – yet too often they struggle to obtain the capital needed to hire and expand. That’s where community development lenders like CRF USA can make a difference.
This spring, we helped Tooties On Lowry, a family-owned restaurant in Minneapolis, Minn. Tooties opened in 1984 and is an important community gathering place in its tight-knit north side neighborhood.
Unfortunately, recent events like access-limiting street repairs forced owners Nick and Lili Johnson to leverage their personal finances to keep the business afloat. The pair struggled to find credit options through mainstream channels.
“We didn’t think getting a loan was a viable option, given the lack of equity in the business and the declining state of the neighborhood,” Nick Johnson said.
Watch a video of Tootie’s owners Nick and Lili Johnson
Fortunately, with a small business loan from CRF USA, the City of Minneapolis and the Metropolitan Consortium of Community Developers, the Johnsons were able to purchase their building and free up much-needed cash to invest in the business.
“We are so grateful to CRF USA and the City of Minneapolis for helping us,” said Lili Johnson. “As one of the few full-service restaurants in North Minneapolis, we are thrilled to have new opportunities for growth and success in our community.”
Visit Tooties on Lowry at 2706 Lowry Avenue, Minneapolis, Minn.
Friday, April 23, 2010
HELP CRF USA MOVE FROM SECOND TO FIRST PLACE AND WIN $1 MILLION!
HELP CRF USA MOVE FROM SECOND TO FIRST PLACE AND WIN $1 MILLION!
Community Reinvestment Fund, USA (CRF USA) is a finalist in the Sam’s Club Giving Made Simple campaign! We are very excited about the possibility of receiving a $1 million operating grant to help grow small businesses across the U.S. and create American jobs. We are currently in second place, and need your support to win!
If you’re a Sam’s Club Member, please vote every day through May 2 for CRF USA.
If you’re not a Sam’s Club Member, please tell your friends, family, neighbors and colleagues who are Sam's Club Members to vote for CRF USA every day through May 2nd at samsclub.com/giving
Help CRF USA win this grant by relentlessly demonstrating your support through May 2. Together we can put Americans back to work by financing small business growth!
WHAT CRF USA CAN DO WITH $1 MILLION
- Help create or retain 9,000 U.S. jobs
- Drive an additional $180 million in financing to small businesses
- Strengthen hundreds of small businesses
Community Reinvestment Fund, USA (CRF USA) is a finalist in the Sam’s Club Giving Made Simple campaign! We are very excited about the possibility of receiving a $1 million operating grant to help grow small businesses across the U.S. and create American jobs. We are currently in second place, and need your support to win!
If you’re a Sam’s Club Member, please vote every day through May 2 for CRF USA.
If you’re not a Sam’s Club Member, please tell your friends, family, neighbors and colleagues who are Sam's Club Members to vote for CRF USA every day through May 2nd at samsclub.com/givingHelp CRF USA win this grant by relentlessly demonstrating your support through May 2. Together we can put Americans back to work by financing small business growth!
WHAT CRF USA CAN DO WITH $1 MILLION
- Help create or retain 9,000 U.S. jobs
- Drive an additional $180 million in financing to small businesses
- Strengthen hundreds of small businesses
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Help CRF USA Win $1 Million to Put Americans Back to Work
Help CRF USA Win $1 Million to Put Americans Back to Work
VOTE EVERY DAY THROUGH MAY 2!
CRF USA has been chosen as a finalist in the Sam’s Club Giving Made Simple campaign! We’re honored – but even more, we’re excited at the possibility of receiving a $1 million operating grant to help grow small businesses across the U.S. and create American jobs.
With your support we can win this grant!
If you’re a Sam’s Club Member, use your Sam's Club Membership Number to vote every day through May 2. If you’re not a Sam’s Club Member, you can help us in one of the following ways:
Spread the Word – Tell your friends, family, neighbors and colleagues who are Sam’s Club Members to vote for CRF USA every day through May 2
TWEET for CRF USA - Follow, tweet and retweet about CRF’s nationwide impact on Twitter. Make sure you tweet on April 16 and April 30 using @SAMSCLUB and #SAMS4CRFUSA to help us double the votes we receive on those days!
FACEBOOK for CRF USA: Become a Fan of CRF USA on Facebook, and introduce us to your Facebook Friends.
Advocate for CRF USA – Download the complete CRF USA Supporter Kit for even more ways to show your support for job growth, small businesses, vibrant communities and the American Dream.
Help us win this grant by relentlessly demonstrating your support through May 2. Together we can put Americans back to work by financing small business growth!
VOTE EVERY DAY THROUGH MAY 2!
CRF USA has been chosen as a finalist in the Sam’s Club Giving Made Simple campaign! We’re honored – but even more, we’re excited at the possibility of receiving a $1 million operating grant to help grow small businesses across the U.S. and create American jobs.
With your support we can win this grant!
If you’re a Sam’s Club Member, use your Sam's Club Membership Number to vote every day through May 2. If you’re not a Sam’s Club Member, you can help us in one of the following ways:
Spread the Word – Tell your friends, family, neighbors and colleagues who are Sam’s Club Members to vote for CRF USA every day through May 2
TWEET for CRF USA - Follow, tweet and retweet about CRF’s nationwide impact on Twitter. Make sure you tweet on April 16 and April 30 using @SAMSCLUB and #SAMS4CRFUSA to help us double the votes we receive on those days!
FACEBOOK for CRF USA: Become a Fan of CRF USA on Facebook, and introduce us to your Facebook Friends.
Advocate for CRF USA – Download the complete CRF USA Supporter Kit for even more ways to show your support for job growth, small businesses, vibrant communities and the American Dream.
Help us win this grant by relentlessly demonstrating your support through May 2. Together we can put Americans back to work by financing small business growth!
Monday, April 12, 2010
Successful Event
Giving Made Simple Kick-off Event
Thanks to everyone who showed their support for CRF USA at Saturday's Sam's Club - Giving Made Simple kick-off event in St. Louis Park, MN. Special thanks to our borrowers, La Perla Tortilleria, Welna Ace Hardware and Tooties On Lowry for sharing their CRF USA stories with Sam's Club Members. Check out the photos on the CRF USA Facebook page.
Thanks to everyone who showed their support for CRF USA at Saturday's Sam's Club - Giving Made Simple kick-off event in St. Louis Park, MN. Special thanks to our borrowers, La Perla Tortilleria, Welna Ace Hardware and Tooties On Lowry for sharing their CRF USA stories with Sam's Club Members. Check out the photos on the CRF USA Facebook page.
Friday, April 9, 2010
Join us this Saturday, April 10 to rally for jobs and small businesses
Calling all Minnesotans!
If you’re a Sam’s Club Member, join us this Saturday, April 10 to rally for jobs and small businesses!
Saturday, April 10
10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Sam’s Club
3745 Louisiana Avenue
St. Louis Park, Minn.
Enjoy Music from the City Songs choir, a children’s choir supported by Plymouth Christian Youth Center, a nonprofit human services organization that utilized CRF USA financing.
Learn about our community impact directly from small business owners who’ve utilized CRF USA financing:
Tootie’s on Lowry, Nick and Lili Johnson
Tooties Restaurant is an important community-gathering place and a landmark in its tight-knit north Minneapolis neighborhood. When Tooties’ owners needed a loan to purchase their operating location and improve cash flow, their lack of equity in the business made bank financing a long shot. Thanks to CRF USA and its partners, Tooties was able to weather the recession and is now one of the most successful full-service restaurants in North Minneapolis.
Welna Ace Hardware, Jim Welna
Welna Ace Hardware Store has been a family-owned and operated business for more than 50 years. When the business outgrew the small space it occupied, Mark Welna turned to CRF USA to help purchase a larger building. The new store – twice the size of the old space – allows for a broader inventory to reach a wider customer base.
La Perla Tortilleria, Manuel Payan and Jose Payan Jr.
After starting a retail tortilla distribution business in 1999, Jose and Neomi Payan transformed their endeavor into a thriving wholesale operation. With such rapid growth, the Payans were ready to increase production. However, when the couple did not qualify for traditional financing. CRF USA and its lending partners were able to loan the Payans $300,000 to purchase their operating location and new equipment, plus make improvements to the factory in order to boost production capacity. As a result, the Payans were able to hire 15 new employees, almost all of them from the local Hispanic community.
Meet local dignitaries, entrepreneurs and community partners who support CRF USA’s work to strengthen our communities.
If you’re a Sam’s Club Member, join us this Saturday, April 10 to rally for jobs and small businesses!
Saturday, April 10
10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Sam’s Club
3745 Louisiana Avenue
St. Louis Park, Minn.
Enjoy Music from the City Songs choir, a children’s choir supported by Plymouth Christian Youth Center, a nonprofit human services organization that utilized CRF USA financing.
Learn about our community impact directly from small business owners who’ve utilized CRF USA financing:
Tootie’s on Lowry, Nick and Lili Johnson
Tooties Restaurant is an important community-gathering place and a landmark in its tight-knit north Minneapolis neighborhood. When Tooties’ owners needed a loan to purchase their operating location and improve cash flow, their lack of equity in the business made bank financing a long shot. Thanks to CRF USA and its partners, Tooties was able to weather the recession and is now one of the most successful full-service restaurants in North Minneapolis.
Welna Ace Hardware, Jim Welna
Welna Ace Hardware Store has been a family-owned and operated business for more than 50 years. When the business outgrew the small space it occupied, Mark Welna turned to CRF USA to help purchase a larger building. The new store – twice the size of the old space – allows for a broader inventory to reach a wider customer base.
La Perla Tortilleria, Manuel Payan and Jose Payan Jr.
After starting a retail tortilla distribution business in 1999, Jose and Neomi Payan transformed their endeavor into a thriving wholesale operation. With such rapid growth, the Payans were ready to increase production. However, when the couple did not qualify for traditional financing. CRF USA and its lending partners were able to loan the Payans $300,000 to purchase their operating location and new equipment, plus make improvements to the factory in order to boost production capacity. As a result, the Payans were able to hire 15 new employees, almost all of them from the local Hispanic community.
Meet local dignitaries, entrepreneurs and community partners who support CRF USA’s work to strengthen our communities.
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