community_development · USDOT-CDFI
Fiscal Year 2026 Small Dollar Loan Program
Community Development Financial Institutions · CDFI-2026-SDL
Award Range
$20K – $500K
Total Program Funding
$9.0M
Expected Awards
66
Deadline
July 23, 2026
GRANTQUICK SUMMARYPlain-English Overview
The CDFI Fund is giving $9M (66 awards of $20K-$500K) to certified Community Development Financial Institutions to create or expand small-dollar loan programs — the kind that replace predatory payday lenders. If you're a certified CDFI offering (or wanting to offer) loans under $2,500 to unbanked/underbanked people as an alternative to 400% APR payday loans, this funds that program.
Who Should Apply
Certified CDFIs only — community development credit unions, loan funds, and community development banks/thrifts that are certified by the CDFI Fund. Must offer or plan to offer small-dollar consumer loans.
Who Should NOT Apply
Non-certified CDFIs (get certified first), regular banks without CDFI certification, payday lenders, fintech companies, or non-lending organizations.
Key Requirements (Plain English)
- •Must be a Certified CDFI (certification must be current)
- •Must establish or expand a small dollar loan program
- •Must provide alternatives to high-cost payday/predatory loans
- •Must serve unbanked or underbanked populations
💡 GrantQuick Tip
66 awards means this is accessible for most certified CDFIs that apply. The key: show demand in your community (how many payday lenders operate in your service area?) and your plan for sustainable lending (loss rates, pricing that covers costs without being predatory). If you're already making small loans, this is expansion capital. If you're not, show a clear product design and marketing plan to reach payday-lender customers.
Competitiveness: Low — 66 awards for the ~1,400 certified CDFIs nationally. Most qualified CDFIs that submit a solid application will be funded.
What This Grant Funds
Through the Small Dollar Loan Program (SDL Program), the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI Fund) awards grants to Certified CDFIs to establish and expand small dollar loan programs and provide alternatives to high-cost small dollar loans. Certified CDFIs will use award funds to help unbanked and underbanked populations build credit, access affordable capital, and allow greater access into the mainstream financial system.
Who Can Apply
Eligible Applicant Types
Funding Details
- Minimum Award
- $20K
- Maximum Award
- $500K
- Total Program Funding
- $9.0M
- Expected Number of Awards
- 66
- Cost Sharing Required?
- No
- Funding Instrument
- grant
Key Dates
Agency Contact
CDFI Fund Help Desk (202) 653-0421
sdlp@cdfi.treas.govReady to apply?
View the full NOFO and submit your application on Grants.gov