New Hampshire Community Loan Fund

10/23/2026

Ten years ago, Joseph Whitten was building clothing drop-off bins in his driveway and storing garbage bags in his shed. Today, Apparel Impact employs 50 people, operates more than 1,850 collection bins across six states, and recycles over 20 million pounds of textiles annually. ♻️👚💪

The journey wasn't easy. Traditional banks turned him away. But one small loan from the Community Loan Fund helped turn an idea into a business that's creating jobs, reducing waste, and helping thousands of people access clothing with dignity.

Stories like this remind us that investing in local entrepreneurs creates lasting impact for entire communities. Read more on our website (https://nhclf.org/apparel) and come to our Annual Meeting on Nov. 5 in Manchester to hear about Joe's journey.

10/22/2026

🤑This week's "Capital & Connection: 5 Money Mistakes Businesses Make" presentation by Janie Wang had attendees laughing and nodding their heads. Janie helped dispel myths like, "There’s money in the bank so I can afford it," for entrepreneurs who are starting or growing their small business. Janie is a founder and business advisor with experience in digital commerce and growth; B2B and DTC marketing; and eCommerce, demand generation, and digital strategy. Thanks to everyone who joined us and to Janie for helping everyone avoid money mistakes in the future!

The program was hosted by the Business Alliance for People of Color and the Community Loan Fund's Community Driven Economic Empowerment program.

The Community Loan Fund provides capacity-building funding and coaching for New Hampshire entrepreneurs to help their businesses become financially resilient and self-sufficient.

The Business Alliance for People of Color (BAPOC™) is a New Hampshire nonprofit that advocates, supports and promotes businesses owned by persons of color.

📷Image: Janie Wang; Community Loan Fund staff Latonya Wallace and Catherine Bryars, and Tochi' Nwoke, of JPMorganChase

10/21/2026

Why do CDFIs matter? Watch this episode to learn how Community Development Financial Institution Loan Funds, like the New Hampshire Community Loan Fund, create pathways to financial inclusion. 💵🤝🏘️

10/20/2026

Take a look at the fall issue of NHREALTOR® magazine to learn more about how federal legislation could help re-shape New Hampshire's housing landscape, particularly related to the most affordable homeowership option: manufactured homes.

In "Manufactured Affordability," Community Loan Fund Chief Operating Officer & SVP of ROC-NH Sarah Marchant addresses a misconception about manufactued homes.
The article says: “For years, a persistent myth suggested that manufactured homes depreciate like automobiles. In New Hampshire, data has soundly debunked this narrative. …
‘These are truly appreciating real estate assets that offer homeownership opportunities and the ability to get your foot in the door,’ Marchant said.’

Read more in NHREALTOR®, a publication of New Hampshire Realtors: https://secure.viewer.zmags.com/publication/281071e6 #/281071e6/10

10/20/2026

We’re proud to announce our inaugural rating from Fitch Ratings. The SEC-registered credit rating agency has assigned the New Hampshire Community Loan Fund an A- Issuer Default Rating with a Positive Outlook.

This outstanding rating recognizes our strong asset quality, disciplined underwriting and risk management, sound earnings, improving capitalization, and more than four decades of leadership in affordable manufactured housing and resident-owned community lending.

This milestone reflects the trust of our investors and partners, the dedication of our team and board, and—most importantly—the resilience of the people and communities we serve. Together, we’re expanding access to affordable homes and helping local businesses, nonprofits, and communities thrive.

Thank you to everyone who makes our neighbors-investing-in-neighbors model possible. We’re energized by what this recognition means for the future and the impact we can build together.

And thanks to Jaime Aldama, Ellis Carr, and the entire Momentus Securities team for advising us through the process.

Read more in our press release:

The New Hampshire Community Loan Fund announced that Fitch Ratings has assigned the organization an 'A-' Issuer Default Rating with a Positive Outlook.

10/19/2026

Our Director of Small Business Engagement, Latonya Wallace, will be speaking at the Black New England Conference on Saturday, Oct. 24 in Manchester. As part of a panel on "Freedom, Wealth, Ownership, and Collective Prosperity," Latonya will share her expertise on “Building Opportunity: Who Gets the Opportunity to Build Wealth?”
Register: www.blackheritagetrailnh.org/bnec

Just over 1 week away...what are you most looking forward to at ? If you haven't, get your tickets today: https://sbctd.share.hsforms.com/2xI_Z3cL5T3668s1P_MOjrA

10/16/2026

You're invited to the New Hampshire Community Loan Fund's 2026 Annual Meeting on Thursday, November 5 in Manchester!
🏘️ Hear stories from our borrowers on the impact your support has had in their lives (including homeowner Sara Blair, Iron Wheel Cooperative, and Apparel Impact CEO Joe Whitten, pictured).
🤝 Network with fellow supporters and Community Loan Fund staff and borrowers.
🫒 Enjoy heavy hors d’oeuvres. A cash bar will be available.

Join us to reflect on the progress we’ve made together in creating and preserving affordable homeownership and resilient communities in New Hampshire. RSVP: https://nhclf.org/mtg26

Join us for an evening of connection, conversation, and celebration as we reflect on the progress we’ve made together in creating and preserving affordable homeownership and resilient communities in New Hampshire.

10/16/2026

📖Homeowners in resident-owned communities across New Hampshire have new titles for their (to be read) lists thanks to a book collection drive organized by U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan. Senator Hassan's staff recently donated 200 books to restock lending libraries at ROCs, like Rural Bend Cooperative in Ashland. Thank you, Sen. Hassan!

📷Image 1: ROC-NH staff members with Pam Rothgaber (middle left), President of Friendship Drive Cooperative in Salem, N.H, and a Community Loan Fund board member; and Erin Cotton (middle right), Senior Policy Assistant and Senior Projects Assistant for Sen. Maggie Hassan.

📷Image 2: The lending library at Rural Bend Cooperative.

10/12/2026

10/12/2026

Congratulations to Latonya Wallace, who was awarded the Manchester N.A.A.C.P. Unit # 2069 2026 NAACP Economic Justice Champion tonight!

Many of our staff members were there to help celebrate her much-deserved honor.

BAPOC SmallBusiness ManchesterNH WeThePeople