ACE is the largest small business-focused community development financial institution (CDFI) in Georgia. In 2000, ACE started as a micro-lender with a pool of $50K, making small business loans to 4 counties in rural North Georgia. Nearly 19-years later, we’ve helped more than 950 businesses in 68 Georgia counties with $69M in fairly priced capital by giving people a chance when others wouldn’t.

In conjunction with our core mission, ACE’s vision is to decrease the racial wealth gap, particularly for African Americans and Latinx, through collaborative efforts. Today we are implementing year two of our 5-year strategic growth plan to double our social impact helping more nascent and existing business owners that need us most in rural and urban areas of Georgia. Organizationally, ACE’s strategic plan is designed to scale our self-sufficiency and core sustainability. The goal of this plan is scaling our lending program to $52M by 2022, which will effectively support almost 700 new clients and contribute to creating/retaining 10,000 jobs in the state of Georgia.

LISC connects underinvested communities with capital (loans, grants, and equity) and technical assistance. LISC Atlanta will focus on investments in neighborhoods to revitalize commercial corridors, expand the supply of affordable for sale housing, and add sports and recreation facilities to activate youth. LISC Atlanta will also focus on investments in talent to expand job training programs combined with financial coaching.

LiftFund assists small businesses that fall below the banks guidelines with the financing they need to allow their dreams to become a reality.

As NLP expands its lending program into Georgia, NLP will work with local, state, regional and national entities to bring affordable housing and economic benefit to the underserved population. NLP anticipates that within the first two years of the program expansion, an additional 240 individuals will be impacted by our expanded programs. NLP anticipates providing 150 units of affordable housing in Georgia, which will benefit individuals and families that rely on affordable housing for financial security. Each subsequent year of the program, NLP anticipates providing additional housing units with increased awareness of its expanded geography. NLP will strive to finance a minimum of 500 units per year beginning with its third full year operating in Georgia.

Mission/Vision driven

Expand accelerator through licensing curriculum, develop the cooperative attached to our accelerator to bundle micro businesses back office, expand brand through influencers and events, and to raise a $5M fund raised through a direct public offering.

Atlanta Emerging Markets, Inc. (AEMI) is a certified Community Development Entity that seeks to foster economic development, job creation, and neighborhood revitalization in Atlanta’s distressed neighborhoods by providing flexible financing products to high-impact businesses and real estate development projects.

We specialize in gap financing for businesses or developers with large-scale projects ($5MM-$25MM) in Census-designated distressed neighborhoods. We also offer financing for small businesses, medium-sized companies, and startups/social entrepreneurs seeking low cost financing or venture capital. Our funding comes from private investors who provide us with low-cost funds for gap financing in exchange for tax breaks facilitated through the Federal New Markets Tax Credits program.