In need of funding for your small business?
Fill out the Funding Request Form to instantly request funding from five Lancaster County non-profits.
Funding Request FormWho provides the funding my business needs?
Lancaster County banks and financial institutions offer a number of funding options to local small businesses. Understanding what organization offers funding that best matches your business’ needs is the first step. Below are common types of funding and which organizations offer them.
| Assets | Ben Franklin Technology Partners | Berks Arts | Community First Fund | EDC Lancaster County | Lancaster City Alliance | Banks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loans - $50,000 or Less | X | X | X | ||||
| Loans - $50,000 or More | X | X | X | ||||
| Loan Products for Specific Industries | X | X | X | ||||
| Tax Credits and Loans for Specific Locations | X | ||||||
| Grants for Specific Industries or Locations | X | X | |||||
| Business Programming as Part of Loan Products | X | X | |||||
| Regularly Funds Startups | X | X | X | X |
Local Funders
Here are local funders that can support your small business. Find out more about each.
ASSETS
ASSETS is a 501(c)(3) and a community development financial institution (CDFI) that is transforming communities through entrepreneurship.
Community First Fund
Community First Fund is a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) that provides funding to small businesses.
Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Central and Northern PA
Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Central & Northern PA provides startup funding and business support services to tech-based startups and small manufacturers located in PA.
Lancaster City Alliance
With an emphasis on community and economic development, Lancaster City Alliance partners with businesses, local communities, arts, education, non-profits, and government entities to help ensure that the City of Lancaster is safe, clean, and vibrant for all. Its vision is “Lancaster City flourishes and everyone shares in its success.”
Lancaster City Alliance administers the programs of the Lancaster City Revitalization and Improvement Zone (CRIZ) Authority, including the CRIZ Small Business Financial Assistance Grant and Loan Program.
EDC Lancaster County
EDC works with large and small businesses in a number of ways to promote the economic well-being in Lancaster County.
Berks Arts
Berks Arts has focused on promoting the arts in the Greater Reading Community. Through the creation and support of visual and performing arts events, Berks Arts continues to carry out its mission: To Inspire, Engage and Unite our community through arts education, collaboration and presentation.
PennTap
The Pennsylvania Technical Assistance Program (PennTAP) at Penn State is a federal, state, and University partnership to stimulate statewide economic development. Our statewide network of expert technical advisors helps organizations maximize their competitiveness through in-person and virtual consultations, unbiased technical advice, online educational resources, and connections to Penn State experts, resources, and programs.
What does a lender need to consider my loan request?
Most lenders, from traditional banks to local nonprofits, will require similar documentation to consider and underwrite a business loan. Having this information on hand before reaching out to a lender can shorten the time needed to process the loan. Many lenders may ask you questions about the information provided on these documents during your first meeting. This information helps the lender understand if your business is a good candidate for funding and may allow them to immediately let you know if a loan may move forward. Every funding institution is different, but in general, you will be asked to submit the following documentation before your loan may be considered. If you are a new business, check out this list of what you will need for funding.
Funding for an Existing Small Business Lender Checklist
| Three years of personal tax returns with all pages and schedules |
| Two pay periods of pay stubs if you are a W2 employee |
| Three months of personal and business bank statements |
| Valid Driver's License for all borrowers |
| Rent Roll - For real estate with residential or commercial units |
| Sales agreement - 90-days due diligence period recommended for real estate |
| Sales agreement - Trucks, small vehicles or heavy equipment |
| Equipment invoice for small or large pieces of equipment, FF&E |
| Incorporation documentation, such as registration and by-laws or operating agreement |
| EIN document |
| Invoice and estimate from contractors for leasehold improvements or renovations - Construction projects |
| Existing business - YTD P&L and Balance Sheet |
| Business plan - needed for business under one year old |
| Projections with assumptions - needed for business under one year old |
| Accounts Receivable - report if applicable |
| Personal Financial Statement - form will be provided by lender |
| Credit Report - lender will pull your credit report |
Local Financial Tools
According to the IRS, a tax credit is a dollar-for-dollar amount taxpayers claim on their tax return to reduce the income tax they owe. Local, state, and federal governments offer tax credits as a way to incentivize investment and economic activity. Tax credits typically come with very specific rules, criteria, and geographic limitations. In Lancaster County, there are several options for businesses interested in accessing tax credits. The first step in understanding if a tax credit may be a good fit for your business is to contact the administering organization. See below for a list of tax credit options that are administered by Lancaster County organizations and municipalities. This list does not include many other state and federal programs.
| Name | Location | Admin | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| City Revitalization & Improvement Zone (CRIZ), Increment | City of Lancaster, CRIZ District | CRIZ Authority, the Lancaster City Alliance | |
| City Revitalization and Improvement Zone (CRIZ) Small Business Grant | City of Lancaster, CRIZ District | CRIZ Authority, the Lancaster City Alliance | Up to $25,000 grant for businesses who qualify and are located in the CRIZ district. Funds may be used for Acquisition, demolition, construction, renovation of a property, including leasehold improvements; new equipment related to expansion of an existing business; facade improvement; and, other items. |
| City Revitalization and Improvement Zone (CRIZ) Small Business Loan | City of Lancaster, CRIZ District | CRIZ Authority, the Lancaster City Alliance | The maximum loan is $100,000. The loan amount must be matched $1.00 of private funding to $5.00 of CRIZ financing. Funds may be used for Acquisition, demolition, construction, renovation of a property, including leasehold improvements; new equipment related to expansion of an existing business; facade improvement; and, other items. |
| Keystone Opportunity Zone | KOZ in Columbia and Gap | PA Dept of Community & Economic Development | Eliminates specific state and local taxes within specific underdeveloped and underutilized areas. This program seeks to redevelop underutilized properties into business districts and residential areas that present a well-rounded and well-balanced approach to community revitalization. |
| Educational Improvement Tax Credit | Pennsylvania | United Way of Lancaster County | A business firm may receive a tax credit equal to 100% of the first $10,000 contributed to a Pre-Kindergarten Scholarship Organization (United Way of Lancaster County) during the taxable year and may receive a tax credit equal to 90% of any additional amount contributed during the taxable year, up to a maximum of $200,000 of tax credits per taxable year. |
| Educational Improvement Tax Credit | Pennsylvania | Community Action Partnership | A business firm may receive a tax credit equal to 100% of the first $10,000 contributed to a Pre-Kindergarten Scholarship Organization (United Way of Lancaster County) during the taxable year and may receive a tax credit equal to 90% of any additional amount contributed during the taxable year, up to a maximum of $200,000 of tax credits per taxable year. |
| Tax Increment Financing Program | City of Lancaster, TIF District | City of Lancaster | Assists in the development, redevelopment and revitalization of Brownfield and Greenfield sites. The program provides credit enhancement for TIF projects to improve market access and lower capital costs through the use of guarantees to issuers of bonds or other indebtedness. |
| Local Economic Revitalization Tax Assessment (LERTA), City of Lancaster | City of Lancaster | City of Lancaster | LERTA is for property taxes and applies a tax abatement to the value of the increase in property-tax-assessment due to a property being rehabilitated or new construction. The program provides a 10-year abatement that runs with the property for improved/developed properties. |
| Local Economic Revitalization Tax Assessment (LERTA), Mt Joy Borough | Mt Joy Borough | Mt Joy Borough | LERTA is for property taxes and applies a tax abatement to the value of the increase in property-tax-assessment due to a property being rehabilitated or new construction. The program provides a 10-year abatement that runs with the property for improved/developed properties. |
| Local Economic Revitalization Tax Assessment (LERTA), Township of East Cocalico | Township of East Cocalico | Township of East Cocalico | LERTA is for property taxes and applies a tax abatement to the value of the increase in property-tax-assessment due to a property being rehabilitated or new construction. The program provides a 10-year abatement that runs with the property for improved/developed properties. |
| Local Economic Revitalization Tax Assessment (LERTA), Borough of Manheim | Borough of Manheim | Borough of Manheim | LERTA is for property taxes and applies a tax abatement to the value of the increase in property-tax-assessment due to a property being rehabilitated or new construction. The program provides a 10-year abatement that runs with the property for improved/developed properties. |
| Local Economic Revitalization Tax Assessment (LERTA), Borough of Elizabethtown | Borough of Elizabethtown | Borough of Elizabethtown | LERTA is for property taxes and applies a tax abatement to the value of the increase in property-tax-assessment due to a property being rehabilitated or new construction. The program provides a 10-year abatement that runs with the property for improved/developed properties. |
| Local Economic Revitalization Tax Assessment (LERTA), Borough of Millersville | Borough of Millersville | Borough of Millersville | LERTA is for property taxes and applies a tax abatement to the value of the increase in property-tax-assessment due to a property being rehabilitated or new construction. The program provides a 10-year abatement that runs with the property for improved/developed properties. |
| Historic Preservation Tax Credit | Pennsylvania | A Dept of Community & Economic Development | This state and federal program provides tax credits of 25-30% of construction project costs to qualified taxpayers who will be completing the restoration of a qualified historic structure into an-income producing property. |
| On-the-Job Training | Lancaster County | Career Link of Lancaster County | Program allows businesses to offset some costs associated with training new hires. Businesses are reimbursed at least 50% of a new, eligible employee’s wages for a predetermined time period. |
| New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) | Lancaster by Census Tract | Community First Fund | This federal program provides tax credits to banks that provide financing to large scale commercial real estate or mixed use projects located in targeted low income neighborhoods. The program works by providing modest tax credits to investors such as banks and other investment entities who provide loans and equity to large scale real estate projects in targeted neighborhoods. |
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