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      Who We Are


The mission of Iowa Community Capital (ICC) is to strengthen the social and economic well-being of individuals and communities through financial services. ICC was incorporated in Iowa as a nonprofit organization in March 2000 to meet the needs of economically- and socially-disadvantaged populations and communities. We accomplish this by providing capital and financing to support community development activities.

Iowa Community Capital (ICC) is a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) that provides direct financing statewide to low- to moderate-income microenterprise (businesses with five or less employees) business owners, aspiring entrepreneurs and Des Moines business owners in distressed neighborhoods.

Our target market has traditionally been underserved and lacked access to mainstream financial institution products and services. This lack of access has been due to absence of branch facilities in the distressed neighborhoods and the business owner's lack of collateral, experience and/or credit issues.

ICC is a natural offshoot of our parent company, the Institute for Social and Economic Development (ISED) that has provided direct services in Iowa for over 14 years. ISED operates one of the oldest microenterprise development programs in the United States and received the Presidential Award for excellence in Microenterprise Development for poverty alleviation in 1999.

ICC began lending in March of this year and has financed five small businesses. We currently offer one microloan product with a maximum amount of $10,000 for a term up to five years. A second loan product is being developed. Initial funding for loans has been provided by ISED. The following is data regarding our loans and borrowers:

  • Created four new businesses
  • Created four jobs
  • All funded were 80% and below area median-income
  • Two of our small business owners were previously unemployed
  • 80% are single parents
  • 80% are people of color (two Hispanics, two African-Americans and one Caucasian)
  • 60% are women
  • One business owner has a disability
  • 60% of loans in Des Moines metro area

ICC has a Loan Committee with extensive experience in small business lending and working with our target population. One of our Loan Committee members is a small business owner.

ICC provides direct financing statewide to qualified small business owners. We will also refinance owners who are in a high interest rate business loan and/or predatory lending situation to significantly lower the interest rate.

Clients who are funded are required to submit financials on a quarterly basis and receive a minimum of six hours of development services annually. ICC also conducts site visits.