Question 1

What is Rising Tide Community Loan Fund?

Accepted Answer

Rising Tide Community Loan Fund is a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) and subsidiary of Community Action Lehigh Valley (CACLV). We provide affordable small business loans, microloans, lines of credit, and free technical assistance to startup and established entrepreneurs in the Greater Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania, with a focus on businesses whose risk factors make traditional bank financing difficult.

Question 2

What types of loans does Rising Tide offer?

Accepted Answer

Rising Tide offers six loan products: Splash Loans (small microloans for inventory or marketing), Small Business Loan Fund (for established companies needing working capital or expansion funding), Bethlehem Small Business Loan Fund (for businesses within Bethlehem city limits), Lines of Credit (for seasonal working capital and inventory management), Creative Business Loans (for arts-based businesses through the PA Council on the Arts), and the Allentown Retail Mosaic Self-Forgiving Loan Program (gap financing for retail and service businesses in Allentown).

Question 3

Who is eligible for a Rising Tide loan?

Accepted Answer

Rising Tide serves startup and established small businesses in the Greater Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania area. We specialize in helping entrepreneurs whose risk factors make it difficult to obtain traditional business funding, including minority-owned businesses and women-owned businesses. Specific eligibility varies by loan product — for example, the Bethlehem Small Business Loan Fund requires the business to be within Bethlehem city limits.

Question 4

Where is Rising Tide Community Loan Fund located?

Accepted Answer

Rising Tide Community Loan Fund is located at 1337 East Fifth Street, Bethlehem, PA 18015. You can reach us by phone at 484-893-1039 or by email at rtclf-marketing@caclv.org. We serve the Greater Lehigh Valley area including Allentown, Bethlehem, and Easton.

Question 5

Does Rising Tide offer business technical assistance?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Rising Tide offers free technical assistance to small business owners including business coaching and mentoring, advisory services, financial planning assistance, and marketing support. These services are available to entrepreneurs who often do not have access to traditional business resources.

Question 6

How do I apply for a Rising Tide loan?

Accepted Answer

All application forms are available online at therisingtide.org/application-materials. Rising Tide encourages applicants to review the FAQs at therisingtide.org/faqs before starting the process, and to reach out for free technical assistance and advice as needed. You can contact us at 484-893-1039 or rtclf-marketing@caclv.org.

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