We believe every person deserves access to capital and business skills.
Our Mission
To serve low-income and minority populations by providing lending capital and technical assistance to facilitate small business expansion and job creation in underserved Harlem, Washington Heights, Inwood and Bronx communities.
Our Values
We are committed to the success of women and minority small business owners. We listen to what they need to provide access to capital, resources, and technical assistance.
Our Story
The Harlem Entrepreneurial Fund (HEF) was established in 2007 by the Harlem Commonwealth Council to provide low-income and minority entrepreneurs with supportive loan capital and technical assistance in Harlem, Washington Heights, Inwood, and the Bronx. Lending operations began in the summer of 2008, and HEF was certified by the U.S. Treasury Department as a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) in 2012. Since its inception, HEF has originated 360 loans for over $9 million and helped create or retain over 650 local jobs.