Worker owners of Dulce Hogar smiling at the camera during a presentation in front of a room.

Lending

BCI provides loans to local cooperatives, solidarity economy projects, and businesses converting to coops through the DC Solidarity Economy Loan Fund.

The DC Solidarity Economy Loan Fund

BCI manages and distributes funds through the DC Solidarity Economy Loan Fund (DC SELF). Our non-extractive terms ensure that cooperatives who borrow are always made better off financially than before they receive their loan.

Since launching in 2022, we have loaned over $4 million to local cooperatives and community groups
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A National Network, Local Connections

DC SELF is a local chapter of Seed Commons’ national loan network — which means we bring the power of big finance to strengthen local projects and cooperatives. Since 2012, Seed Commons has loaned out $100M to local solidarity economy projects across the country.

Economic and Democratic Power

Most loans comes at a cost — if a business fails, the lender walks away with their money, but the impacts on workers, owners and the local community can be devastating. At DC SELF, we believe that risk should remain with the lender, rather than be held by the business. 

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Non-extractive practices

Our terms are designed to ensure that cooperatives who borrow from us are never made worse off financially than before they receive their loan. Loans are not repaid until businesses have enough revenue to do so, which means co-ops can prioritize living wages and financial stability over loan payments.

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No personal guarantees or assets required

Unlike typical lending practices, our loans do not require worker-owners to provide personal guarantees or sign over their assets. This means no matter what happens with your business, you will not lose your personal property to pay a loan back.

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Ongoing support

We use a relational model to mitigate risk, and support co-ops throughout the entire process of a loan. You'll have regular meetings with a loan officer during the loan application process and throughout repayment, where you can ask questions, and get support when you need it. 

A photo of some of the worker-owners of Dulce Hogar Cleaning Cooperative. They are smiling and wearing their uniforms.

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CASE STUDY: SWAMP ROSE

Building power with excluded workers

Our partners at Seed Commons recently highlighted BCI’s impact. Learn how our lending work has helped create a regional solidarity economy over the past four years.

A photograh of worker owners of Swamp Rose Co-op. They stand around their pick up truck outside on a sunny day.

Interested in Applying for a Loan?

Contact us to request an intake and learn more about our lending opportunities and processes. 
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Our Other Services

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Coop Incubation

We provide incubation from idea to launch for worker-owned cooperatives, collectives, and solidarity economy projects, including technical, administrative, and legal support.

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Network Membership

We support cooperatives and solidarity economy organizations in DC, Maryland, and Virginia with business development, administrative, and legal assistance through the BCI Network.