Rich

Dynamite Pest Control, Philadelphia

"As an entrepreneur, I can invest in myself and do something I enjoy while supporting my family. This business means everything to us."

Pamela

San Jose State University

“Being the first in my family to pursue a higher education, the college journey came with many obstacles and sacrifices. Opportunity Fund allowed me to lessen the stress of my financial burden, giving me more time for my studies and involvement in my community.”

Jimmy

Iguanas Burritozilla, San Jose

“Traditional banks, big and small, didn’t understand our business model, and we kept getting shot down. Opportunity Fund believed in us and took the time to understand us… It feels great to be Opportunity Fund’s 10,000th loan!”

Maria

Cosmetica Latina, Downey

“Opportunity Fund was completely transparent. They helped me understand the loan process and showed me I wasn’t the only one who gets stuck with high interest loans from predatory lenders.”

Nelda

GNC Kusina, Sacramento

“Madieu, my loan consultant, is there whenever I call him. Sometimes he comes all the way from the Bay Area just to visit us and see how we’re doing.”

David

Sage & Company, Huntington Beach

“After the recession, when banks were really no longer lending to small businesses, I found it hard to even approach a bank about financing. I was more than pleasantly surprised when I called Opportunity Fund and Miguel answered the phone with such a positive outlook - I knew immediately, this was going to turn out well!”

Cathi Lundy

“Microfinance is one of the key tools stimulating economic growth around the world. Opportunity Fund is renewing our cities by helping bring this great resource to small business owners here in California and throughout the U.S.”

Fredrick Lee

"I continue to support Opportunity Fund in its efforts to provide entrepreneurs with the tools and resources to start and grow their businesses. With shrinking resources from the government, Opportunity Fund is stepping up to the plate to help small businesses succeed."

Dana Eckert

“Opportunity Fund embodies the American Dream, the ideal that everyone should have an equal opportunity to achieve success through hard work, determination and initiative. To me, investing in people’s dreams is one of the best ways to combat poverty.”

Sonia Wadhawan

“Opportunity Fund enables economic independence and growth at the grassroots level. This is a mission that I am passionate about supporting because we are investing in community change makers. This is the most basic and necessary form of entrepreneurship.”

Ron Gonen

“Supporting Opportunity Fund allows me to combine my love for entrepreneurship with my desire to have positive community impact. Owning your own business, creating jobs, and showing the next generation that anything is possible ... these are all wonderful things made feasible by microfinance.”

Frank Ghali

“I believe in expanding access to financial education and resources, democratizing entrepreneurship, and the life-long impact of effective coaching and mentorship. For all of these reasons, I am proud to support the work and mission of Opportunity Fund.”

Rick Williams

Sobrato Family Foundation

“Opportunity Fund is a valued partner in expanding economic opportunity for families and communities in Silicon Valley. The Sobrato Family Foundation’s desire to help people reach their potential is realized in the talented and diverse individuals launching businesses with the support of Opportunity Fund.”

Gayatri Agnew

Sam’s Club Giving

“Sam’s Club has always been committed to supporting small business owners. Our Giving Strategy reflects this commitment – we’re proud to support Opportunity Fund, which shares our commitment to supporting the success of underserved small business owners through access to affordable loans.”

Angie Jean-Marie

Goldhirsh Foundation (LA2050)

"Opportunity Fund fills an important gap in Los Angeles and throughout California, providing underserved entrepreneurs—particularly women, immigrants, minorities—with the capital needed to sustain and grow their businesses, provide for their families, and realize their version of the American Dream."

James Alva

Citi

“Access to capital is vital for small business owners to grow their businesses and create jobs. At Citi Community Development, we recognize that Opportunity Fund is at the forefront of expanding access to affordable microloans that drive economic resilience for individuals, their families and cities.”

Marsha Bonner

Annenberg Foundation

“The Annenberg Foundation is proud to support Opportunity Fund as it works to expand opportunities for working people.”

Jessica Kaczmarek

The James Irvine Foundation

“Opportunity Fund’s commitment to providing entrepreneurs with the resources and support they need to achieve their goals has the potential to change lives and communities.”

Cristina Shapiro

Goldman Sachs

“Goldman Sachs is proud of our commitment to Opportunity Fund to expand the reach of its high-impact work to more California small businesses. Opportunity Fund is creating jobs and driving economic growth, which directly aligns with the goals of our 10,000 Small Businesses initiative.”

Amy Chung

The California Endowment

“The California Endowment is proud to partner with Opportunity Fund. The organization’s focus on economic opportunity and inclusion for underserved populations is critical to building assets and strengthening communities across California.”

Dick Fletcher

Beneficial State Bank

“Beneficial State Bank is proud to partner with Opportunity Fund on its trucking loan program. We value working with a like-minded CDFI, and this program allows us to promote our commitment to clean energy and provide capital to many small business owners in the areas where our bank operates.”

Rey Ocañas

BBVA Compass

“BBVA Compass is proud to support Opportunity Fund because it is a vital, innovative engine of opportunity for small businesses. It is helping those businesses create jobs and brighter futures, and bringing the age of opportunity to legions more people.”

John Fox

Heritage Bank of Commerce

“At Heritage Bank of Commerce, we are proud to support Opportunity Fund in their efforts to positively impact the economic vitality of our communities and keep the small business entrepreneurial spirit alive.”

Sahra Halpern

Schwab Bank

“Schwab Bank is proud to work with Opportunity Fund, an innovative non-profit leader in small business lending. Small businesses are essential to our economy, and Opportunity Fund has a strong track record of helping entrepreneurs access opportunity and create jobs throughout California.”

Rakesh

San Jose

“As the financial industry evolves, Opportunity Fund is transforming what it means to be a CDFI in the 21st century. I am honored to lead a team that builds the technology platform to help us achieve greater impact in the community.”

Jenna

Portland

“I’m motivated by Opportunity Fund’s commitment to impact and innovation in research. I love learning about how our clients’ lives have changed after they work with us, and sharing those outcomes with our community of supporters.”

Jessenia

San Francisco

“The social impact of Opportunity Fund’s core values ‘Dignity, Opportunity, Responsibility,’ is at the core of what motives me. I am excited and inspired by this organization every day, not only our clients, but the people that work here and the passion we have for our mission and achieving our goals.”

Mayra

San Jose

“When I talk to new borrowers from across the country on the phone, I am inspired to know that we are impacting the lives of business owners in areas that Opportunity Fund hasn't been able to reach before.”

Robert

Los Angeles

“It's an unbelievable feeling to not only work with so many great non-profit Community Partners across California that help improve the lives of so many others in their own right, but also to be part of the journey of helping small business owners grow and reach their dreams one step at a time!”

John

San Jose

“Working here is awesome… People here are friendly, positive, and encouraging.”

Economic Inequality:
Is the Deck Stacked? An Evening with Michael Lewis

October 2016 - Menlo Park, CA

Best-selling author Michael Lewis discussed economic inequality and the unfair realities of our financial system. He was joined by "Opportunity Funded" clients Alicia Villanueva and Maurice Brewster, who discussed their challenges accessing capital, and successes with Opportunity Fund's help.

East Bay Meetup

July 2016 - Oakland, CA

Opportunity Fund Board Member Arthur Johnson and his wife Nicole hosted a summer evening with friends to celebrate entrepreneurship and learn about Opportunity Fund’s work addressing economic inequality, including dinner by "Opportunity Funded" The RedDoor Catering.

Impact Meetings

February 2017 - Los Angeles, Palo Alto, San Francisco, CA

CEO Eric Weaver shared social impact results, reviewed Opportunity Fund's financial health, and took us behind the scenes of our big achievements in 2016.

Staff Retreat

June 2017 - Woodside & Santa Monica, CA

Opportunity Fund staff bonded over field games and barbecue in Northern California and beach volleyball in Southern California.

Taste of Microfinance LA

March 2017 - Los Angeles, CA

Supporters gathered to celebrate entrepreneurship and Opportunity Fund’s microfinance investments in Southern California. The night featured food from local “OpportunityFunded” chefs, including Los Balcones del Peru, Ricky's Fish Tacos, Mama's International Tamales, CJ's Wings, and Wirtshaus.

Taste of Microfinance SF

May 2017 - San Francisco, CA

Supporters gathered to celebrate entrepreneurship and Opportunity Fund’s microfinance investments in the Bay Area. The night featured food from local “OpportunityFunded” chefs, including Little Skillet, 3-3-3 Food Truck, Rebecca Jean Catering, Venga Empanadas, Johnny Doughnuts, and Treatbot.