NALCAB (National Association for Latino Community Asset Builders) was established as a one-of-a-kind CDFI intermediary organization dedicated to maximizing the economic contributions of the Latino population to the U.S. economy. The organization operates a network of 200+ member CDFI and economic development nonprofit organizations with presence spanning all 50 states, Washington DC, and Puerto Rico.
NALCAB provides four primary areas of support to member organizations: Capital (lending, loan guarantees, grants, and impact investing opportunities), Capacity (technical assistance, webinars, workshops, and tailored training), Collective Voice (policy advocacy at local, state, and federal levels), and Community (peer-to-peer connections, national conferences, and leadership development). In 2024 alone, NALCAB distributed 84 grants totaling $2,228,500 to community economic development nonprofits and trained 1,052 professionals. The organization has surpassed $50 million in lending volume and provides advisory services to government agencies and congressional offices.
What distinguishes NALCAB is its intermediary model—it doesn't directly serve individual consumers but rather supports and strengthens the nonprofit organizations that do. The organization operates as both a funder and capacity builder, offering individualized technical assistance alongside capital access. Their work spans multiple sectors including neighborhood development, small business development, financial capability, and housing (evidenced by their $650,000 loan to Centro para la Reconstrucción del Hábitat for Puerto Rico housing crisis response).
NALCAB functions as a free-help resource for nonprofit organizations and their affiliated communities. While not a direct consumer credit counseling service, it serves the broader ecosystem of organizations providing financial assistance and community development. End consumers typically access NALCAB's impact indirectly through their member organization networks rather than through direct service. Counselors can evaluate whether an installment loan for consolidation makes sense. For those with damaged credit, credit repair companies can dispute inaccurate items with all three bureaus. Secured credit cards and credit builder loans offer structured paths to rebuilding credit scores over time.