No stored Google rating available.
UP Community Fund provides growth capital to small business owners with $300K-$5M revenue, emphasizing impact-focused lending to women entrepreneurs and communities of color.
Data compiled from public sources
UP Community Fund is a mission-driven lender focused on providing growth capital to small business owners who lack access to traditional financing. The organization explicitly targets entrepreneurs seeking to create greater economic and societal impact within their communities, positioning itself as more than a transactional lender.
The company offers customized funding solutions tailored to individual business needs, with their primary lending window serving businesses with annual revenue between $300,000 and $5 million. Their approach includes three core components: understanding the business deeply, customizing the funding solution, and providing ongoing experience context beyond the initial loan transaction. As of their 2020 Impact Report, UP Community Fund has funded $9.2 million across their portfolio, with an average loan size of $576,000.
What distinguishes UP Community Fund is their explicit commitment to impact-focused lending and diversity metrics. The organization highlights that 40% of their funded entrepreneurs are women entrepreneurs of color, suggesting deliberate underserved-market focus. They also reference "The UP Village," indicating a community support component beyond capital provision. This emphasis on community and ongoing support differentiates them from conventional small business lenders focused purely on loan economics.
Limitations worth noting: the website provides minimal detail on loan terms, interest rates, repayment periods, or specific eligibility criteria beyond revenue thresholds. The $576K average loan size suggests this is not micro-lending, and the $300K revenue minimum excludes very early-stage or pre-revenue businesses. Geographic service area is not specified. The 2020 Impact Report reference suggests data may not be current, and their website lacks details on application timelines, approval rates, or recent lending activity.
This is state-level context for Business Loans consumers in Charlotte, NC. It does not confirm that UP Community Fund or this specific location is licensed.
State regulator
North Carolina Commissioner of Banks
Consumer protection
North Carolina Attorney General Consumer Protection Division
Status: Permitted
Rate context: 8% APR general usury cap; 30% APR for consumer finance companies on loans under $10,000
Personal loans are regulated under North Carolina's general usury laws and the Consumer Finance Act. Licensed consumer finance companies may charge up to 30% APR on loans under $10,000.
Status: Permitted
Rate context: 8% APR general usury cap; 30% APR for consumer finance companies on loans under $10,000 under the Consumer Finance Act
Installment loans are regulated under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 53-180 et seq. (Consumer Finance Act). Licensed lenders must comply with rate caps and truth-in-lending disclosures.
Source: CreditDoc state-law summary and listed public regulator resources. Verify licensing directly with the listed state regulator before relying on a provider.
UP Community Fund offers 7 services including Growth capital/business loans for small business owners, Customized funding solutions tailored to individual business needs, Business understanding and evaluation services, Ongoing expertise and business support post-funding, Impact-focused lending to underserved entrepreneur communities, and 2 more.
UP Community Fund has profile signals associated with Women entrepreneurs and entrepreneurs of color seeking growth capital with values-aligned lenders, Small business owners with $300K-$5M revenue needing customized funding solutions, Impact-focused businesses prioritizing community and social outcomes alongside profitability, Entrepreneurs seeking ongoing mentorship and experience context alongside capital.
Key strengths: Explicitly serves women entrepreneurs and entrepreneurs of color (40% of portfolio); Provides customized funding solutions rather than one-size-fits-all products; Offers ongoing experience context and support beyond capital deployment. Areas to consider: Website lacks specific information on interest rates, terms, or APR; No clear explanation of detailed eligibility criteria beyond revenue range.
In the Business Loans category, comparable providers include Business Development Corp of America, Cash Nerd!, Reliable Funding, Inc.. Each company has different strengths, so compare services, pricing, and consumer complaint records before deciding what to do next.
CreditDoc Profile Note
UP Community Fund is profile signals for small business owners with $300K-$5M revenue—particularly women entrepreneurs and entrepreneurs of color—who seek capital alongside ongoing business support and want to work with a lender aligned with their community impact values. The main caveat is the lack of listed pricing information on rates and terms, making it essential to contact them directly for specific loan cost comparisons.
South Carolina-based SBA lender offering 7(a), 504, and SSBCI loan programs to small businesses for 68+ years with $2.07B invested.
Profile signals: Established small businesses in South Carolina seeking $100K–$5M for equipment, real estate, or business acquisition, Manufacturers and real estate-intensive businesses qualifying for 504 fixed-rate financing with high LTV requirements
Cash Nerd! is a Charlotte-based business funding broker offering loans, MCAs, and alternative financing for startups and established businesses seeking rapid access to capital.
Profile signals: Small business owners seeking multiple financing options without approaching lenders individually, Startups needing business formation services bundled with funding solutions
Reliable Commercial Funding connects business owners and investors with commercial loans up to $50M+ through a network of 200+ lenders, offering SBA, bridge, hard money, and real estate financing with 24-48 hour approval decisions.
Profile signals: Real estate investors seeking commercial property acquisition or refinancing loans of $1M-$50M, Business owners needing bridge loans for time-sensitive acquisitions or expansion deals
Answer 3 quick questions to review category, service, and profile context.
1. What's your primary financial goal?
A plain-English breakdown of every credit score range — what each number actually means for your loans, cards, and daily life, plus exactly what to do about yours.
Read guide →A plain-English breakdown of what credit products, loans, and cards you can realistically get at every credit score level — from deep subprime to excellent.
Read guide →Learn exactly how to check your credit score for free using legitimate sources, understand the difference between soft and hard inquiries, and know your rights under federal law.
Read guide →New to credit and lending? Here are the key terms used on this page, explained in plain language with real-number examples.
The total yearly cost of borrowing money, including the interest rate plus any fees the lender charges. Think of it as the 'true price tag' on a loan.
Lenders are required to show APR by law (Truth in Lending Act) because the interest rate alone can hide fees. Comparing APR across lenders is the most reliable way to find the lower-cost loan.
Example
You borrow $10,000 at 6% interest for 3 years, but there's a $300 origination fee. The interest rate is 6%, but the APR is 6.9% because it includes that fee. You'd pay $304/month and $946 total in interest.
The percentage a lender charges you for borrowing their money, calculated on the amount you still owe. It's the lender's profit for taking the risk of lending to you.
Even a 1% difference in interest rate can cost you thousands over a loan's life. Lower rates mean less money out of your pocket.
Example
On a $20,000 car loan for 5 years: at 5% you pay $2,645 in interest. At 8% you pay $4,332. That 3% difference costs you $1,687 extra.
A person who agrees to repay your loan if you can't. They're equally responsible for the debt, and their credit is affected by your payment behavior.
Cosigning helps people with thin credit get approved or get better rates. But it's a huge risk for the cosigner — they're on the hook for the full amount if you default.
Example
A parent cosigns their child's $30,000 student loan. The child stops paying after 6 months. The parent is now legally required to make the payments or face collections, lawsuits, and credit damage.
How long you have to repay the loan, measured in months or years. A shorter term means higher monthly payments but less total interest paid.
Longer terms feel more affordable monthly but cost much more overall. A 30-year mortgage costs almost double in interest compared to a 15-year mortgage on the same amount.
Example
Borrowing $200,000 at 6.5%: A 15-year term costs $1,742/month ($113,561 total interest). A 30-year term costs $1,264/month ($255,088 total interest). You save $141,527 with the shorter term.
A one-time fee the lender charges to process and set up your loan. It covers their costs for underwriting, verifying your information, and preparing paperwork.
Origination fees are usually 1-8% of the loan amount and are often deducted from your loan proceeds — so you receive less than you borrowed.
Example
You're approved for a $10,000 personal loan with a 5% origination fee. The lender deducts $500 upfront, so you receive $9,500 in your bank account but owe $10,000 plus interest.
The original amount of money you borrowed, before any interest or fees are added. It's the 'real' amount of your debt.
Your interest is calculated on the principal. Paying extra toward principal (not just interest) is the one route to reduce your total cost and pay off a loan early.
Example
You borrow $25,000 for a car. That $25,000 is your principal. Your first payment of $450 might split as $150 toward interest and $300 toward principal, bringing your balance to $24,700.
The process where a lender evaluates your finances — income, debts, credit history, assets — to decide whether to approve your loan and at what rate.
Understanding what underwriters look for helps you prepare a stronger application. They check your DTI ratio, employment stability, credit score, and the asset's value.
Example
You apply for a mortgage. The underwriter reviews your pay stubs (income), bank statements (savings), credit report (history), and orders an appraisal (home value). This takes 2-4 weeks.
Want to learn more? Read our Financial Wellness Guides for in-depth explanations and practical advice.
Affiliate Disclosure: CreditDoc may earn a commission when you click links to UP Community Fund and other services. These commissions help us maintain our free research. Compensation does not determine whether a provider can be covered; visible star ratings use stored Google review ratings when available. Learn more.