Blog

In the United States, contributions from Hispanic Americans extend from activists that worked on rights for migrant workers,

First Southwest Community Fund is excited to announce our search for a strategic planning facilitator to guide us

The importance of building business credit and the power of understanding and having a credit history–for both startups

Our Fortaleza (Strength) Fund educational programming ended with a fabulous graduation on June 20th at the

Congratulations to First Southwest Bank (FSWB) on being named SBA Colorado's 2024 Rural Lender of the

National Small Business Week is celebrated during the first week of May and takes place from

Here at First Southwest Community Fund, we are pioneering new, innovative ways to support diverse entrepreneurs and small

Yani started her journey as a local bank teller, eventually landing a position as a loan assistant

Report Celebrates the Collective Impact of the Two Organizations in Rural Colorado The First Southwest Community Fund

We are pleased to announce that Jeannie Beier has joined the team as Director of Lending.

Why did you decide to become a FSWCF board member? Over the years I have seen the amazing

Why did you decide to become an FSWCF board member? I believe in the life-changing power of access

Happy New Year, friends ~  I hope 2024 is off to a great start for you. It has

I am so proud to be a part of the growth of the First Southwest Community Fund

Congratulations to the winners of our Technology Innovation Grants! We had almost 200 requests for funding with applications

Rosy Aburto McDonough has accepted the position of First Southwest Community Fund Executive Director. She will join the

Please join us in welcoming Tanya Perea Doose as our new Director of Programs. Her first day is

Congratulations to Masani's Beauty LLC and Sangre De Cristo Banking Company, two of the 11 recipients of our

First Southwest Community Fund, in partnership with the Colorado Startup Loan Fund, is offering Technology Innovation Grants designed to

First Southwest Community Fund, in partnership with the Colorado Startup Loan Fund, is offering small business grants of

First Southwest Community Fund announces the resignation of Azarel Madrigal as Executive Director, effective September 14, 2023. She

The important work we do as an organization is guided by our outstanding Board of Directors, composed of

First Southwest Community Fund (FSWCF), has received the 2023 Spirit of Alamosa Award by the Alamosa County Chamber

First Southwest Community Fund Executive Director, Azarel Madrigal, has been appointed to the First Southwest Bank Board of

Join us in welcoming Jason Medina as our newest board member! Keep reading to learn more about what

Welcome Tanya Perea Doose to the First Southwest Community Fund board of directors! Keep reading to read what

The First Southwest Community Fund (FSWCF), in collaboration with First Southwest Bank (FSWB), today released its 2022 Impact

Alamosa’s Friar’s Fork Restaurant was recently named a semifinalist for 2023 James Beard Award Best New Restaurant. Considered

Congratulations to the 16 graduates of the inaugural Leadership Alamosa program, including three FSWB & FSWCF staff members:

Dee Espinoza is founder, CEO, and Principal Investigator for Espinoza Cultural Services (ECS). ECS is a small-, woman-,

As Executive Director of First Southwest Community Fund, I’m happy to announce a new partnership that will build

Azarel Madrigal has been named the Adams State 2022 Exceptional New Alumna. She will receive her award during

During National Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 – October 15) and throughout the year, we commend the entrepreneurial

During National Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 – October 15) and throughout the year, we commend the entrepreneurial

During National Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 – October 15) and throughout the year, we commend the entrepreneurial

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 6, 2022 Contact: Ellen Stein | Marketing Director 970.844.8808 | ellen.stein@fswb.com   First Southwest Community Fund

We are delighted to announce the addition of Beatriz Garcia to our Board of Directors. Beatriz is such

Tell us about yourself and why you are passionate about small business /entrepreneurship. I am a San Luis

Tell us about yourself and why you are passionate about small business /entrepreneurship. I have taken a slightly circuitous

Maya’s Carniceria received $50,000 in capital from First Southwest Community Fund at Greater Colorado Pitch Series competition  First

Kent Curtis, President & CEO, First Southwest Bank (FSWB), and Board President, First Southwest Community Fund (FSWCF), and

Azarel Madrigal, Executive Director, with Bentley and Roxy The Board of Directors of the First Southwest

First Southwest Community Fund Announces Grant Funding to Five San Luis Valley Entrepreneurs First Southwest Community Fund (FSWCF),

Panelists offer hopeful message at Success for Native America discussion By Nicholas A. Johnson Herald Staff Writer |

2021 Brings Positive Impact to Rural Colorado Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Highlights include growth and increased support for under-represented entrepreneurs

     First Southwest Community Fund’s Azarel Madrigal, Acting Executive Director and Program Director , and Yani Rodriguez,

Sherry Waner, FSWCF Chief Development Officer, was recently appointed Vice-Chair of Colorado’s Minority Business Office Advisory Council. The

CLIMBER Loans are still available through the First Southwest Community Fund. As COVID recovery continues, we are offering

We are super excited to welcome Yani to our team. She will be a great asset to our

We’re pleased to support Small Business Saturday and encourage you to shop small businesses through the holidays –

The Rural Women-Led Business Fund is designed to provide access to funding and education for women entrepreneurs and

Tell us about yourself and why you are passionate about small business/economic development/entrepreneurship/finance. My name is Juana Maria

We’d like to thank our program director, Azarel Madrigal, for representing our values so clearly in her recent

During Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 – October 15) and throughout the year, First Southwest Community Fund (FSWCF)

Azarel Madrigal, First Southwest Community Fund Program Director, has been selected as one of six fellows from across

First Southwest Community Fund (FSWCF) was recently awarded $30,000 on behalf of EsoTerra Ciderworks in Dolores, Colorado through

In 2020 we launched the Rapid Response and Recovery Fund to support businesses with working capital as they

On June 12th, eleven youth representing four San Luis Valley counties took part in a Youth Entrepreneurship Fund

The Women's Foundation of Colorado // June 21, 2021 Giving Circle Invests $125,000 in Social Ventures That Expand

In partnership with ZOMA Foundation and the CLIMBER Fund, First Southwest Community Fund is announcing the Innovate Onwards

Technical assistance is a term often used in the economic development space to describe support, coaching or specialized

Hurst Hearing launched during the pandemic but because they received startup capital from First Southwest Community Fund and

We’re excited to welcome Geraldine Chavez to the FSWCF Team as our Finance & Operations Manager! Tell us

COVID-19 has affected almost every industry, and no application to our Rapid Response and Recovery Fund has been

The impact of COVID-19 on small businesses has been catastrophic, in many cases causing businesses to close their

First Southwest Community Fund (FSWCF) announces Azarel Madrigal has joined the team as the new Program Director. “We