First Southwest Community Fund (FSWCF) and First Southwest Bank (FSWB) have a unique partnership enabling us to provide inclusive and equitable accessible to capital and support for businesses in rural Colorado.
First Southwest Bank’s impact as a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) bank, combined with First Southwest Community Fund’s 501c3 status enables us to provide a range of innovative programs and services to small businesses, ensuring everyone can access the capital they need to grow and serve their communities.
First Southwest Community Fund (FSWCF) and First SouthWest Bank (FSWB) have a unique partnership enabling us to provide inclusive and equitable accessible to capital and support for businesses in rural Colorado.
First SouthWest Bank’s impact as a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) bank, combined with First Southwest Community Fund’s 501c3 status enables us to provide a range of innovative programs and services to small businesses, ensuring everyone can access the capital they need to grow and serve their communities.
In 2023, we invested $5.6 million in businesses across Colorado through grants and loans.
Where We Work
Small Communities
No town in our footprint has a population larger than 20,000; meeting all United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) definitions of rural.
High Unemployment
Eight of our rural counties have an unemployment rate above the statewide average and six counties have an unemployment rate above the nationwide average of 8.3%.
Diverse Communities
Seven of our rural counties have a Hispanic population larger than the statewide average of 17%; of those seven counties, four of them have a Hispanic population larger than 40% and two are majority Hispanic.
I was using credit cards to get my gallery started. It was a big relief to receive a low interest, start-up loan from First Southwest Community Fund. They listened to my goals and challenges. I can breathe again and move forward.
We are so thankful of you and of our community for this opportunity. We are so blessed to be a part of this community.
I can’t tell you what this means to us at this time. We’ve always been committed to our community and I totally intend on keeping my help and business intact. Your contribution to helping small business stay afloat is crucial and admirable.
We were not eligible for any of the larger loans. The micro-grant let us put a little money in the pockets of our staff that month.
Because of this grant money, we were able to purchase inventory we would not have been able to afford due to weak late winter revenue. These products are of interest to locals looking to find their adventure outside during these trying times.
I would like to say that First Southwest Community Fund impresses me more and more. Your team is really making an impact in the communities that you serve.
Overnight our entire business model changed to serving folks at home with home deliveries. The micro-grant helped us navigate these new waters and figure out our place in this new food system.