Community Funding Options for Disadvantaged Business Owners

Solution Seekers

Sara Razavi is the CEO of Working Solutions CDFI, an institution that makes capital and business consulting services available to diverse entrepreneurs. She has 20 years of experience in the social sector, with specific expertise in operations, strategy, small business, and partnership management.

Sara serves on the Board of Directors of the Opportunity Finance Network (OFN), the Advisory Council of RDEF Impact Investing Fund, and many other organizations. Before joining Working Solutions, she worked in multiple social sector entities specifically focused on serving under-resourced communities, including immigrant children and low-income families.

In this episode...

Historically, diverse and underrepresented business owners lack adequate access to the funding they need. So where can you acquire the funds to successfully launch your business?

CDFIs (community development financial institutions) receive funding from various federal, state, public, and private corporations to support disparaged individuals and business owners. When seeking capital from these institutions, social finance expert Sara Razavi advises evaluating the requirements and developing sound business models. Many lenders face risks and liability obligations, so it’s important to exercise patience and understanding during the process. Working Solutions works with these diverse individuals at any stage of their business to determine a funding option suitable for their needs.

In this episode of The Kennedy Events Podcast, Paige Buck welcomes Sara Razavi, CEO of Working Solutions CDFI, to discuss community funding efforts. Sara explains how CDFIs address funding disparities, the challenges business owners face when acquiring community funding, and her experience growing Working Solutions after succeeding the founder.