Financial Strength
Where We Get Our Funding — And How We Use It
Where We Get Our Funding — And How We Use It
“Where do you get your money?” is a question we’re asked nearly every time we introduce people to our work, and they’re often surprised by the answer.
Neighbors helping neighbors is one of our guiding principles. We are fortunate to have a diverse mix of individuals, foundations, banks, businesses, and other nonprofits that fill our lending pool with investments and support our work through donations and grants.
A common assumption is that organizations like ours get a lot of funding from federal and/or state governments. We get some, but rely mainly on private investors and donors.
One way to understand where we get our money is by looking at how it’s used.
These funds are used for borrower education, training, and coaching.
It’s important that borrowers repay their loans so we can continue our four-decade long record of perfect repayments to our investors. Coaching is key to our success, and it’s funded through donations and grants.
Traditional financial institutions often won’t make the loans we do because they are seen as high-risk. But our hundreds of success stories prove that nontraditional borrowers can be successful — with the right assistance.
We connect our borrowers with coaching and other guidance that leads to successful loan repayments. Our coaching and guidance are specific to the needs of our borrowers. It might be helping a family repair their credit so they can buy their first home. It could be a “boot camp” training for the directors of a new resident-owned community. Maybe it’s business education for childcare directors, consultants matched to the needs of a growing entrepreneur, or other assistance that meets a borrower's specific challenges.
These funds are used to make loans across our programs.
Our lending capital comes from dollars invested, donated, or granted to us by individuals and institutions. Our investments offer fixed-interest rates and terms, much like a CD. Interest is paid annually and every dollar invested is put to work in loans that meet our mission. Our Permanent Fund is also used for lending capital. But unlike investments, these dollars have been donated or granted to us and don’t need to be repaid.
Permanent Fund dollars are critical because they allow us to meet borrower needs through innovation and flexibility. For instance, they allow us to offer 0% loans for down payment and closing cost assistance to low-income homebuyers or craft flexible loan terms that enable manufactured-home-park residents to purchase their parks at affordable rates.
These funds are used for salaries, operations, and other business costs.
Earnings from our loans help pay our costs of doing business. This includes office space, utilities, gas, and maintenance, along with salaries and health benefits that help us attract and retain our exceptional staff.
Government Grants and Loans
Federal, state, and local governments offer many grant programs that fund ideas and projects that provide public services and stimulate the economy. They are used to directly fund projects and low-interest loans to borrowers and other people we serve.
We apply, or help our borrowers apply, for grants that provide a direct benefit to the people we serve. Example projects include community solar arrays and water, sewer, and electrical infrastructure improvements at resident-owned communities. We also apply for federal grants and loans that are used to make low-interest loans to our borrowers.
When you hear that we’ve received a large federal grant, it doesn’t mean that we no longer need donations and investments from our traditional supporters. It usually means we are taking on a new project or program that will require far more funding than the grant will cover. It means your support is needed more than ever.
Financial Documents
The New Hampshire Community Loan Fund has a spotless record of 100% repayment to our investors since our founding in 1983. We take great care to maintain reserves to protect investors’ money.
Our financial strength and performance, along with our impact management, are evaluated annually by Aeris®, whose financial ratings assess capitalization, asset quality, management, earnings, and liquidity. Aeris® Fact Sheet.
We post our annual financial audit and federal tax form 990 online as soon as they are available. Our governing documents, conflict-of-interest policy, and financial statements are available to the public upon request.
If you wish to see a document that is not posted here, please call us at (603) 224-6669, or email us.
Audited Financial Statements
- Fiscal year 2024 Audit
- Fiscal year 2023 audit
- Fiscal year 2022 audit
- Fiscal year 2021 audit
- Fiscal year 2020 audit
Tax form 990
- Fiscal year 2023 990
- Fiscal year 2022 990
- Fiscal year 2021 990
- Fiscal year 2020 990
- Fiscal year 2019 990
Aeris Rating
please contact us for more information
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