Florida Community Loan Fund (FCLF) is a statewide Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI). Established in 1994 as a 501(c)(3), we are a mission-based nonprofit organization dedicated to improving low-income communities throughout Florida by delivering flexible financing and staff expertise. Learn more about Our Impact.
Our lending provides various types of financing to meet the needs of nonprofit organizations and mission-based for-profit organizations that develop affordable housing, supportive housing, community facilities, and economic development projects. This financing can include loans for new construction, preservation, rehab, acquisition, lines of credit, and/or longer term permanent financing. Learn more about Borrowing from FCLF.
FCLF exists to maximize opportunities for people and places outside of the economic mainstream.
Opportunity and dignity exist for every person and community in Florida.
Our expertise and capital make projects succesful and help organizations improve lives and communities.
FCLF was founded to support community development across Florida. FCLF Founding Board Member Sister Mary Heyser of the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary inspired leaders statewide to capitalize “the Loan Fund.”
Under the wisdom and leadership of our founders, FCLF became Florida’s first statewide certified CDFI. We made our first loan for $50,000 to provide 7 single family homes for low-income households.
FCLF became certified as a Community Development Entity (CDE) by the U.S. Dept. of Treasury and began our New Markets Tax Credit program. The NMTC program continues to have a high impact on economic development and jobs creation.
Coming out of the Great Recession strong than ever, FCLF remained patient and persistent as we worked alongside community developers. We also received our first major support from the State of Florida to preserve affordable multifamily housing.
2014 was a record-setting year for FCLF, as we deployed over $45 million in financing in a single year – a number that has continued to increase in subsequent years. In 2014, FCLF was one of 3 CDFIs awarded the national Wells Fargo NEXT Opportunity Award.
By 2018, FCLF's total assets had grown to $71 million through management of our loan portfolio improving low-income communities. We were recognized for our hard work and impact with an NMTC Allocation award and a CDFI Award including Florida's only award for HFFI (Healthy Food Financing Initiative) and Disability Finance.
FCLF continues to grow and evolve with net assets totaling $108 million and 411 loans closed. Over the past 2 years we reacted swiftly to the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic, creating emergency relief loan programs for FCLF borrowers, and partnering with fellow CDFI CRF to offer Paycheck Protection Program loans.
Tammy Thomas joined Florida Community Loan Fund in August 2006. As CFO and member of the senior management team, Tammy is responsible for overall risk and asset management of the organization, accounting practices, financial and compliance reporting, budget preparation, tax and audit functions. She provides fiscal oversight and monitors capital deployment and loan portfolio risk. She is instrumental in negotiating investment terms and covenants, administration of closings, and oversight of all investor and CDFI Fund compliance reporting. In her tenure with FCLF, capital under management has grown from $38MM to $336MM. Ms. Thomas is responsible for asset management and loan servicing for FCLF’s $183MM NMTC portfolio.
Thomas has 25 years of experience in accounting, financial management, contract administration, and compliance reporting. Her extensive management background is the result of experience from both non-profit and for-profit industries, including membership associations, legal, and manufacturing. Ms. Thomas earned a degree in Finance and Business Administration from the University of Central Florida and an MBA from Crummer Graduate School of Business at Rollins College. She has participated on the Performance Counts working group, a CDFI industry-led collaborative effort to develop industry standards and best practices around financial statements and financial management. In 2014, Ms. Thomas was selected to participate in The Citi Leadership Program for Opportunity Finance.
"We commend the important work of your organization, are glad to support its efforts." – Beverly Dabney
“With FCLF’s invaluable assistance, HBH was able to realize a transformative vision that is a game-changer for our community."– John Aquino, Dir. of Admin
“Affordable housing is an issue that needs our full attention. This grant, along with the efforts of FCLF, will help inspire and build better lives and communities." – Steve Fisher, Regional Pres
"FCLF plays a significant role in sustaining vibrant and thriving communities. We are pleased to support your ongoing community based efforts." – Ernie Diaz, South Florida Market President
"This renovation is an investment in the community we have served for 25 years. We are tremendously grateful to FCLF for boldly supporting us." – Ed Durkee, President & CEO
Partnering with FCLF allows PNC to help build strong communities. - Aileen Pruitt, Florida Market Manager, PNC Community Development Banking
"We appreciate how the work of FCLF primarily benefits low- to moderate-income individuals and areas and supports the needs of our community." – Maria J. Thompson, Community Development Manager
“Thanks to FCLF we’re able to provide brand-new safe, affordable homes for 90 families in a sustainable mixed-use, mixed-income community." – Mitchell Rosenstein, Founder & Principal
“Our partnership with FCLF makes an enormous difference in overcoming the challenge of providing affordable housing." – Jo Ann Nesbitt, President/CEO
"FCLF is very focused on bringing financing to affordable housing. Stability in these households brings stability to the entire community." – Jonathan Wolf, President & Founder
"Thanks to FCLF on behalf of the many women and children served by our team. We have seen thousands of lives changed and NMTC financing was an extraordinary boost." – Constance Collins, Presi
"The Fathers Table Foundation appreciates the services FCLF provides and the impact on the communities you serve. We believe in your organization and your mission." – Dan Gilardi, President
"BankUnited understands the challenges facing our communities; we applaud FCLF's efforts. Thank you for making our community a better place to live." – Katrina Wright, VP Comm. Dev.
"FCLF understood our context, embraced the project vision, and were willing to make an investment that others deemed as too risky." – Lynn Brockwell-Carey, Executive Director
"Partnering with FCLF helped us lower costs and maintain our construction schedule… helping us serve more families, more efficiently." – Catherine Steck McManus, President & CEO
“FCLF addresses local community needs, which aligns with our core values. We appreciate your commitment to our communities.” – Mellissa Slover-Athey, Comm Reinv Ofcr
“We are grateful for FCLF’s partnership. This is what is possible when a community comes together for its most vulnerable neighbors."– Stephanie Berman-Eisenberg, Pres/CEO
“Thank you FCLF for assisting me with this project. Soon we will have affordable housing ready, and the community is proud to welcome new families."– Robyn Yant, Owner & Founder
“FCLF does more than finance deals; they make true community investments."– Mandy Bartle, Executive Director
"We're thrilled to partner with FCLF to make our project a reality to serve generations of kids in our community." – Dawn Stanhope, President & CEO
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