By William Green
On March 19th, Kindred Futures’ Strategy & Impact team convened a collaborative work session with leaders from Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) to address persistent barriers to capital access and chart a more unified path forward.
This session was part of Kindred Futures’ broader commitment to fortifying the small business ecosystem—particularly by empowering Business Serving Organizations (BSOs) in their role as frontline advisors to entrepreneurs.
Key Insights Emerged Across Three Areas:
- Systemic Barriers to Capital Access
CDFI leaders highlighted deep-rooted structural inequities that continue to hinder Black-owned businesses from accessing mainstream funding. Rigid underwriting standards and a lack of contextual understanding often result in entrepreneurs being underfunded—or denied capital altogether. - Gaps in Capital Readiness Support
Participants pointed to the lack of a consistent, tiered support framework for business owners. Many entrepreneurs receive generalized financial guidance that doesn’t align with their specific stage of growth—whether they are just launching or preparing to scale. - Misalignment Between Coaching and Lending Criteria
BSOs are often coaching entrepreneurs without a clear understanding of lenders’ expectations. This disconnect leads to mismatched referrals, creating frustration for business owners and missed opportunities for both BSOs and lenders.
Looking Ahead
This session reaffirmed that expanding access to capital goes beyond simply increasing funding but that it requires alignment, trust, and shared strategy. With the changing political climate, expanding capital access is more pivotal than ever. Policy shifts and economic uncertainty could widen existing disparities, making coordinated, equity-centered solutions all the more urgent.
Kindred Futures remains deeply committed to building a more inclusive ecosystem where Black-owned businesses have the capital, guidance, and opportunities they need to grow and thrive.