Fourth Plain Forward Awarded $1.39 Million Grant to Launch Lending Agency for Black, Latine and Tribal Communities

Have you heard? Fourth Plain Forward (FPF) has been awarded a $1.39 million grant from the Washington State Department of Commerce to establish a lending agency aimed at empowering Black, Latine, and Tribal communities by expanding their access to capital. This initiative marks a crucial milestone in our mission to support socio-economic autonomy, thriving neighborhoods, and equitable policy changes.

The new lending agency will build on FPF’s extensive experience serving local businesses and incorporate best practices from successful Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), banks, and credit unions throughout the region. Our aim is to address the longstanding injustices of historical and current lending practices, which have disproportionately harmed these communities.

We will focus on providing culturally congruent services while working within regulatory frameworks. Additionally, we plan to leverage cutting-edge AI and fintech tools to help reduce financing costs for micro-enterprises. At the heart of this effort is our goal to promote intergenerational wealth within Black, Latine, and Tribal communities.

We look forward to sharing more updates on this transformative initiative!