What We Do

Renaissance Economic Development Corporation provides direct financing and technical assistance services throughout New York City. Renaissance focuses on low-income, immigrant neighborhoods where the barriers of language, culture and conventional loan underwriting have stymied the growth of small businesses. Underpinning all of Renaissance's lending activity is a commitment to increase business opportunities for low-income, minority, women, and immigrant entrepreneurs.

Who We Are

Renaissance was established in 1997 as a 501(c)3 nonprofit community development financial institution in partnership with Asian Americans For Equality, a nonprofit community development organization dedicated to the provision of affordable housing and services to low- and moderate- income immigrants in New York City. Since its inception, Renaissance has provided more than $600,000 in affordable loans to over 30 small businesses and entrepreneurs. In addition, Renaissance has offered comprehensive training to dozens of business owners and entrepreneurs and provided technical assistance to over 100 businesses.

Renaissance is certified as a community development financial institution through the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Community Development Financial Institutions Fund, which has also awarded the organization grants for capital and capacity building needs. Renaissance was also recently approved for funding through the SBA Microloan Program. Additional support for Renaissance's Small Business Loan Fund and technical assistance programs has come from New York State's Empire State Development Corporation, New York City's Department of Business Services, Merchants Bank of New York, Citigroup and Chase Manhattan Bank.

Renaissance is governed by a board of experienced commercial lenders, local development experts, and concerned community business people and residents, all of whom have invested significant financial and other resources in these communities. Our senior management team is comprised of lenders and practitioners with extensive financial and technical skills, and the background to implement programs and ensure the long-term viability of the organization.

For more information about Renaissance Economic Development Corporation, or our programs, please contact us.