What began as a small team managing Chicanos Por La Causa’s Economic Development department throughout rural Arizona has grown into a powerful champion for small business and community investments across the Southwest. As we celebrate 25 years of Prestamos, and reflect on our milestones as a certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), we honor the programs, people and partnerships that have shaped our impact. 

Expansion into New Markets 

After becoming a certified CDFI in 2000, Prestamos strengthened its commitment to delivering meaningful economic opportunities to small businesses and underserved communities. This certification enabled Prestamos to operate as a private-sector financial intermediary with a mission centered on community development. From that point forward, our team worked closely with small businesses in both in rural and urban areas, while also focusing on supporting entrepreneurs in lower-income economic areas and communities often overlooked by traditional financial institutions. These efforts brought long-term economic benefits to families, communities and our entire state.  

Still, we knew our mission could reach further. 

In 2010, CPLC expanded outside of Arizona for the first time by launching operations in Nevada – with Prestamosleading the way. This expansion allowed us to serve entrepreneurs statewide with access to capital and small business technical advising – increasing both our footprint and our impact. Through programs such as the Clark County Technical & Economic Assistance, the Credit Builder Program and the Minority Business Development Agency, we grew our presence in  both the Las Vegas area and in Northern Nevada, helping business owners gain the support needed to thrive.  

Over the following years, CPLC and Prestamos continued its regional expansion – growing into Texas, New Mexico and California. Through New Market Tax Credit Investments, financial assistance programs and technical support initiatives, we have deepened our impact across the region, ensuring more entrepreneurs have the opportunity tobuild and sustain their businesses. 

Technical Assistance Program 

One of the key distinctions of Prestamos is our robust and comprehensive technical assistance (TA) programs. Our support for small business owners does not end with helping entrepreneurs access to capital. We provide a fullnetwork of resources designed to guide, educate and empower business owners at every stage of their journey. 

 Our team of Business Advisors provide individualized mentoring, coaching and guidance on business planning, financial projections, marketing strategies, and more. This integrated approach ensures that business owners are successful from concept to launch –  preparing them for capital investments when they’re ready to grow.  

A major milestone came in 2019, when Prestamos CDFI received its first major Technical Assistance (TA) grant through the Office of Community Service – Social Enterprise (OSC-SE). This grant helped Prestamos expand its capacity to support mission-driven social enterprises focused on creating positive community impact through their products, services and employment practices. It also enabled Prestamos to establish its first full-time TA role, marking an important step in building a dedicated support infrastructure. 

In 2021, our technical assistance efforts grew again with a partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration through the SBA-Tech program. From FY2021 to FY2024, Prestamos delivered technical support to more than 8,000 micro-entrepreneurs, providing hundreds of trainings focused on financial literacy, marketing, and business strategy. With a dedicated team of bilingual professionals, Prestamos ensures that every entrepreneur has access to the tools, mentorship and confidence needed to succeed.  

Through the SBA-Tech Program and our broader TA initiatives, Prestamos continues to remove barriers to opportunity and foster lasting economic empowerment across the communities we serve. 

PPP Impact 

When the COVID-19 pandemic struck in 2020, small businesses across our communities faced unprecedented hardship. The economic shutdowns left  business owners stuggling to cover expenses, retain employees and keep their doors open, forcing some to face bankruptcy or closure. Guided by our mission and deep commitment to community, Prestamos mobilized quickly to meet this urgent need.   

As the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) rolled out, our team worked around the clock to support business owners in need. The impact was historic. 

In 2021, CPLC Prestamos CDFI was recognized as the #1 U.S. Small Business Administration PPP lender in the nation by number of loans, and #3 lender by total dollar volume. Our team processed $7.6 billion in approved loans through the program, with an average loan amount of $15,526 — and 78% of those loans served minority-owned businesses. 

In May 2024, Prestamos CDFI was honored once again – recognized by the U.S. Small Business Administration as the Microlender of the Year for the 2023 fiscal year by the Arizona District Office. This award underscored our continuedcommitment to supporting small businesses in our community — especially those that face barriers to traditional financing, including those with limited collateral or credit challenges. 

Continuing The Journey 

Over the past 25 years, Prestamos has grown from a small Arizona-based team focused on expanding access to capital to overlooked communities, into a dynamic, multi-state organization offering capital, technical assistance, investments and long-term support to entrepreneurs across six states.  

We have witnessed firsthand how investing in small businesses creates jobs, strengthens communities and buildspathways to generational wealth.  

As we look forward to the next 25 years and beyond, we remain committed to our mission and to strengthening our role as a leader in economic development. Prestamos will continue expanding opportunity, empowering entrepreneurs and building a more equitable economic future for all. 

Uvalde Secures Final Funding for New Elementary School,
A Symbol of Healing and Hope

Préstamos CDFI, Raza Development Fund, and JPMorgan Chase Partner to Invest $24.5 Million in Rebuilding Efforts, Creating Jobs and Expanding Educational Opportunities for Uvalde’s Children

Uvalde, TX — Two and a half years after the tragic school shooting in Uvalde, TX, which claimed 22 lives and devastated the nation, the local community has secured the final funding needed to build a new, state-of-the-art elementary school for the region’s children. The new school, to be named Legacy Elementary School, will serve as a lasting symbol of resilience and hope.

This funding was made possible through a combined $24.5 million investment from Préstamos CDFI, LLC, a division of Chicanos Por La Causa (CPLC) one of the largest community development corporations in the country, and Raza Development Fund (RDF), the nation’s leading Latino-focused nonprofit lender and a support corporation to UnidosUS, the largest Latino civil rights organization in the country, and JPMorgan Chase.

“The new elementary school is not just a building—it’s a symbol of resilience, hope, empowerment, and opportunity. We are committed to the continued healing and future of the Uvalde community,” said Jose Martinez, President of Préstamos CDFI and Executive Vice President of CPLC, which is also a founding affiliate of UnidosUS. “Some of our staff were directly impacted by the tragedy, and they continue to embrace and support the local community. We are humbled to have the opportunity to create long-lasting impact through the financing of such significant projects that improve access to quality education and community resources. We are inspired by the community working together to build a new future for their children.”

Préstamos contributed $13 million, RDF provided $8 million, and JPMorgan Chase is contributing $3.5 million to support the $62 million project. All three investments were made through New Markets Tax Credits (NMTCs), a federal program designed to encourage private investment in underserved areas.

“Uvalde’s strength lies in its resilient community. Throughout this healing journey, RDF and UnidosUS have collaborated with local leaders to support rebuilding efforts,” said Janet Murguía, Raza Development Fund Board Member and UnidosUS President and CEO. “This community-led initiative to construct a new school for its students symbolizes a significant step towards healing and hope for Uvalde’s families.”

The NMTCs were critical in closing the funding gap for the new elementary school in Uvalde, where approximately 80 percent of the population is Latino. The Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District, home to Robb Elementary School, where the May 24, 2022 shooting happened, was constrained by the rural region’s limited economic resources and struggled to raise enough funds for the project. To address this challenge and prioritize the community’s healing, the Uvalde CISD Moving Forward Foundation—a nonprofit established after the shooting to ensure students and staff would not have to return to the site of the devastating events—stepped in to accelerate the process and secure the necessary funding.

“We are honored to support the Uvalde CISD Moving Forward Foundation in the development of a new school for the Uvalde, Texas, community,” said Melissa Pillars, Executive Director on the New Markets Tax Credit team at JPMorgan Chase. “We know there is still healing to do given the profound impact left by the tragedy. The collaboration of the Uvalde community has been integral to the design and vision of this new school, ensuring that this space will truly meet the needs of the students, families, and educators. We look forward to the day when this school will be a nurturing home that will foster both learning and community spirit for its students under one roof.”

The new school, which broke ground in February 2024, is designed with brain research and trauma-informed care in mind and will serve 800 students in grades 2 through 4, the majority of whom are Latino. It will focus on both academic excellence and emotional well-being, offering mental health resources, STEM classrooms, and a variety of extracurricular activities. The facility will include an academic wing, library, dining hall, gymnasium, and state-of-the-art safety features, providing a secure and supportive environment for Uvalde’s children. The project will create 350 temporary jobs during construction and retain 118 permanent jobs once the school opens in the Fall of 2025.

“We are excited and hopeful about the potential for Legacy Elementary and the hope it brings to Uvalde. Our community has been through so much and this new school is representative of all the love and support we have received from around the country and around the world,” said Natalia Arias, Co-Chair of the Uvalde CISD Community Advisory Committee and a parent at the local school. “Our students deserve to be in school— safe, happy, and learning every day and we are so excited to see what the future hold for the children of Uvalde thanks to the generosity of others.”

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About Prestamos CDFI, LLC
Prestamos CDFI is a Community Development Financial Institution and a Community Development Entity that provides small business loans and high-quality technical support services to its clients. Prestamos partners with the most recognized organizations in our target market including the CDFI Fund, U.S. Small Business Administration, National Association for Latino Asset Builders, SCORE, and State, County and Local Economic Development Authorities. Prestamos CDFI is an equal opportunity provider.

About Raza Development Fund:
Raza Development Fund (RDF) is the largest national, Latino-focused nonprofit Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI). Driven by a mission to close wealth and opportunity gaps in Latino and other under-resourced communities across the United States, RDF provides responsible and attainable financial solutions to community-based organizations focused on health, education, affordable housing, climate resilience, homeownership, and entrepreneurship. RDF was founded in 1999 as a support organization to UnidosUS, the nation’s largest Hispanic civil rights and advocacy nonprofit, formerly known as the National Council of La Raza. As a testament to its exceptional financial strength and impact, RDF stands out as one of the few CDFIs with a prestigious AA- S&P rating. Since its inception, RDF has invested more than $1.5 billion across 38 states and Puerto Rico leveraging over $6 billion in additional capital.

Prestamos CDFI is proud to partner with states across the U.S. to help ease the path for business owners to access affordable capital.
Funds are targeted to Arizona small businesses or nonprofits. Must use loan proceeds for eligible business purposes.

Learn more about our funding options

Lenders typically assess a company’s financial health and stability before approving a loan, and tax-related information provides valuable insights into the financial standing of the business. Here are some ways in which business taxes are important in the loan application process:

1. Income Verification/Cash Flow Analysis: Tax returns help to verify the income of the business and to analyze the Cash Flow of the business. This helps them assess the ability of the business to generate consistent revenue, which is crucial for loan repayment.

2. Debt-to-Income Ratio: Business tax returns provide information about the company’s debt obligations. Lenders use this information to calculate the debt-to-income ratio, which is an important factor in determining the business’s capacity to take on additional debt.

3. Risk Assessment: Business taxes can reveal the financial risks associated with the business. Lenders assess the consistency of income, potential tax liabilities, and any outstanding tax issues that may affect the financial stability of the business.

4. Legal and Regulatory Compliance: Lenders want to ensure that the business is in compliance with tax laws and regulations. Non-compliance can signal financial instability and may impact the approval of a loan. Let me also add that most lenders will need a filed Tax Return instead of an Extension.

5. Documentation for Small Businesses: For small businesses, especially those without extensive financial statements, tax returns serve as crucial financial documentation. They provide a comprehensive overview of the business’s financial performance.

IMPORTANT NOTE: TYPICALLY, WHEN APPLYING FOR A SMALL BUSINESS LOAN ALL LENDERS WILL ASK FOR THE MOST CURRENT 3 YEARS OF TAX RETURNS. HAVING THESE ON FILE IS A “BEST PRACTICE.”

In summary, business taxes are essential for lenders to assess the financial health, creditworthiness, and risk associated with a business. Providing accurate and up-to-date tax information can enhance the chances of loan approval and influence the terms and conditions of the loan.