• The New York Forward Loan Fund (NYFLF) is a new economic recovery loan program aimed at supporting New York State small businesses, nonprofits and small residential landlords as they reopen as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak and NYS on PAUSE. NYFLF has been established with the goal of providing affordable working capital loans to severely impacted businesses over the coming months. Small businesses, nonprofits and small landlords who received a loan from either the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Paycheck Protection Program of greater than $50,000 or an Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) for COVID-19 of any amount, except for EIDL advance grant of up to $10,000 are not eligible to apply to NYFLF at this time.

• The New York Forward Loan Fund is a partnership led by the State of New York with funding and support from Apple Bank, BNB Bank, Evans Bank, M&T Bank, Morgan Stanley, Wells Fargo, BlackRock Charitable Fund, Citi Foundation, Ford Foundation and the Ralph C. Wilson Foundation.
• Additional support is being provided by Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) Fund Management, the Community Reinvestment Fund, USA, and Calvert Impact Capital.
• Loans will be made available through five local Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) lenders—Accion East, Community Preservation Corporation (for small residential landlords), National Development Council, Pursuit and TruFund Financial Services.

• The pre-application portal for small businesses and nonprofits will open on May 26, 2020 at Noon Eastern Daylight Time for industries and regions that have been reopened.
• The pre-application portal for small landlords who currently operating occupied residential units will open on May 26, 2020 at Noon Eastern Daylight Time for all regions.
• Participating CDFI lenders will begin reviewing pre-applications starting on June 1 for those industries and regions that are reopened.
• Pre-applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis as regions and industries are phased to reopen.

• There is an initial funding of $100 million, with 5% reserved for nonprofit organizations, 30% reserved for small landlords and 65% reserved for small businesses.

• The fund is aimed at helping small businesses, nonprofits and small residential landlords in the State of New York, targeting small businesses and nonprofits across every county and region of the state and nearly all industries.
• Small Businesses: To qualify, small businesses must employ 50 or fewer full-time equivalent (FTE) employees, have realized gross revenues of less than $5 million per year and have suffered a direct economic hardship as a result of COVID-19 related social distancing policies  and stay-at-home order that have materially impacted their operations.
• Nonprofits: To qualify, nonprofits must employ 50 or fewer full-time (FTE) employees, be a 501(c)(3) or faith-based organization providing direct services, have an annual operating budget of less than $5 million and have suffered a direct economic hardship as a result of COVID-19 related social distancing policies and stay-at-home order that have materially impacted their operations.
• Small Residential Landlords: To qualify, small residential landlords must own no more than 200 units, with no single property greater than 50 units.  Properties must be located in a low or moderate income (LMI) census tract or meet a rent test where property rents are affordable to tenants who are low or moderate income.

• Direct services are a program or activity that works directly with an intended population. The term is used to distinguish such programs from those that seek to change conditions through advocacy or public education.
• Examples include but are not limited to, daycare services, legal aid, food banks, soup kitchens, after school programs, senior services, educational programs, and clothing banks.

• Up-to-date information can be found at https://forward.ny.gov/
• Pre-applications for small businesses and nonprofits will be reviewed on a rolling basis as reopening continues. If your business is not yet eligible to reopen (i.e., you are in a later phase), you are encouraged to prepare in advance and take advantage of application preparation resources available here.  This will allow you to quickly submit your pre-application once it is announced that your industry and region is phased to reopen.
• Pre-applications for small residential landlords eligible to apply open on May 26, 2020 at Noon Eastern Daylight Time for all regions. Additional information can be found at HCR’s website.

• After you have completed and submitted the online pre-application and are deemed eligible, you will be matched with a participating CDFI lender that will review your request and contact you to start the full loan application.

• There are many free resources, including Entrepreneurship Assistance Centers (EACs) and Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs). For more information click here.

• The online pre-application should be completed and submitted by the owner of the business with the largest ownership interest. All owners with 20% ownership or more will also be required to submit financial information and provide a personal guarantee to any approved NY Forward loan.

• The online pre-application should be completed and submitted by a member of the nonprofit’s executive team.

• The New York Forward Loan Fund knows that your funding needs are urgent. All applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis, with a target of 2-3 weeks from loan application to closing. To accelerate processing of your loan, please prepare the information required in advance.
• Small Business and Nonprofits: For help with the loan application and additional resources available to entrepreneurs please click here.
• Small Landlords: Please visit HCR’s website.

• Small Businesses: Small businesses can apply for a loan in the amount of the lesser of (a) $100,000 or (b) up to 100% of average monthly revenues in any 3-month period from 2019 or first quarter of 2020.
• Nonprofits: Nonprofits can apply for a loan in the amount of the lesser of (a) $100,000 or (b) up to 100% of average monthly expenses in any 3-month from 2019 or first quarter of 2020.
• Small Landlords: Small Landlords can apply for a loan in the amount the lesser of (a) $100,000 or (b) projected reduction in 3-months’ net operating income based on actual reductions in net operating income for the month of April or May 2020.

• The New York Forward Loan Fund provides affordable loans up to $100,000 payable over 5 years with interest only payments for the first 12 months. 
• The borrower may repay the loan early without a prepayment penalty.
• The interest rate for small businesses and small landlords is 3% and for nonprofits is 2%.

• The fixed annual interest rate on the loan will be 3% for small businesses and small landlords or 2% for nonprofits.

Your monthly payments will vary based upon the amount of money you borrow.

* Interest will be simple; Principal and interest monthly payments required based on a straight-line amortization assuming full repayment at 60 months

• Proceeds are required to be used for working capital, inventory, marketing, refitting for new social distancing guidelines, operating and emergency maintenance, property taxes, utilities, rent, supplies, etc.
• Refinancing of an existing loan is not permitted.
• The loan applicant will be required to detail anticipated use of funds when they apply.

• The New York Forward Loan Fund is specifically targeted at small businesses and organizations that were not able to receive a loan from either the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) in excess of $500,000 or SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) in excess of $150,000 for COVID-19 in 2020 —with a focus on organizations that are typically underserved, underbanked or otherwise have difficulty in accessing capital.

• Eligible small businesses must be a corporation, partnership, limited liability corporation, or sole proprietorship. Each business can only apply for one loan. They must also:
  • Employ 50 or fewer full-time equivalent (FTE) employees;
  • Have gross revenues of less than $5 million per year;
  • Have not received a U.S. Small Business Administration Paycheck Protection Program of greater than $500,000 or an Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) for COVID-19 more than $150,000;
  • Have suffered a direct economic hardship as a result of COVID-19 related social distancing policies and stay-at-home order that have materially impacts their operations;
  • Been in business for at least 1 year as of the date of the application; and
  • Be located in the State of New York.

• Nonprofit must meet the following requirements:
  • Organized as 501(c)(3) or faith-based organization (cannot be for support of religious worship or activities);
  • Employ 50 or fewer full-time equivalent (FTE) employees for nonprofit;
  • Provide direct services to New Yorkers for example daycare services, legal aid, food banks, soup kitchens, after school programs, senior services, educational programs, clothing banks;
  • Have an annual operating budget of less than $5 million per year;
  • Have not received a U.S. Small Business Administration Paycheck Protection Program of greater than $500,000 or an Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) for COVID-19 for more than $150,000;
  • Have suffered a direct economic hardship as a result of COVID-19 related social distancing policies and stay-at-home order that have materially impacted their operations;
  • Been in operation for at least 1 year as of the date of loan application; and
  • Located in the State of New York.

• Small residential landlords must meet the following requirements:
  • Have no more than 200 units under ownership, and no single property greater than 50 units;
  • Properties must either be located in a low or moderate income (LMI) census tract or meet a rent test where property rents are affordable to tenants of low and moderate income;
  • Properties must have positive cash flow for a 12-month period prior to NY Forward loan request;
  • Properties must have an active forbearance agreement for their mortgage or proof that they have not missed a monthly debt service payment in the last 12 months, and/or no active mortgage;
  • Properties must be current on their property taxes through March 2020;
  • Property owners must attest that they will not evict COVID-impacted non-paying tenants;
  • Properties must be in good physical condition and be free of violations;
  • Have suffered a direct economic hardship as a result of COVID-19 related social distancing policies and stay-at-home order that have materially impacted their operations;
  • Been in business for at least 1 year as of the date of loan application; and
  • Located in the State of New York.

• Participating CDFI lenders are responsible for making their own credit decisions. Due to a limited amount of funding and the high volume of requests expected, your business type, geography and industry may factor into your ability to receive a loan.

• The main office or headquarters for your business must be in New York State to qualify.
• The loans must be used to support only New York State operations.

• As part of the application, the loan applicant must provide the following documentation:
  • Most recently filed tax returns, if available and required by the lender; if not available, internally generated financial statements or other documentation used to determine cash flows;
  • Schedule of ownership (name, address, Social Security number, phone number, email, percentage ownership, photo ID for any owners with more than 20% ownership);
  • Executed Attestation Form (to be provided by lender);
  • Brief description of COVID-19 impacts on jobs and revenues;
  • Evidence of legal formation of business entity (Articles of Incorporations and/or Bylaws); and
  • Personal Credit Report (if applicable).
• A participating lender will reach out to the loan applicant to collect the required documentation, conduct any credit checks, and finalize the application review process.

• As part of the application, the loan applicant must provide the following documentation:
  • Most recent audited or reviewed financial statements, as applicable, and most recent internal financial statements, if available;
  • Most recently filed IRS Form 990;
  • Proof of IRS nonprofit status,
  • Evidence of legal formation of nonprofit entity (Articles of Incorporations and/or Bylaws);
  • Executed Attestation Form (to be provided by lender);
  • Information of the nonprofit’s executive team member signing (name, address, Social Security number, phone number, email, photo ID);
  • Brief description of COVID-19 impacts on jobs and revenues; and
  • Nonprofit board approval and resolution.
• A participating lender will reach out to the loan applicant to collect the required documentation, conduct any credit checks, and finalize the application review process.

• As part of the application, the loan applicant must provide the following documentation:
  • Most recently filed tax returns, if available and required by the lender;
  • 2019 Income and Expense statement;
  • Property Rent Roll showing economic impact;
  • Schedule of ownership (name, address, Social Security number, phone number, email, percentage ownership, photo ID for any owners with more than 20% ownership);
  • Executed Attestation Form (to be provided by lender);
  • Hardship Letter specifying COVID-19 impacts on jobs and revenues;
  • Forbearance Disclosure Statement;
  • Evidence of legal formation of business entity (Articles of Incorporations and/or Bylaws); and
  • Personal Credit Report (if applicable).
• A participating lender will reach out to the loan applicant to collect the required documentation, conduct any credit checks, and finalize the application review process.

• The following businesses are not currently eligible for a loan from the Fund: corporate-owned franchises, not-for-profit social clubs, branch banks, pay day loan stores, pawn shops, astrology, palm reading, liquor stores, night clubs, adult bookstores, massage parlors, strip clubs, track waging facilities, trailer-storage yards, and marijuana dispensaries.

• The online loan process is highly secure. The NYFLF platform goes above and beyond to protect your sensitive information. The platform uses TDE (Transparent Data Encryption) in SQL (Structured Query Language), which means the data is encrypted at rest. It also encrypts the data between the app server and the database and uses TLS (Transport Layer Security), which protects communications on the internet, for form submissions. You can also be assured that none of your information will be sold.

• The online pre-application form on this site can be completed in English, Spanish, French, Russian, Chinese and Korean. CDFI partners may offer in-house support in English and Spanish. The State is working with community leaders on identifying additional language resources. If you need help with completing the form in a language other than English or Spanish, please contact an Entrepreneurship Assistance Center.

• Please complete the pre-application form here.

• To contact the team please click here and under Topic Select “Business loan assistance”.

• Pre-applications will open on May 26, 2020 at Noon Eastern Daylight Time.
• Small Businesses: Accion East, National Development Council, Pursuit and TruFund Financial Services are accepting pre-application for small businesses.
• Nonprofits: National Development Council and TruFund Financial Services are accepting pre-applications for nonprofits.
• Small Landlords: Community Preservation Corporation is accepting pre-applications for small landlords.

• There are no applications fees for the program.

• If each business is a separate legal entity, has a separate tax ID and employs 20 or fewer full-time (FTE) equivalent employees, then you can apply for each of the businesses.

• If each business is a separate entity, has a separate tax ID, and meets the respective requirements for each type of loan. 

Yes, you can apply to another participating CDFI lender if you match with multiple participating CDFI lenders.  HOWEVER, the approval parameters for participating CDFI lenders are largely identical and we ask that if you do apply to more than one lender you ONLY do so if your loan has been rejected by another lender. 

• Due to the high demand, it will be difficult to process several loan applications for the same business at the same time and it may cause a delay in processing your application.

• No, these loans are for working capital to reopen the business. These cannot be used to refinance or pay off another loan.

• No, this is not a forgivable loan. The borrower will need to pay back the loan with interest over a 5 year term.

• If you miss a payment on your loan, you will be assessed a late fee by the participating CDFI lender per their respective policies.