Frequently Asked Questions
Got questions about our loans or programs? Start with these FAQs to get the answers you need.
Pacific Community Ventures supports small business owners with affordable loans to help sustain or scale their operations. To qualify for a loan, your business must meet the following required criteria:
- Your business must be located in California
- You’ve been in operation for at least 12 months
- Your business is currently generating revenue
Additional Information:
- There is no minimum credit score requirement
- PCV supports business owners who have had challenges getting traditional loans
- PCV does not offer loans to the following businesses
- Rideshare (Uber, Lyft, DoorDash, etc.)
- Cannabis/Marijuana-related businesses
- Start-up businesses that have been operating for less than 1 year
If you meet the required criteria, PCV welcomes the opportunity to work with you, review your application, and help you access the capital you need for your business. Need more information?
Pacific Community Ventures provides flexible and affordable small business loans from $10,000 to $500,000. The goal is to help you sustain a business that has a lasting impact on your community.
You can use your loan for:
- Working capital to manage daily operations
- Purchasing inventory or supplies
- Buying or repairing machinery and equipment
- Expanding, renovating, or building your business space
- Acquiring an existing business
- Environmentally focused programs
PCV works with California business owners who want to grow responsibly and strengthen their long-term financial and operational stability. Ready to explore your options?
Pacific Community Ventures’ loan terms are designed to be supportive of your business goals. Here’s what to expect.
Loan Terms:
- Terms range from 1 to 7 years
- No penalties for early repayment
- All loans are fully amortized
- Payments are made through automatic withdrawal (ACH)
Interest Rates:
- Fixed rates between 5% and 8.75%, depending on the loan product, amount, and credit factors
Fees:
- A loan fee of 1% to 5% is charged at closing
PCV sets clear terms, so that you always know what to expect and can plan for long-term success. Want more details about which loan fits your needs?
No. However, Pacific Community Ventures requires a personal guarantee from anyone who owns 20% or more of the business. This helps ensure shared responsibility, supporting the sustainability of our lending programs.
We also review credit for each owner with 20% or more ownership, but we do not have a minimum credit score requirement.
PCV’s goal is to make lending more accessible while protecting the resilience of our borrowers and their businesses. Want to learn more about the application process?
Visit our loan application to get started.
IMPORTANT: Loans will be arranged or made pursuant to a California Finance Lenders Law License.
When you apply for a loan, Pacific Community Ventures will ask for documents that help us understand your business’ financial state. These materials allow us to make fair, informed decisions to support your long-term business capital goals.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- Business tax returns – Shows your income and how your business has performed over time.
- Profit and loss statement – Gives us a snapshot of your current financial activity.
- Last three months of business bank statements – Helps us understand your cash flow and spending patterns.
- Business debt schedule – Lists any other loans or debts, which we use to calculate repayment ability.
- Personal tax returns – Helps us see your full financial situation and any other income sources.
- Credit authorization – Allows us to review your credit history. We focus on consistent repayment and progress, not on a perfect score.
Having these documents ready makes the process smoother and ensures we can move forward quickly. Ready to begin? Start with the Initial Eligibility Criteria form.
IMPORTANT: Loans will be arranged or made pursuant to a California Finance Lenders Law License
Applying for a Pacific Community Ventures loan is simple and secure. The process is designed to help you move forward with confidence and sustain your business with the support you need. Here’s what to expect.
Step 1: Pre-Apply
Start by filling out a short initial eligibility criteria pre-application. Tell us a few details about yourself and your business. If you meet our basic criteria, you’ll get an email with a link to our loan platform, Lenderfit. Use that link to create your account.
If you don’t see the email, check your junk folder. You can also contact us at lending@pcvmail.org if you need help.
Step 2: Review
Once you log in, you’ll see a checklist that walks you through what’s needed. Upload your documents and complete the first items on the list. Our team will review and quickly let you know if you’re eligible to move forward. You can message us directly through Lenderfit if you have any questions.
Step 3: Submit
If you’re eligible, we’ll ask for the following.
- Up to two years of business tax returns
- A year-to-date profit and loss statement
- Three months of business bank statements
- A company debt schedule, if applicable
We’ll also check the credit of anyone owning 20% or more of the business. There’s no minimum credit score, and we look at your overall financial story, not just a number.
Step 4: PCV Decision
We usually make a decision within three business days after reviewing your materials. If approved, we’ll guide you through the final steps to close your loan and get your funds.
We’re here to make the process clear and accessible every step of the way.
Ready to get started? Go to our loan application to begin.
IMPORTANT: Loans will be arranged or made pursuant to a California Finance Lenders Law License.
If you lose your Lenderfit login, don’t worry. You can always get back into your account by following a few simple steps.
- Check your email for the message we sent with your personalized Lenderfit link. It may be in your junk or spam folder.
- If you still can’t find it, visit the Lenderfit login page and use the same email you registered with to reset your password.
- After you log in, your account will show your loan checklist and any next steps in the process.
If you need help, contact our team at lending@pcvmail.org. We’ll make sure you can access your account and keep your application moving.
Ready to log back in? Visit the Lenderfit login page to continue your application.
Good Jobs, Good Business helps you offer strong, resilient jobs while keeping your business sustainable. It’s a toolkit with practical guidance and resources to help you with wages, add benefits, and engage employees in ways that make sense for your business.
- Access free step-by-step tools for creating good jobs.
- Get guidance from experienced business mentors at no cost.
- Learn strategies that balance employee needs with your business goals.
Ready to find out how the Good Jobs, Good Business toolkit can build your team? Take the Prioritization Quiz to get started.
A good job is one that helps employees feel secure, supported, and able to sustain their work and life balance and responsibilities while supporting your business. Pacific Community Ventures defines a good job using five dimensions. Jobs that meet at least three of the following attributes are considered good jobs:
- A Living Wage – Most employees earn enough to support a single working parent with one child.
- Basic Benefits – Includes at least two weeks of paid leave, employer-subsidized health insurance, or a retirement plan for all full-time employees.
- Career-Building Opportunities – Includes at least 12 hours of training, funding for credentials, or promotions filled internally.
- Wealth-Building Opportunities – Offers retirement employer match contributions, employee ownership, or profit-sharing.
- Fair and Engaging Workplace – Provides schedules at least two weeks in advance and/or regular performance reviews.
Ready to learn how to create good jobs for your team and sustain a resilient business? Explore our Good Job, Good Business toolkit.
Pacific Community Ventures helps small businesses sustain growth by encouraging good jobs that retain employees and strengthen operations. Your loan includes financial incentives when you adopt ‘good jobs’ practices.
Here’s how it works:
- Toolkit and Guidance – You receive the Good Jobs, Good Business toolkit and a free advisor to help balance employee needs with business goals.
- Survey Submission Reward – Submit your response to PCV’s Annual Impact Survey and receive an honorarium for timely completion.
- Loan-Specific Bonuses – You earn payments for improvements in ‘good jobs’ areas. For loans $50,000–$250,000, earn $750 per attribute adopted. For loans $10,000–$50,000, earn $300 per attribute adopted.
Ready to use these tools to create good jobs and grow your business? Explore the benefits of Good Jobs.
If your loan application isn’t approved, Pacific Community Ventures will still help you sustain and grow your business. We want to see you succeed, so we’ll connect you to options and guidance.
Here are a few offerings:
- Referrals to Lenders – We can refer you to partner banks, credit unions, or community lenders who may be able to provide funding.
- Free Business Advice – You’ll be matched with a business mentor to help strengthen your operations and position your company for future loan eligibility.
- Ongoing Support – Even without a loan, our team is here to guide you on building your business
Ready to determine your business needs and how PCV can help? Start with a free mentor.