• Facility Loans
• Working Capital Loans
•  Equipment Loans
• New Markets Tax Credits

Facility Loans

Among the most ubiquitous and moving emblems of education in the United States is a school building: the little red schoolhouse.  But the days of the simple clapboard shack nestled away in a hillock are gone, and for good reason.  Research shows that clean, brightly lit, safe and efficient facilities are critical to providing--quite literally-- the foundation for a high quality education.  But such facilities demand significant upfront costs, whether you’re improving a leased space, making an addition to an existing building, or starting fresh from the ground up.  NFF provides loans for:

• Acquisition
• Construction, renovation and leasehold improvement
• Related soft costs, such as professional fees and permits
• Relocation costs

Find out more about our facility loans and contact a loan-intake specialist here. 

Working Capital Loans

NFF is distinct from many of its peer institutions in recognizing that it isn’t just buildings that need significant infusions of capital.  We know that the key to maintaining a healthy balance sheet is having enough working capital on hand to cover all expenses.  With the cycle of the school year, the demands of growing to meet the needs of a wider population of students  and the dependence on government contracts and other receivables, managing to the balance sheet can be tough without working capital on hand.  To that end, NFF offers loans to schools and other education-oriented organizations for:

• Bridging capital campaign receipts, grants, government contracts, and other receivables
• Covering temporary cash flow needs
• Financing up-front costs of program expansion

Review our working capital loans here, and talk to a loan intake counselor when you’re ready! 

Equipment Loans

There’s more to a school facility than just walls and a roof.  You need desks, chairs, computers, playground equipment, and, of course, all the necessary machinery to keep your staff productive and your school safe, well-ventilated and warm.  NFF provides loans to schools for all kinds of capital improvements like:

• Office machines and furniture
• Computer hardware and software
• HVAC and security systems
• Playground equipment
• Walls and fencing 

And once you’ve purchased your equipment, NFF can help you make sure you’re adequately prepared to maintain it over its usable lifespan with a Systems Replacement Plan (SRP).  Mandated for charter schools in some states, an SRP is an assessment of existing resources and a plan for maintaining them over the long haul.  Review our loan products and talk to an intake specialist when you’re ready to invest in your facilities and plan for their future. 

New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC):

As a certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), NFF has been allocated millions of dollars in tax credits to attract private investors to school and other projects.  Our growing network of investors, foundations and banks is your resource for funding new construction and building rehabilitation.  We can help structure a loan using tax credit offsets that will make your project a desirable investment for a large pool of investors.  Find out more about our NMTC work here and find out if your school project might qualify.