Awards and accomplishments

PeopleFund has established itself as an important source of capital and resources for small

businesses, nonproﬁts and startups located in our region’s low-income neighborhoods.

Loan volume has increased steadily every year since inception and there is every sign that this
growth will continue. By working to achieve both tangible community impact and sound business
practices, PeopleFund has seen remarkable success since 1995.

RECENT AWARDS

2021 – NOVOGRADAC’s 2021 Metro QLICI of The Year Award
2021 – PeopleFund will receive a $2 million EDA CARES Act Recovery Assistance grant to capitalize and administer a Revolving Loan Fund (RLF)
2021 – 2021 Guidestar Gold Seal of Transparency
2020 – PeopleFund chosen by Citi Foundation to receive funding from $15 million fund
2020 – New Markets Tax Credit Allocation
2020 – A Night for Austin beneficiary
2020 – PeopleFund chosen by Opportunity Finance Network (OFN) to receive Grow with Google Small Business Funds
2019 – New Markets Tax Credit Allocation
2019 – CDFI Fund Awardee
2019 – Financial Service Champion of the Year – Gary Lindner, awarded by the San Antonio District Office of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)
2018 – Wells Fargo Diverse Community Capital Award
2018 – Top MicroLender El Paso Award from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)
2017 – New Markets Tax Credit Allocation.
2017 – #2 SBA Community Advantage volume lender in U.S
2017 – SBA Region 6 Top Lender for Community Advantage Loans
2017 – CDFI Awardee
2016 – Outstanding Community Lending Partner by Tory Burch Foundation for loans to Texas women.
2016 – Bank of America Neighborhood Builder Award (emerging leader Amber Kani)
2016 – Special Achievement Award: #1 Community Advantage Lender in Dallas/Fort Worth from the SBA
2016 – SBA Prime award for Technical Assistance from the SBA
2016 – African American Youth Harvest Foundation Outstanding Partner Award
2016 – New Markets Tax Credit Allocation from the U.S. Department of Treasury
2015 – Corporate DiversityFIRST Award from Texas Diversity Council
2015 – SBA PRIME award for Technical Assistance from the SBA
2015 – Austin Business Journal “Best Non-Profit CEO of the Year”.
2015 – SBA Veteran Small Business Champion of the Year Award – Gary Lindner, presented by Region 6 SBA
2015 – CEO of the Year Award – Gary Lindner, presented by Austin Business Journal
2015 – Region 6 Top SBA Lender
2015 – Citi Leadership Program for Opportunity Finance Fellow – Rocio Vallejo, Director of Lending
2014 – CDFI Fund Awardee
2014 – Capital One “Above and Beyond” Award – for support of veteran entrepreneurs.
2013 – New Markets Tax Credit Allocation.
2013 – Austin Chamber AT&T Executive Leadership Award for PeopleFund CEO Gary Lindner
2012 – Deal Day Outstanding Lender Award
2011 – Envision Central Texas Community Stewardship Award Nominee
2010 – Greenlights for Nonproﬁt Success Innovation Award
2009 – Bury + Partners Innovation Award in Non-Proﬁt Category at the 9th Annual Austin
2009 – Austin Chronicle Critic’s Award: Best Loan Arrangers
2006 – Austin Business Journal Proﬁles in Power Winner awarded to PeopleFund Executive Director, Margo Weisz
2004 – National Wachovia Excellence Award from National Community Capital in recognition of our leadership on economic issues facing low-income people.
2004 – Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year awarded to PeopleFund Executive Director, Margo Weisz.
2003 – PeopleFund Executive Director, Margo Weisz awarded Austinite of the Year

6 CDFI Awards from the U.S. Department of the Treasury.
SBA Certiﬁed Microlender and 7a Community Advantage Lender
CARS Analysis rating of AA2. CARS or CDFI Assessment and Rating System is a comprehensive, third-party analysis of community development ﬁnancial institutions.