Category: Press Releases

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PeopleFund Joins Effort to Revitalize South Dallas’ Forest District

The initiative expands access to capital, training, and targeted support for underserved entrepreneurs. Austin, TX – October 29, 2025 – PeopleFund proudly joined Cornerstone CDC, Forest Forward, St. Philip’s School & Community Center, and various other community organizations that came together to revitalize the Forest District in South Dallas. This group will…

The initiative expands access to capital, training, and targeted support for underserved entrepreneurs. Austin, TX – October 29, 2025 – PeopleFund proudly joined Cornerstone CDC, Forest Forward, St. Philip’s School & Community Center, and various other community organizations that came together to revitalize the Forest District in South Dallas. This group will…

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First Cohort Graduates from Military-Connected Small Business Accelerator

Austin, Texas | October 21, 2025 — PeopleFund a Texas non-profit small business lender, the Veterans Business Outreach Center University of Texas at Arlington (UTAVBOC) and the Veteran Women’s Enterprise Center (VWEC), proudly announced the graduation of the inaugural Military-Connected Small Business Accelerator cohort. Nine Veteran and Military Spouses completed the program…

Austin, Texas | October 21, 2025 — PeopleFund a Texas non-profit small business lender, the Veterans Business Outreach Center University of Texas at Arlington (UTAVBOC) and the Veteran Women’s Enterprise Center (VWEC), proudly announced the graduation of the inaugural Military-Connected Small Business Accelerator cohort. Nine Veteran and Military Spouses completed the program…

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PeopleFund and McLennan County Investment Fund (McCIF) announce their consolidation.

Two CDFIs come together to better serve small businesses in Central Texas.   Austin, TX – October 1, 2025 – PeopleFund, a Texas Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) with a 30-year track record of impactful performance, and McLennan Community Investment Fund (McCIF), an emerging CDFI with deep roots in Waco and McLennan…

Two CDFIs come together to better serve small businesses in Central Texas.   Austin, TX – October 1, 2025 – PeopleFund, a Texas Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) with a 30-year track record of impactful performance, and McLennan Community Investment Fund (McCIF), an emerging CDFI with deep roots in Waco and McLennan…

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Travis County Taps PeopleFund to Lead TCTX Thrive 3.0 for Small Businesses

The program’s third iteration expands training and capital access countywide.   Austin, TX – August 5, 2025 – Travis County’s new small business support program is designed to provide comprehensive training, coaching, and increased access to capital. This initiative aims to respond to negative economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and its…

The program’s third iteration expands training and capital access countywide.   Austin, TX – August 5, 2025 – Travis County’s new small business support program is designed to provide comprehensive training, coaching, and increased access to capital. This initiative aims to respond to negative economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and its…

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First Cohort of the Military Connected Small Business Accelerator is Live

📣 Calling All Veteran and Military-Spouses Small Business Owners! PeopleFund is proud to announce that we have partnered with the University of Texas at Arlington Veteran Business Outreach Center (UTAVBOC) and the Veteran Women’s Enterprise Center (VWEC) to launch the first cohort of our Military Connected Small Business Accelerator! We are thrilled…

📣 Calling All Veteran and Military-Spouses Small Business Owners! PeopleFund is proud to announce that we have partnered with the University of Texas at Arlington Veteran Business Outreach Center (UTAVBOC) and the Veteran Women’s Enterprise Center (VWEC) to launch the first cohort of our Military Connected Small Business Accelerator! We are thrilled…

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Entre Capital and PeopleFund join forces to advance restorative justice

A partnership that unlocks second chances through entrepreneurship   Dallas, Texas, April 22, 2025 – Entre Capital and PeopleFund, two Texas Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) are proud to announce their partnership to expand access to capital for people returning from incarceration across the state. “We are so grateful for the partnership…

A partnership that unlocks second chances through entrepreneurship   Dallas, Texas, April 22, 2025 – Entre Capital and PeopleFund, two Texas Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) are proud to announce their partnership to expand access to capital for people returning from incarceration across the state. “We are so grateful for the partnership…

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Veteran Loan Fund announces its third-year results, closing of second round of funding

The fund supporting Veteran-Owned Small Businesses does it again   AUSTIN, Texas, November 11, 2024 – The Veteran Loan Fund (VLF) announced that since its launch in 2021, its members have deployed more than $77 million across the country, helping over 1,000 veteran-owned businesses create or retain close to 5,500 jobs. More…

The fund supporting Veteran-Owned Small Businesses does it again   AUSTIN, Texas, November 11, 2024 – The Veteran Loan Fund (VLF) announced that since its launch in 2021, its members have deployed more than $77 million across the country, helping over 1,000 veteran-owned businesses create or retain close to 5,500 jobs. More…

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PeopleFund President and CEO Gustavo Lasala Receives Inaugural Executive Leadership Award from Opportunity Finance Network

AUSTIN, TX, October 23, 2024 – Gustavo Lasala, President and CEO of PeopleFund, received the inaugural Executive Leadership Award from Opportunity Finance Network (OFN). This new award celebrates exceptional leadership in the Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) field, recognizing Gustavo’s dedication to driving economic growth in low-income communities. Gustavo’s leadership journey spans…

AUSTIN, TX, October 23, 2024 – Gustavo Lasala, President and CEO of PeopleFund, received the inaugural Executive Leadership Award from Opportunity Finance Network (OFN). This new award celebrates exceptional leadership in the Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) field, recognizing Gustavo’s dedication to driving economic growth in low-income communities. Gustavo’s leadership journey spans…

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PeopleFund Receives $12 Million Gift from MacKenzie Scott

Austin-Based CDFI Celebrates 30th Anniversary and $1 Billion in Direct Economic Impact with Record Fundraiser and Historic Donation   Austin, TX — September 27, 2024 — PeopleFund, a Texas-based Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), proudly announced a $12 million gift from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott through her Yield Giving initiative. The generous donation…

Austin-Based CDFI Celebrates 30th Anniversary and $1 Billion in Direct Economic Impact with Record Fundraiser and Historic Donation   Austin, TX — September 27, 2024 — PeopleFund, a Texas-based Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), proudly announced a $12 million gift from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott through her Yield Giving initiative. The generous donation…

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PeopleFund Partners with Harris County to Launch Historic Loan Fund

Groundbreaking $17 million fund for Small Businesses   Houston, TX – September 24, 2024 – PeopleFund is proud to announce its partnership with Harris County to establish and manage the Harris County Opportunity Fund, a revolving loan program designed to support small businesses. This initiative increases the access to capital for minority…

Groundbreaking $17 million fund for Small Businesses   Houston, TX – September 24, 2024 – PeopleFund is proud to announce its partnership with Harris County to establish and manage the Harris County Opportunity Fund, a revolving loan program designed to support small businesses. This initiative increases the access to capital for minority…