Category: Press Releases

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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…

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PeopleFund Named a Bank of America 2023 Neighborhood Builder® in Austin

The Nonprofit Will Receive $200,000 in Flexible Funding and Leadership Training to Advance Economic Mobility   AUSTIN – Today, Bank of America named PeopleFund as one of its 2023 Neighborhood Builders® award winners for their work to support entrepreneurs in Austin and throughout Texas. Through this multi-year grant funding and extensive leadership…

The Nonprofit Will Receive $200,000 in Flexible Funding and Leadership Training to Advance Economic Mobility   AUSTIN – Today, Bank of America named PeopleFund as one of its 2023 Neighborhood Builders® award winners for their work to support entrepreneurs in Austin and throughout Texas. Through this multi-year grant funding and extensive leadership…

Bank of America doubles support for Veteran Loan Fund to Aid Growth of Veteran-Led Small Businesses

Pioneering Fund to Grow to $100 million for Former Military Personnel   AUSTIN, TX – PeopleFund is honored to be one of twelve Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) announcing the expansion of the Veteran Loan Fund, with Bank of America as the lead capital investor. Bank of America is seeding a second…

Pioneering Fund to Grow to $100 million for Former Military Personnel   AUSTIN, TX – PeopleFund is honored to be one of twelve Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) announcing the expansion of the Veteran Loan Fund, with Bank of America as the lead capital investor. Bank of America is seeding a second…

PeopleFund receives historic grant from Truist Foundation

PeopleFund receives historic grant from Truist Foundation   Houston, Dec. 8, 2022 ─ Truist Foundation announced a $3.5 million grant to PeopleFund, a Texas-based Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) and nonprofit 501(c)(3) that strives to create economic opportunity and financial stability for underserved people by providing access to capital, education and other resources…

PeopleFund receives historic grant from Truist Foundation   Houston, Dec. 8, 2022 ─ Truist Foundation announced a $3.5 million grant to PeopleFund, a Texas-based Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) and nonprofit 501(c)(3) that strives to create economic opportunity and financial stability for underserved people by providing access to capital, education and other resources…

Veteran Loan Fund announces its first-year results, plans for second round of funding

The fund supporting Veteran-Owned Small Businesses expands   AUSTIN, Texas – The Veteran Loan Fund announced that in its first year of operations, its members have deployed more than $15 million across the country, helping 231 businesses create or retain close to 1,200 jobs. 60% of the business owners receiving financial and…

The fund supporting Veteran-Owned Small Businesses expands   AUSTIN, Texas – The Veteran Loan Fund announced that in its first year of operations, its members have deployed more than $15 million across the country, helping 231 businesses create or retain close to 1,200 jobs. 60% of the business owners receiving financial and…

PeopleFund announces new Chief Information and Operations Officer

PeopleFund announces new Chief Information and Operations Officer Laura Alatorre Kvalheim, accomplished fintech executive, joins Texas’ small business lender   Austin, Texas – PeopleFund is pleased to announce Laura Alatorre Kvalheim as the organization’s new Chief Information and Operations Officer. A seasoned financial services and technology executive, Ms. Kvalheim’s career includes positions…

PeopleFund announces new Chief Information and Operations Officer Laura Alatorre Kvalheim, accomplished fintech executive, joins Texas’ small business lender   Austin, Texas – PeopleFund is pleased to announce Laura Alatorre Kvalheim as the organization’s new Chief Information and Operations Officer. A seasoned financial services and technology executive, Ms. Kvalheim’s career includes positions…

$15 million Veteran Loan Fund closes its first round with support from Wells Fargo

$15 million Veteran Loan Fund closes its first round with support from Wells Fargo  Unprecedented initiative in support of veteran entrepreneurs gains momentum   AUSTIN, TEXAS – The Veteran Loan Fund announced today that it has raised $15 million in support of veteran-owned business, including seed funding from Wells Fargo. The Veteran…

$15 million Veteran Loan Fund closes its first round with support from Wells Fargo  Unprecedented initiative in support of veteran entrepreneurs gains momentum   AUSTIN, TEXAS – The Veteran Loan Fund announced today that it has raised $15 million in support of veteran-owned business, including seed funding from Wells Fargo. The Veteran…

PeopleFund Announces New Chief Financial Officer

PeopleFund announces new Chief Financial Officer Anthony Hedger, a seasoned financial executive, joins Texas’ small business lender   Austin, Texas – PeopleFund is pleased to announce Anthony Hedger as the organization’s new Chief Financial Officer. A seasoned financial executive, Mr. Hedger worked for Rolls Royce maritime, Petronas, CFS Bank and Vodafone playing…

PeopleFund announces new Chief Financial Officer Anthony Hedger, a seasoned financial executive, joins Texas’ small business lender   Austin, Texas – PeopleFund is pleased to announce Anthony Hedger as the organization’s new Chief Financial Officer. A seasoned financial executive, Mr. Hedger worked for Rolls Royce maritime, Petronas, CFS Bank and Vodafone playing…