Lending
An ongoing challenge for entrepreneurs with disabilities is the lack of resources available to fund business start up and capitalize business growth needs. Recognizing that with access to capital comes the opportunity to succeed, The Abilities Fund provides a number of options for qualified entrepreneurs:
Increasing Options Microloans
Through the
Increasing Options Program, loan guarantees (security for loans) are available for qualified entrepreneurs who do not have enough collateral to secure a loan with a bank or microlenders. The Abilities Fund will work with your lender to provide a loan guarantee up to $5,000.
If you do not have a lender, with your permission we will work with our partner, Accion USA, who will lend to qualified applicants when the Abilities Fund provides a loan guarantee. For individuals whose request exceeds the amount we can guarantee, Accion USA will evaluate the loan application for full funding. For more information about loans, please contact us at
loans@abilitiesfund.org.
Please note that
business activity that includes weapons sales, real estate development, money lending or financing, multi-level marketing programs, illegal or polluting activities, or adult businesses are not eligible uses of loan funds.
Business Loans for Iowans with Disabilities
The Abilities Fund has partnered with The Iowa Able Foundation to offer flexible loans to Iowans with disabilities for the purpose of starting or expanding a business. Currently lending at 2% interest, loan requests of $500 to $10,000 are eligible for consideration. For more information and to obtain an application, please visit www.
iowaable.org or contact us at toll free 1.888.222.8943 extension 225.
Loans for Assistive Technology
Loans for assistive technology are available to individuals with disabilities in 33 states through Alternative Financing Programs. For a referral to your local Alternative Financing Program, please contact us at
info@abilitiesfund.org or visit
http://69.89.27.238/~resnaorg/AFTAP/state/RESNA.html 
