Common Capital, Inc. is a nonprofit, community development financial institution (CDFI) based in Springfield, Massachusetts. It focuses on strengthening communities by creating economic opportunities, particularly for small businesses that struggle to access mainstream capital[1][3]. ### Key Activities and Impact - Small Business Lending: Common Capital provides loans to small businesses, especially those owned by women and people of color. In FY 2023, they loaned over $2.8 million to 31 entrepreneurs, marking a 28% increase from the previous year[2]. - Business Assistance: The organization offers free training and education to borrowers, focusing on financial management, marketing, and human resources. In FY 2023, they delivered over 4,200 hours of training[2]. - Community Focus: Common Capital targets businesses in low-to-moderate income areas and those owned by individuals with similar economic backgrounds. As of June 2023, their loan portfolio was $7.7 million, with significant portions supporting businesses owned by women and people of color[2]. ### Governance and Partnerships - Board Composition: The board includes members from various local organizations, such as banks, development centers, and government offices[1]. - Partnerships: Common Capital is a subsidiary of Way Finders and receives funding from the Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation (MGCC). It is also certified by the U.S. Treasury as a CDFI[3]. ### Leadership - President: Raymond Lanza-Weil leads the organization, supported by a team of professionals in lending, outreach, and business assistance[2].