GPAz Welcomes New Executive Director – Andre T. Whittington
November 9, 2022
Growth Partners Arizona is excited to announce that Andre T. Whittington will be serving as Executive Director! Andre will work with stakeholders and clients from across the state. He is
READ MORE
Meet the Team!
April 12, 2022
Alexa, Kiva Capital Access Manager and Business Advisory, is your go-to Kiva loan expert! Kiva, a 0% interest crowdfunding loan, is a great option for small businesses and nonprofits
READ MORE
The Dunbar: Revitalizing our Communities
August 25, 2021
2020 brought the world unprecedented challenges. Among them – losing our communities as we remained home isolated from friends, family and neighbors. As we resume activities, The Dunbar Pavilion, a
READ MORE
Roberto Valdez-Beltran joins Growth Partners Arizona as Loan Program Manager
May 3, 2021
“This is an important position,” says GPAz Executive Director Lesli Pintor. “Roberto Valdez-Beltran will help increase awareness of our small business and nonprofit loan programs, building relationships with business owners
READ MORE
Affordable and flexible small business loans
February 26, 2021
Does your small business need financing but you’re not quite ready for a bank loan? Perhaps a nonprofit community lender like Growth Partners Arizona can help. Our affordable and flexible
READ MORE
Growth Partners Arizona loans benefit Dillinger Brewing Company
February 16, 2021
Eric Sipe and his business partner (and college friend) Aaron Long will open a second speakeasy-esque taproom on 4th Avenue in Tucson in 2021 with help from two Growth Partners Arizona
READ MORE
We’re hiring a Loan Program Manager!
January 19, 2021
Growth Partners Arizona is hiring a Loan Program Manager who will report to the Executive Director. The Loan Program Manager is responsible for building community relationships and sourcing new loans
READ MORE
Small Business Loan supports Block Azteca
January 15, 2021
Block Azteca owner Felipe Noperi is one of Growth Partners Arizona’s newest borrowers. The Small Business Success Loan is helping him grow his paver business, which he started in 2018
READ MORE
Frank Crump joins GPAz Board of Directors
November 13, 2020
Frank Crump is the newest member of the Growth Partners Arizona Board of Directors. He has 40+ years of senior level corporate, entrepreneurial and international experience. Most recently, he is
READ MORE
Kiva Tucson Gift Guide 2020
November 25, 2020
The new Kiva Tucson Gift Guide is out! Kiva Tucson invites you to support local businesses during this holiday season. Check out our gift guide to find fresh ideas for
READ MORE
Kiva Tucson: Food Truck offers the tastes of Puebla, Mexico
November 12, 2020
A distinctive mole sauce is one of the many delicious items on Analy and Leobardo Guzman’s food truck menu. Her mom Maria Antonieta makes it regularly in Puebla, Mexico, and
READ MORE
Kiva Tucson: Berry Best Phlebotomy Training Academy
October 5, 2020
Kelly Ellsberry started Mobile Medical Services 3.5 years ago and is now opening a second business with a loan from Kiva Tucson, the Berry Best Phlebotomy Training Academy. She has
READ MORE
Small Business Loan supports Tacos Apson
August 4, 2020
Yazmin & Francisco Aldecoa-Durazo are opening a 2nd Tacos Apson August 2020 in northwest Tucson. They’ve been in business for 20 years at their 1st location near I-10 and 12th
READ MORE
More than a Loan: Consulting & Coaching
June 18, 2020
Consulting and coaching that helps small businesses and nonprofits ensure sustainability and, at some point if needed, qualify for traditional bank loans, is a key part of the mission of
READ MORE
Evelyn Casuga Elected Chair of GPAz Board of Directors
June 1, 2020
Certified Economic Developer Evelyn Casuga was elected Chair of the Growth Partners Arizona (GPAz) Board of Directors. Business Development Finance Corporation President Gary Molenda will continue as Vice Chair and
READ MORE
Carie Davis is Kiva Tucson’s Capital Access Manager
April 16, 2020
No-interest, no-fee, community-backed business loans from $1,000 to $15,000 are crowdfunded on Kiva’s world-wide online platform with support from local Arizona Capital Access Manager Carie Davis. Kiva is an international
READ MORE
Growth Partners Arizona expands access to loans for small businesses and nonprofits
March 18, 2020
Growth Partners Arizona has added two loan options for small businesses in Arizona—Kiva Tucson crowdfunded loans and the Small Business Success Loan. Because of the unfolding economic challenges, these two
READ MORE
National Bank of Arizona Makes CDFI Investment
March 6, 2020
National Bank of Arizona (NBAZ) generously signed an agreement for $100,000, 10-year Equity Equivalent (EQ2) CDFI investment in Growth Partners Arizona (GPAz) . EQ2 investments allow Community Development Financial Institutions
READ MORE
Judie Scalise Joins Growth Partners Arizona Board of Directors
March 6, 2020
As Founder and Principal of ESI Corporation, Judie Scalise specializes in economic development and pre-development planning services for government agencies, corporations, private developers, and utility companies. Prior to forming ESI
READ MORE
Cash Flow Loan Helps Theatre Renovate New Campus
February 16, 2020
Congratulations to Live Theatre Workshop! After renting for more than two decades in the same location, renovations of a new campus are underway and the Tucson-based nonprofit arts organization will
READ MORE
“With a clear path for re-payment, taking out a loan made the most sense for the market.”
October 9, 2019
Who doesn’t love more shade in Tucson? A loan from Growth Partners Arizona means the nonprofit Heirloom Farmers Markets (HFM) can quickly add 25% more shade at their Rillito River Park
READ MORE
Every business decision is a financial decision.
September 9, 2019
Think way ahead, be strategic about managing cash flow, and understand the power of properly structured debt as a financial tool to achieve nonprofit and for-profit business goals. When
READ MORE
Bridge Loan Meet Needs of Nonprofit
September 6, 2019
Funding from a major university was slower than anticipated, but soon will be available to Kore Press Institute. Growth Partners Arizona provided a bridge loan to help Kore with cash
READ MORE
Debt financing can be a way to achieve financial stability and sustainability.
August 16, 2019
Many nonprofit leaders and boards are uncomfortable with the thought of borrowing money, but properly structured and utilized debt can be a tool to achieving an organization’s strategic goals. A
READ MORE
Homeless Veterans will have more options
June 19, 2019
50,000 veterans are homeless every night, according to Esperanza En Escalante. The nonprofit is doing something about that by providing transitional and permanent housing for homeless veterans and their families.
READ MORE
New Name, New Director, Expanded Mission
May 10, 2019
The six-year-old Nonprofit Loan Fund of Tucson and Southern Arizona (NPLF) is now Growth Partners Arizona (GPAz). The organization is expanding its service area statewide and planning to add lending to businesses in distressed communities, in addition to retaining its core focus on nonprofit lending.
Indigenous Human Rights Organization Moves HQ to Tucson
October 15, 2018
The International Indian Treaty Council (IITC) owns its own office building for the first time in the organization’s 44-year history thanks to generous donors and an NPLF loan. The new Tucson headquarters is on Ajo Way, across from the VA Hospital complex.
They Had Done Their Homework
August 31, 2018
Board approval, check. Engineering plans, check. Capital Campaign, check. Loan arranged, check…until, through no fault of Open Doors Community School, the loan fell through. At the suggestion of a school
READ MORE
Search for New Executive Director
August 6, 2018
This is an opportunity for an entrepreneurial professional to develop the Nonprofit Loan Fund of Tucson and Southern Arizona—a small but growing Certified Development Financial Institution (CDFI)—into an economic development powerhouse.
It was a Calculated Risk
May 16, 2018
Arizona Theatre Company Managing Director Billy Russo wanted the 50th anniversary to invigorate and draw the community to the theatre.
Get Your Fix Off Route 86
February 19, 2018
Take Route 86 west from Tucson for 124 miles and you’ll come to a fork in the road. Turn left for Rocky Point, Mexico. Turn right for Ajo, Arizona.
Doing Well by Doing Good
December 28, 2017
Many people with disabilities are unemployed, and many of them want to work. In the past year, Beacon Group provided 1,600 people with the support they needed to successfully join the labor force.
CFSA Invests for Impact
October 4, 2017
When making a difference in a new way is important to you, knock on the door of a community foundation. That’s what Helaine Levy did when she wanted nonprofits in Southern Arizona to have access to loan capital that would increase their impact in our community.
Loan Fund Director, 3 Borrowers to Present at AFP Oct. 13
September 27, 2017
Financially Robust Nonprofits: How Successful Organizations are Diversifying Resources. In today’s market, nonprofit organizations are looking for ways to diversify revenue, understanding the connection between unearned (donated) and earned revenue.
Fast Action Leads to Creative Gift
August 24, 2017
Curtis Thornhill, a philanthropist from Utah with roots in Tucson, was making a significant contribution to the Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation, giving half in cash upfront but deferring the balance until a later date.
Coveted CDFI Certification Received
August 14, 2017
The U.S. Department of the Treasury recently recognized the Nonprofit Loan Fund of Tucson and Southern Arizona (NPLF), a Supporting Organization of the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona (CFSA), as
READ MORE
Learning & Growing in the Heart of Downtown
July 21, 2017
When you take a walk in downtown Tucson with Carrie Brennan, you’re likely to stop often and talk to people she either knows or is interested in meeting: students, parents, teachers,
Nearly 12,000 Pounds of Organic Popcorn and Growing
June 20, 2017
Hundreds of thousands of Tucsonans of all ages traveled around the world via films from 62 countries shown at The Loft Cinema last year. They consumed 11,600 pounds of organic popcorn too.
Maura Grogan interviewed for new podcast
May 9, 2017
Our thanks to Smith & Dale, LLC partners Deborah Dale and Angie Smith for their interview with NPLF Director Maura Grogan.
A Safe, Affordable Home of Her Own
April 18, 2017
Nobody plans on becoming a single mother of two young children and having to move back in with her parents. But when it happened to Melanie, a college graduate and teacher, she assumed she could quickly buy a home of her own.
Tucson, Meet Southwest Folklife Alliance
March 10, 2017
For nearly 45 years, Tucsonans have gathered to indulge—and sometimes overindulge—in the cultural foods that recently put our city at the forefront of a global culinary experience.
A Graceful Exit
December 22, 2016
Sometimes, despite a lot of hard work and the best of intentions, nonprofit organizations are forced to close their doors. This happened recently to one NPLF borrower,
Houses & Hope for Homeless Veterans
October 31, 2016
Tucked into a quiet neighborhood east of Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, dozens of homeless veterans are about to finally feel at home.
Five Join Board of Directors
October 24, 2016
Five local community leaders recently joined the of the Nonprofit Loan Fund of Tucson and Southern Arizona:
The Whole World in the Heart of Tucson
September 15, 2016
At least half of the 35+ employees of the International School of Tucson (IST) are from countries other than the U.S. and many more are well traveled.
Back to the Future with 99-year-old Startup
July 5, 2016
Still vibrant as it goes into its 100th year in 2017, the YWCA of Southern Arizona is as entrepreneurial today as it was nearly a century ago when it was the first
BizTucson Features Loan Fund
June 7, 2016
There are several reasons investors value NPLF,” said Maura Grogan, NPLF executive director.
Putting Their Money Where Their Houses Are
April 18, 2016
Providing loans as a “hand up” is core to Habitat for Humanity Tucson‘s business model, and one of the reasons Habitat Tucson is an investor in the Nonprofit Loan Fund of Tucson and Southern Arizona (NPLF).
True Concord Voices & Orchestra Wins Grammy
March 9, 2016
Board and staff of the Nonprofit Loan Fund were delighted when our borrower True Concord Voices & Orchestra won a GRAMMY last month for a composition by Stephen Paulus performed on its first internationally released album “Far in the Heavens.”
Tucson Botanical Gardens: New Visitors’ Center & Exhibits
October 8, 2015
In September 2015, Tucson Botanical Gardens (TBG) celebrated the grand opening of its new Visitors Center and exhibit Nature Connects – Art with LEGO Bricks thanks, in part,
New Board Members Announced
April 16, 2015
Inside Tucson Business: Nonprofit Loan Fund Announces New Board Members
Resources for Business Funding in Tucson
October 19, 2014
Arizona Daily Star: Resources abound for business funding in Tucson
Nonprofits Need Relief from Accountability Red Tape
April 4, 2014
Inside Tucson Business: “Nonprofits need relief from accountability red tape
Mike Hammond Talks with Bill Buckmaster
March 27, 2014
KVOI Buckmaster Show: Mike Hammond Interview with Buckmaster
New Loan Funding to Bridge Gaps
March 11, 2014
Arizona Daily Star: New loan funding program to bridge flow gaps for nonprofits