Partner with Us

A Community Lender Built for Strategic Partnership

Growth Partners Arizona is a purpose-driven community lender working with financial institutions, funders, and ecosystem partners to deploy capital responsibly and at scale.

Our partnership model is designed to align capital with readiness—reducing risk, strengthening outcomes, and expanding access to financing for small businesses and nonprofits across Arizona.

Our Approach

At GPAZ, we operate with clarity, intention, and a shared commitment to meaningful impact. Through our C3 Framework, we strengthen systems, invest in growth, and build partnerships that advance sustainable, forward-looking solutions across Arizona.

Capacity

We Build with Integrity

We build strong internal systems and organizational capacity grounded in accountability, data, and continuous improvement. This ensures we can scale proven approaches responsibly and deliver consistent results as demand grows.

 

Capital

We Invest with Purpose

We deploy capital intentionally—aligning financial resources with readiness, risk, and long-term sustainability. Our approach removes barriers while ensuring capital is used effectively and responsibly to support durable growth.

 

Community

We Partner for Impact

We collaborate with trusted community partners to design and deliver solutions that advance equitable economic growth. Through shared goals and accountability, we ensure our work is responsive, coordinated, and rooted in real community outcomes.

 

Why Partner with Us

Readiness-based capital deployment

Capital at GPAz is deployed based on readiness and fit—not speed. Our Financial Empowerment Framework prepares borrowers before capital is deployed, supporting stronger portfolio performance, reduced risk, and long-term sustainability.

Demonstrated Growth With financial discipline

GPAz is one of Arizona’s fastest-growing community lenders, with nearly 100% asset growth and approximately 200% growth in capital deployed since FY22—backed by strong liquidity, proactive reserves, and disciplined balance sheet management.

Community access with institutional rigor

We combine trusted, place-based community access with the financial controls, compliance, and reporting standards expected by institutional funders, regulators, and partners—ensuring capital reaches the right borrowers without compromising accountability.

Partnership Opportunities

We work alongside banks and CDFIs to expand access to capital while reducing risk and improving borrower outcomes.

Partners engage with GPAz through:

  • Co-lending and loan participations that align capital with borrower readiness and fit

  • Referral partnerships for borrowers who benefit from preparation before or alongside financing

  • CRA-aligned collaboration, including community lending, outreach, and readiness-based deployment

  • Borrower preparation pathways that strengthen pipelines and reduce friction for future lending

Our role is to complement, not compete, by preparing borrowers, deploying right-sized capital, and strengthening the broader lending ecosystem.

As a certified CDFI with growing lending capacity, GPAz actively seeks investment partners to support the expansion of our loan fund.

Investment partnerships include:

  • Loan capital investments to scale small business and nonprofit lending across Arizona

  • Program-related investments (PRIs) and mission-aligned capital

  • Bank and institutional investments aligned with CRA, impact, and sustainability goals

  • Long-term capital partnerships that support disciplined portfolio growth and deployment

Invested capital is deployed through GPAz’s Financial Empowerment Framework—ensuring loans are made based on readiness, fit, and long-term sustainability.

We partner with foundations to strengthen financial capability, support readiness, and ensure capital delivers durable impact.

Philanthropic partnerships support:

  • Program and operating grants that strengthen lending and borrower support infrastructure

  • Capital readiness and financial capability initiatives aligned with small business and nonprofit sustainability

  • Clear outcomes and accountability, tied to equity, access, and long-term performance

  • Scalable models that blend philanthropy with responsible capital deployment

Philanthropy at GPAz is catalytic—unlocking capital that works better and lasts longer.

We collaborate with community-based organizations, intermediaries, and networks to deliver services where trust already exists.

Community partnerships include:

  • Co-designed programs, workshops, and pathways aligned with local needs

  • Place-based delivery through trusted networks and shared spaces

  • Coordinated referrals and shared accountability for client outcomes

  • Clear roles and execution alignment, ensuring efficiency and impact

These partnerships ensure capital and support reach communities in ways that are accessible, relevant, and effective.

Let's Connect

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Phoenix Office | 2828 N Central Ave. Suite 1011, Phoenix, AZ 85004

info@growthpartnersaz.org