Ever feel like you’re navigating a maze when it comes to finding the right funding for your business?
You’re not alone.
All too often, entrepreneurs, especially those building businesses rooted in community and values, hit a wall trying to access capital that aligns with their mission. This spring, Mission Driven Finance, along with fellow capital providers and visionary entrepreneurs, gathered for Trading at the Bay* in Oakland, CA, to flip the script on conventional funding conversations. We explored how to find capital that fits your goals, respects your values, and empowers you to own your power in the funding journey.
A beautiful day for connection on the sunny side of the Bay (photo credit Irwin Lewis)
Some key takeaways:
Getting funding can feel intimidating, but remember, you bring value to the table.
“I need $10k to buy X machine, which will let me produce Y more units that customers are asking for, but I can’t deliver with our current setup.”
Think of funding types like different tools—use the right one for the job.
Funder panel (L–R): Gaspar Magallanes, Yisroel Quint, Nicole Johnny, Lauren Grattan (photo credit Irwin Lewis)
Best for: Specific projects, getting started, sometimes including research and development, and community impact work
Where to look:
Keep in mind: Grant hunting, writing applications, and reporting take time and effort. Make sure the “juice is worth the squeeze” when assessing a grant opportunity. View foundation “ratings” by current and former grantees to learn more about what specific foundations expect: grantadvisor.org
Focus on building relationships. As Yisroel Quint said (quoting his mentor Paula Morris),
“If you want money, ask for advice. If you want advice, ask for money.” Funders often want to offer more than just cash.
They can have a different view on the landscape and make connections with other resources.
Best for: Buying inventory or equipment, covering operations during growth, and managing cash flow
Where to look:
Watch out for merchant cash advances. They promise fast cash but often come with very high costs and tough terms. The speed can be tempting, but read the fine print carefully.
Get organized. Have your financial info ready before you talk to lenders. This includes both historical financials (at least last year’s info) and future projections. If you need help putting these together, see the technical assistance resources.
Talk to your lender. If your business hits a rough patch or you think you might miss a payment, let your lender know ASAP. Most want to help you figure it out. Don’t ghost them.
Gut check: Does the lender keep their promises during the application process? That may show how they’ll act later.
Be strategic: Will this loan actually help you reach your business goals? Don’t take on debt just because you can.
Best for: Major scaling and growth when you need more capital than a loan
What it is: Selling a percentage of your company—the investor becomes a part owner
It’s a commitment: Think long-term partnership—an investment cycle often lasts eight years or more (“not unlike the average American marriage”)
Consider:
Look for:
“Some investors, like Raven Indigenous Capital Partners, explore options like helping founders sell ownership back to their Tribe (like Eighth Generation did).” — Nicole Johnny
Do your homework. Ask for references, talk to other founders in their portfolio, and ask tough questions upfront
Every entrepreneur faces challenges—those “valley of death” moments when cash is tight. It can go against your instincts to be vulnerable about your business, but connecting with others who have walked similar paths can help.
Entrepreneur panel (L–R): Liz Perez, April McGill, Joey Montoya, Risa Blumlein Keeper (photo credit Irwin Lewis)
Joey Montoya (Urban Native Era) “bootstrapped” for eight years—not taking outside money to grow—and constantly tweaked designs and focused on his brand story before landing a huge deal with outdoor retailer REI.
April McGill (American Indian Cultural Center) navigated the ups and downs of government grant cycles, always “chasing money” but staying focused on uplifting artists.
Liz Perez (GC Green) started her business out of fear and necessity, initially using expensive funding (18% factoring) to develop a successful track record and build relationships to get better financing terms.
Big orders:
“Use purchase orders from large clients to qualify for bridge loans or negotiate advance payments to manage cash flow.” — Joey Montoya
Know your why:
“Keep your end goal in mind—it fuels perseverance.” — Joey Montoya
Learn and adapt: Every challenge teaches you something for the next one.
“We all fail and we all get back up.” — April McGill
Your success contributes to the whole ecosystem.
The Alliance for Community Development (photo credit Irwin Lewis)
Remember:
“We all do better when we all do better.” — Paul Wellstone via Lauren Grattan
Lift each other up:
“Support other Native-owned and Tribally-owned businesses whenever you can.” — Liz Perez
Pay it forward:
“If you take out community-focused loans (like from CDFIs), being thoughtful about repayment helps ensure those funds are available for the next entrepreneur.” — Gasper Magallanes
Tap into resources: See a list below.
Before you seek funding, ask yourself:
Funding can be complex, but you don’t have to figure it out alone. If you want to explore options like the Indigenous Futures Fund, contact us at borrow@missiondrivenfinance.com.
The Mission Driven Finance team (photo credit Irwin Lewis)
We share our deepest thanks to all the panelists who shared their knowledge with us: Nicole Johnny, Gasper Magallanes, April McGill, Joey Montoya, Elizabeth Perez, and Yisroel Quint. We are grateful to our host Intertribal Friendship House, caterer Wahpepah’s Kitchen, exhibitor Urban Native Era, and event planning partner Next Street.
Thank you also to tabling partners and capital providers who showed up to engage with entrepreneurs:
*Why “Trading at the Bay”? The event was so named to acknowledge that trade, whether for goods, services, or currency, has always happened where waters meet. The Bay Area is a giant confluence of waterways where Indigenous people have conducted trade for centuries, and continue to do so today.