Lending
Expand your impact with our affordable loans.
Hemphill Community Center
Neon, KY
The Mountain Association finances business and organizations that produce positive outcomes for people and places.
We are a Community Development Financial Institution and a non-profit—not a bank. This means we can offer greater flexibility and lend to folks who may not otherwise qualify with a traditional lender.
Whether you are just getting started with your business idea, or you are an established business or non-profit needing a loan to expand your impact, we can find the right kind of affordable financing for you. Our Business Support program can also pay for all or a portion of a consulting project to help your business or organization succeed.
Flexible options for your needs
Our lending specialists will help you find a financial solution that fits your business.
- Cut your energy bill with a loan to invest in energy upgrades
- Turn your passion into a successful career through a small business loan
- Along with your loan, get free support from an expert consultant to help you market your business or make your business more efficient
“With access to a small loan and support, my business was able to stand on its feet. I am where I am today because of the Mountain Association.”
Cynthia Main
Sunhouse Craft
Berea, KY

Here are some things we consider:
- Capacity to repay the loan
- Relevant experience
- Appropriate collateral
- Personal guarantees by business owner
- Basic business plan with projections and/or historical financial information

Grow
Apply for a loan.
Loans range from $1,000 to over $1 million. Interest rates typically range from 5% to 7.75% with flexible terms. For loans specifically for solar installations, we offer 4% fixed interest with 20 year terms.
Decisions for loans under $50,000 are typically made within two to 10 business days, once we have all the information we need.
Success Stories
Learn how folks are starting, expanding, and improving their small businesses and organizations through our flexible lending opportunities.
Faith, Trust, & A Little Dust Bakery – Prestonsburg, Kentucky
Read Faith, Trust, & A Little Dust Bakery – Prestonsburg, Kentucky
Solar-Powered Donuts & Groceries in Hazard, Kentucky
You & Me, Coffee & Tea – Corbin, Kentucky
Goose Bridle Coffee – Grayson, Kentucky
That’s Sew You – Stanton, Kentucky
Noodle Nirvana – Berea, Kentucky
Frequently Asked Questions
Who does the Mountain Association serve?
The Mountain Association supports small business owners, nonprofit leaders and local governments with loans, as well as a variety of other services, including business support and energy services. We serve the 54 Appalachian counties of Kentucky, and we have offices in Berea, Paintsville, and Hazard.
Because we are a Community Development Financial Institution and a non-profit – not a bank – we can lend to those who would not be able to get a business loan with a traditional lender. Unlike most lenders, we offer flexible payment schedules, and we can pay for all or a portion of a project to help your business or organization succeed – from website development to professional photography, and more. Our energy team can also help facilitate energy efficiency upgrades and renewable energy installations in order for you to save money on utility bills.
Does the Mountain Association provide grants or personal loans?
We do not offer grants or personal loans. We only provide loans for businesses or organizations.
What are your interest rates, terms and collateral?
Interest rates vary, and are based on a risk assessment of each loan as it’s considered. Our loans range from $1,000 to 1,000,000 and up. Interest rates typically range from 5 to 7.75% with flexible terms, depending on the loan purpose, amount and type of business. Please note for loans specifically for solar installations, we offer 4% fixed interest with up to a 20 year term.
Terms range from one to 20 years, depending on use of proceeds. Loans are collateralized and usually require personal guarantees and/or key person insurance.
What factors do you consider when deciding whether or not to make a loan?
We consider the community impact, repayment risk, type of business, experience of the entrepreneur, credit score of the owners, and purpose of the loan. If the business is just getting started, we consider the business idea. If the business is an existing business, we consider the business history.
What is the timeframe for approval of loans?
Once we have all the information we need, decisions for loans under $50,000 are typically made within 2-10 business days. Larger loans have a longer processing time as loans larger than $50,000 must be approved by our loan committee. For these larger loans, after we have received your application and all of the necessary information, a staff member will create the loan proposal and present it to the committee. (The committee generally meets monthly. It can take up to as long as six weeks to get an answer on an approval or denial for these larger loans.)
Please note that due to heavy demand during COVID-19, the loan approval process may take longer than normal.
As a nonprofit, why do you charge an interest rate?
We charge an interest rate to help cover our costs, which can include individual coaching and consulting to clients, salaries, overhead, and the interest we must pay on the borrowed money that we re-lend.
What do I need to provide to apply for a loan?
The information we need varies depending on the size of the loan and the length of time the business has existed. At a minimum, we need the completed and signed loan application and the $25 loan application fee. For businesses that are just getting started, we often need a business plan. If you do not have a business plan, please find resources here to learn how to create one. For existing businesses, we often need financials and personal income tax statements for the last three years. Feel free to contact a staff member to discuss what is needed to get started on your loan.
If I have a low credit score, can I get a loan from the Mountain Association?
Many of our borrowers have credit scores that disqualify them from getting a traditional bank loan. We look at a variety of factors when deciding on a loan. Though we consider credit score, we also consider your experience as a business owner or entrepreneur, community impact, what you are investing in the business, the business’ financials (if an existing business) and projections, purpose of the loan, and risk. Additionally, we have an option for using your ability to crowdfund as the main criteria for approval. Through these “CrowdMatch Loans,” a credit check is not required.
I have never applied for a business loan and am just getting started with my idea. How can I compare lenders or find other resources?
Venturize is a nonprofit that offers unbiased information about business lending. Their website and glossary can answer questions about different types of loans and lending institutions. You can also find more resources on our Business Support page for tips on starting your business.

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Funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.
The Mountain Association is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.