Loan Expression of Interest

Mercy Corps Northwest’s loan program offers capital up to $10,000 to help Pacific Northwest-based entrepreneurs grow their small businesses. Our goal is to help qualified borrowers land the money they need, while keeping loan terms affordable. Please follow the three-step process below to understand if you qualify. 

Previously, Mercy Corps Northwest offered loans up to $20,000; however, in November 2022 we adjusted our program to a maximum range of $10,000 to best meet the needs of the majority of our clients who seek loans in the $500-5,000 range, which we also offer to ITIN holders. 

We encourage clients who are interested in loans above $10,000 to connect with our partners at Impact NW or Craft3. Please note: All loan inquiries submitted before November 25th, 2022 will still be assessed for a loan of up to $20,000.
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Step 1: Complete Expression of Interest
Fill out the survey below to see if you qualify for a loan.

Step 2: Connect with Our Loan Team 
Our loan team will review your responses and contact you directly to discuss your funding needs, determine if a Mercy Corps microloan is right for you, and provide you with a loan application. 

Step 3: Apply for a Loan
If you choose to move forward, you will then prepare and submit your application. Once we have received a complete application along with all requested documents, you can anticipate a decision on funding within 30 days. If your loan is approved, we will schedule a signing with you. Funds are generally deposited within two weeks of signing.

Si necesita ayuda en español para completar este formulario, comuníquese con nosotros a loans.mcnw@mercycorps.org.

Если вам нужна помощь в заполнении этой формы на арабском языке, свяжитесь с нами по адресу: loans.mcnw@mercycorps.org.

للمساعدة باللغة العربية في إملاء هذا النموذج، يُرجى الاتصال بنا على: loans.mcnw@mercycorps.org

What county is your business located in?

If you are in the idea or launch stage, what county will your business be located in?
What county is your business located in?

If you are in the idea or launch stage, what county will your business be located in?


Unfortunately, it looks like you do not qualify under the guidelines of Mercy Corps Northwest's loan program. We cannot underwrite loans to anyone under 18 years of age or outside of Oregon or Washington. Mercy Corps is only chartered to lend to small businesses in the listed counties. For businesses in other counties we recommend reaching out to other providers, such as Business Impact NW.

If you have additional questions or would like to discuss this matter further, please contact us at loans.mcnw@mercycorps.org.

Please let us know if any of the following statements apply:

At Mercy Corps Northwest we are unable to provide financing for applicants who have:

  • Declared bankruptcy within the previous 12 month period.
  • Unpaid collection accounts, unless there is a written repayment plan in place for at least 6 months.
  • Unpaid judgments, unless there is a written repayment plan in place for at least 6 months
  • Unpaid tax liens, unless there is a written repayment plan in place for at least 6 months.
  • Current late payments or delinquencies on their accounts.
  • Past due child support.


However, we do offer training and advising for credit related issues.

Here are some helpful resources to consider:

  1. Sign up for credit counseling through MCNW to find out exactly where your credit stands.  You'll get a copy of your credit report and learn more about next steps for your situation.
  2. Use this link to learn more about how credit works and some helpful tips on how to improve your score.
  3. Find out more about our small business grants program, also called our IDA program.  It is not based upon credit and pairs valuable training with a match on the money you save.
  4. Check out our upcoming classes and events to see what may benefit your business.

If you have additional questions or would like to discuss this matter further, please contact us at (503) 896-5070 or loans.mcnw@mercycorps.org.


At Mercy Corps Northwest we are unable to provide financing for applicants who have credit scores under 550.  However, we do offer training and advising for credit related issues.

Here are some helpful resources to consider:

  1. Sign up for credit counseling through MCNW to find out exactly where your credit stands.  You'll get a copy of your credit report and learn more about next steps for your situation.
  2. Use this link to learn more about how credit works and some helpful tips on how to improve your score.
  3. Find out more about our small business grants program, also called our IDA program.  It is not based upon credit and pairs valuable training with a match on the money you save.
  4. Check out our upcoming classes and events to see what may benefit your business.

If you have additional questions or would like to discuss this matter further, please contact us at (503) 896-5070 or loans.mcnw@mercycorps.org.

Contact information


All questions are required! You will not be able to submit if you leave any blank. 

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If you are in the idea or launch phase and do not yet have a business address, please put your home address. 
Include apartment, unit, suite number, etc.
Is your home address different from your business address?
Include apartment, unit, suite number, etc.
Do you reside in a rural part of the state of Oregon?
Rural is defined as cities with less than 30,000 people or living outside the following areas: Albany, Bend, Corvallis, Eugene, Grants Pass, McMinnville, Medford, Portland Metro Area, Salem/Keizer, or Springfield.  
 
What language do you feel most comfortable communicating in?
This will be helpful in responding to your questions and processing your application.  We offer Arabic, English, and Spanish language assistance. 

Loan questions

If your business is registered with the state, please use the name listed on the business license.
Describe your industry type (example: restaurant, construction, spa, school, etc.) and what goods and/or services you provide. 
Business stage: Please select your business stage that most closely applies.

Existing business

Okay to estimate!
What is your business registered as legally?
What is your business ownership percentage?
Example - if you are a woman sole proprietor enter '100'.
If you have a partnership with one woman and one man enter '50'.
This can be based on your most recent tax forms, if filed, otherwise estimate if necessary. Enter total $ amount.
Include both part and full-time employees.
This can be based on your most recent tax forms, if filed, otherwise estimate if necessary. Enter total $ amount. 

Can be a negative number.
You can also list other small business ownership experience here.
What are you trying to accomplish with this loan?
Mercy Corps Northwest is a microlender. Our maximum loan amount is $10,000.
What is the purpose of your loan? Please check all that apply.
For the categories you selected above, please break down your funding need by category and costs associated. For example: Work vehicle- $10,000, Equipment- $7,500, Working capital- $15,000, etc. 

If you selected "other", please describe in more detail.
If yes, please describe the sources and amounts. 
Describe sources of income that can be used to make loan payments. 

Sources of income can include business revenue, wages from outside employment, Social Security benefits, Social Security Disability, rental income, unemployment, pension/retirement/annuities/401ks/IRAs, military benefits, dividends or interest from stocks and bonds, workers compensation, etc.

Demographic information

At Mercy Corps Northwest we encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply for our programs but particularly welcome people from traditionally underserved/undercapitalized populations such as those who identify as women and minorities, LGBTQ+, those with disabilities, veterans, etc. 

All data and information collected will remain anonymous and confidential. We aggregate data to report trends and analyze performance, but there is no personal data associated with these reports. 

Your answers will not impact your ability to participate in MCNW services.
If you heard about the loan program from another organization or source not listed, please specify. 
Do you consider yourself an economically disadvantaged individual (per the definition below)?
Economically disadvantaged individuals are individuals who have experienced difficulties in competing in the business world because of their identity as members of a specific group. It could also be because of their financial situation. 

These groups could be, but are not limited to, racial, ethnic, gender, or disability groups. 
 
Do you speak a language other than English at home?
Which language do you speak at home?
Household definition: all individuals who share the space they use for eating and living together and share financial dependency. Include yourself.
Household income: refers to annual gross income for all adult members of the household.

Household income includes monthly gross salary or wages, self-employment income (owner’s draw), general assistance (food stamps, SNAP, TANF), SSI or SSDI (Social Security Benefits), unemployment compensation (UI, COVID or PUA), retirement income (Pension/401ks/Annuities/IRAs), investment income, child support/alimony, dependent benefits.
MM/DD/YYYY
Do you identify as a person with a disability?
Are you a veteran?
Are you a member of a federally recognized tribe?
What is your United States residency status?
Do you identify as LGBTQ+?
Have you ever been incarcerated?
Because Mercy Corps Northwest is a federally-funded non-profit, we are required to report the following demographic information for our small business clients. Thank you for taking the time to complete the following questions.
Gender
Are you Hispanic?
Race
Race or ethnicity (select all that apply)
Mercy Corps Northwest also offers training for small businesses. Would you like to find out more about these programs?
Mercy Corps Northwest Smart Advice Newsletter
I request business consulting or training services from the SBA or an SBA resource partner. I agree to cooperate should I be selected to participate in a short survey designed to evaluate SBA services.
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