We believe every person deserves access to capital and business skills.
Our Mission
Harlem Entrepreneurial Fund's mission is to serve low-income and minority populations by providing lending capital and technical assistance to facilitate small business expansion and job creation in underserved Harlem, Washington Heights, Inwood, and Bronx communities in New York City.
Our Values
We champion the success of women and minority business owners through responsive, personalized support. By listening to our community's needs, we build targeted solutions that combine flexible financing with comprehensive business resources.
Our Story
Founded in 2008 by the Harlem Commonwealth Council, the Harlem Entrepreneurial Fund (HEF) was established to break down barriers facing minority entrepreneurs in Upper Manhattan, the Bronx, and throughout New York City. HEF achieved certification as a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) from the U.S. Treasury Department in 2012 and Community Development Entity (CDE) certification in 2020.
Over our history, we've provided more than $13.1 million in financing through over 440 loans, helping to create or retain over 1,600 local jobs. With 90% of our lending disbursed to minority and women-owned businesses, HEF continues to strengthen our communities' economic foundation through both capital access and dedicated technical assistance programs that have provided over 1,000 hours of support to small businesses.