Washington Area Community Investment Fund, Inc. (Wacif)

08/31/2026

Every entrepreneur at WACIF is writing a story of resilience and innovation and sometimes, that story begins with recognizing an opportunity.

For Peach Cobbler Factory, that opportunity appeared while scrolling through social media. After discovering the Southern dessert franchise and learning it was expanding through franchising, they saw a chance to bring something new to the community.

Read the full story: https://hubs.la/Q04w0Jjw0

08/19/2026

APPLICATIONS CLOSE TODAY!!

Wealth and Wellness Fall 2026 is a FREE 9-part series financial wellness program for residents in the DMV that will give you the confidence you need to TRANSFORM your finances!

⌛ The deadline to apply is TODAY at midnight. Spaces are limited and applications are accepted on a first come, first-serve basis.

The WW program is offered in partnership by Latino Economic Development Center and Office of Women’s Initiatives (OWI), powered by the Washington Area Community Investment Fund, Inc.

🖱️ For more information & to apply visit: https://hubs.la/Q04mvw7P0

08/17/2026

👀 LAST CALL for applications!

Wealth and Wellness Fall 2026 is a FREE 9-part series financial wellness program for residents in the DMV that will give you the confidence you need to TRANSFORM your finances!

⌛ The deadline to apply is Wednesday, August 19 at midnight. Spaces are limited and applications are accepted on a first come, first-serve basis.

The WW program is offered in partnership by Latino Economic Development Center and Office of Women’s Initiatives (OWI), powered by the Washington Area Community Investment Fund, Inc.

🖱️ For more information & to apply visit: https://hubs.la/Q04mx4vK0

08/14/2026

Leave your mark on the future of the Anacostia Arts Center. ✨ Naming opportunities are now available throughout the renewed space, offering a meaningful way to support the artists, entrepreneurs, and community who will call AAC home.

Explore the opportunities and help bring us closer to our capital campaign goal via .

08/07/2026

With $8.7M raised toward our $10M goal, just $1.3M remains to bring the future of the Anacostia Arts Center to life.

Every gift brings us closer to opening the doors to a renewed space where Anacostia’s artists, entrepreneurs, and community can create, connect, and thrive.

Help us close the gap. Donate today via and be part of what’s next for AAC.

08/04/2026

APPLICATIONS ARE OFFICIALLY OPEN!!

Wealth and Wellness Fall 2026 is a FREE 9-part series financial wellness program for residents in the DMV that will give you the confidence you need to TRANSFORM your finances!

⌛ The deadline to apply is Wednesday, August 19 at midnight. Spaces are limited and applications are accepted on a first come, first-serve basis.

The WW program is offered in partnership by Latino Economic Development Center and Office of Women’s Initiatives (OWI), powered by the Washington Area Community Investment Fund, Inc.
🖱️ For more information & to apply visit: https://hubs.la/Q04mvsDD0

🖱️ For more information & to apply visit: https://hubs.la/Q04mvsDD0

08/03/2026

Tomorrow: Franchise Nova Webinar Series Kicks Off

Ever wondered if franchise ownership could be your path to building real, lasting wealth? Session 1 of the Franchise Nova Webinar Series starts tomorrow, August 4 at 6 PM ET.

Exploring Franchise Ownership — Pivot Pilot will walk you through: ✅ What franchising actually is (and how it's different from starting your own business) ✅ The three main pathways into franchise ownership ✅ Where you stand in your own exploration journey ✅ The mindset shifts that set franchise owners up for success ✅ The support systems and resources available to you

60 minutes. Interactive Q&A, real case studies, no fluff — just a clear next step toward multi-unit franchise ownership.

📅 August 4 | 6 PM ET
🔗 https://hubs.la/Q04rJvgC0

Spots are limited — reserve yours today.

Session 1 is designed to help participants understand thefranchise model and their pathway options. Participants will walk away having:

08/01/2026

“The first person you should believe in is yourself.”

For HOMME, believing in that vision meant creating more space for DMV artists, designers, and creatives to be seen.

From its beginnings at the Anacostia Arts Center to locations across DC, HOMME continues to build opportunities for local creatives to showcase their work and grow.

With support from WACIF, HOMME accessed the capital needed to invest in its business and keep its vision moving forward.

Support from the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities (DCCAH) helps make partnerships like this possible, allowing WACIF to invest in the creative businesses helping shape DC’s future.

See their story and see how WACIF turns vision into impact.

Read more: https://hubs.la/Q04r4-w90

07/28/2026

Why do entrepreneurs keep turning to predatory lenders, even when safer, more affordable financing is available?

At WACIF, we set out to answer that question, and the answer wasn't what we expected. It wasn't a lack of financial knowledge. It was a lack of trust, built from lived experience with rejection and financial institutions that hadn't earned their confidence.

With support from TD Bank and in partnership with Building Bridges Across the River, Stratyfy, and Onyx Therapy Group, our Resilient Futures initiative dug into what's really standing between entrepreneurs and the capital they need. The findings reshaped how we train our staff, how we communicate with clients, and how we built an entirely new loan product.

Our new white paper, Beyond Access: Addressing the Trust Gap to Unlock Responsible Capital, lays out what we learned, including how we're already putting it into practice.

Read it here: https://hubs.la/Q04r3WCC0

07/27/2026

Say hello to our Fall 2026 Ascend Cohort! 🎉

We're excited to welcome 13 small business owners into the newest class of the Ascend Capital Accelerator!

Over the next 8 weeks, these entrepreneurs will dig into hands-on training, build individualized growth plans with WACIF business advisors, and connect with a network of peers and alumni — all in the name of leveling up their businesses and unlocking their next stage of growth.

From strengthening financial fundamentals to sharpening marketing and sales strategy, this cohort is putting in the work to build lasting impact in their communities.

Join us in celebrating these 13 business owners as they take their businesses to the next level!