The CDFI Fund just opened its FY 2026 Small Dollar Loan Program, and there’s $9 million up for grabs.
If you’re not familiar with the SDL Program, here’s the deal. It’s designed to give everyday people access to affordable loans of $2,500 or less—the kind of emergency cash you need when your car breaks down or the washing machine gives up the ghost. Instead of pushing folks toward predatory lenders charging triple-digit interest rates, this program helps CDFIs offer a reasonable alternative.
But it’s more than just loans. The program specifically targets unbanked and underbanked communities, helping people build credit and get a foothold in the mainstream financial system. Think of it as a hand up, not a handout.
What’s Actually Available?
The CDFI Fund is offering two types of grants through this round:
- Loan Loss Reserve (LLR) Grants: These let you create a safety net fund to cover potential losses when you’re starting or growing a small dollar loan program. Because let’s be real—serving underbanked populations comes with risk, and this helps cushion the blow.
- Technical Assistance (TA) Grants: Money for the nuts and bolts stuff—technology upgrades, staff support, and other essentials you need to actually run or expand your lending program.
The funding comes courtesy of the Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025, for those keeping score at home.
Who Can Apply?
Here’s where the rubber meets the road. To be eligible, you need to be a Certified CDFI as of the date the Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA) hits the Federal Register. If you’re currently certified but waiting on a decision for your recertification under the new requirements, you’re good to go.
You’ve got options for how you apply:
- Fly solo as an individual Certified CDFI
- Team up with a Federally Insured Depository Institution (FIDI) that serves targeted Investment Areas (for LLR grants only)
- Partner with other Certified CDFIs (for TA grants only)
One important note: You can’t use SDL Program awards to directly loan money to consumers. These grants support the infrastructure and safety nets that make your lending program possible.
The Paperwork Gauntlet
Let’s talk admin requirements, because there are a few hoops to jump through. You’ll need active accounts in three systems: SAM.gov, Grants.gov, and the CDFI Fund’s Awards Management Information System (AMIS). And we’re not talking “set it up the day before the deadline” either—everything needs to be registered by July 23, 2026.
Make sure your Employer Identification Number (EIN) and Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) are correctly linked to your SAM.gov and AMIS accounts by that same date. If you’ve moved, changed your organizational structure, or updated anything significant, now’s the time to confirm your accounts are current. Trust us on this—technical glitches at the eleventh hour are no one’s idea of fun.
Mark Your Calendar
Here are the dates you absolutely cannot miss:
- July 23, 2026 by 11:59 PM ET: Submit your SF-424 form through Grants.gov and create your AMIS account
- July 30, 2026 by 11:59 PM ET: Submit your complete SDL Program application through AMIS
Pro tip from the CDFI Fund: Submit everything at least three days before each deadline. Last-minute submissions and technical difficulties go together like peanut butter and jelly—and it’s a combination you want to avoid.
The Grants.gov Funding Opportunity Number you’ll need is: CDFI-2026-SDL
Where to Find Help
Questions about the application? You’ve got until 5:00 PM ET on July 28, 2026 to reach out to the SDL Program team. You can submit a Service Request through AMIS, email them at SDLP@cdfi.treas.gov, or call (202) 653-0421.
For technical support with AMIS itself, help is available until 5:00 PM ET on July 30, 2026. Contact the IT Support team via AMIS Service Request, email at AMIS@cdfi.treas.gov, or phone at (202) 653-0422. Fair warning: technical support shuts down after 5:00 PM on July 30th, so don’t wait until the last minute if you hit a snag.
Get Your Ducks in a Row
All the application materials, plus the full NOFA, are available on the SDL Program page of the CDFI Fund’s website. They’ll be adding more guidance materials over the next few days, so check back regularly.
This is a competitive process, and attention to detail matters. Read through all the materials carefully, get your systems access sorted early, and don’t hesitate to ask questions if something’s unclear. The whole point of this program is to expand access to affordable credit for people who need it most—and your organization could be the bridge that makes it happen.