Major initiative supported by Truist Foundation
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ORLANDO, Fla. — April 22, 2026 —The African American Alliance of CDFI CEOs (The Alliance) joins the Veteran Loan Fund (VLF), a national effort of Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) advancing economic opportunity for military-connected entrepreneurs.
Supported by Truist Foundation, this partnership includes the launch of a Veteran & Military Spouse Business Accelerator designed to increase access to capital, training, and business support for Veteran and Military Spouse entrepreneurs nationwide.
Through this initiative, The Alliance will support its members by assessing capital, capacity, and service needs of veterans in the communities they serve.
“We are honored to serve as a member of the Veteran Loan Fund network,” said Amber Banks, President & CEO of The Alliance. “This partnership strengthens our ability to equip our members with the capital, tools, and insights needed to support veterans and their families in building sustainable, thriving businesses.”
The Veteran and Military Spouse Business Accelerator uses a coordinated model that delivers business education and mentorship, capital readiness and financial training, marketing and operational support, access to affordable loan capital and grants. Participants will complete a free, 8-week program combining weekly instruction, structured assignments, one-on-one business coaching and free access to LivePlan a business planning and financial forecasting platform used to build plans, model projections, and track performance.
Those who successfully complete all program requirements will receive ongoing technical assistance for up to three years, access to up to $350,000 in loan capital, a grant ranging from $3,000 to $5,000, and complimentary access to the Business Beyond Battlefield Conference at the National Medal of Honor Museum in Arlington, Texas in October 2026.
The program is delivered in collaboration with member CDFIs and veteran-serving organizations, with the University of Texas at Arlington Veterans Business Outreach Center (UTAVBOC) and the Veteran Women’s Enterprise Center (VWEC) leading the curriculum and content delivery.
Through this initiative, VLF aims to deploy an additional $15 million in loans and up to $1.5 million in grants, supporting approximately 300 Veteran and Military Spouse entrepreneurs and helping create or retain 1,500 jobs within the next year.
Veterans and Military Spouses nationwide can learn more and apply to participate in the Accelerator here.
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About Veteran Loan Fund:
The Veteran Loan Fund is a national effort of a growing number of Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) and specialized technical assistance partners dedicated to helping Veterans and Military Spouses start and grow small businesses. Member CDFIs currently include Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs (GA), Ascendus (NY), Appalachian Community Capital (VA), BBIF (FL), Business Impact Northwest (WA), Colorado Enterprise Fund (CO), DreamSpring (NM), Economic and Community Development Institute (OH), Justine Petersen (MO), Pathway Lending (TN), PeopleFund (TX), Pursuit (NJ), Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corporation (WI) and members of African American Alliance of CDFI CEOs. Learn more at www.veteranloanfund.com.
About The African American Alliance of CDFI CEOs
The African American Alliance of CDFI CEOs (The Alliance) is a national coalition of 90+ CEOs of Black-led Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), comprising loan funds, mission-driven organizations, credit unions, venture capital firms, and non-profit developers. Since 2018, The Alliance’s network collectively services all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Learn more about The Alliance and its programs at http://www.aaacdfi.org.
About Truist Foundation
Truist Foundation is committed to Truist Financial Corporation’s (NYSE: TFC) purpose to inspire and build better lives and communities. The Foundation, an endowed private foundation established in 2020 whose operating budget is independent of Truist Financial Corporation, makes strategic investments in a wide variety of nonprofit organizations centered around two focus areas: building career pathways to economic mobility and strengthening small businesses to ensure all communities have an opportunity to thrive. Embodying these focus areas are the Foundation’s leading initiatives – the Inspire Awards and Where It Starts. Learn more at Truistfoundation.org.
Media Contact:
Iyanna Peoples
Associate, Marketing & Communications
African American Alliance of CDFI CEOs
[email protected], (910) 518-9201
