Small Business Lender

Small Business Lender
Venture North Funding & Development Reports To: President Status: Contractual

About Venture North

Venture North Funding & Development is a mission-driven, 501(c)(3) nonprofit and certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) serving a ten-county region of Northwest Michigan.

Our mission is to provide low-cost commercial loans and no-cost consulting and technical assistance to support small business growth, particularly in underserved communities and among entrepreneurs who may not have access to traditional financing.

To date, Venture North has made 222 loans totaling more than $13.5 million, leveraging an additional $35.7 million in private investment in their ten-county region that also includes Antrim, Charlevoix, Emmet, Kalkaska, Missaukee, and Wexford counties. They have also provided over 9,000 hours of no-cost business consulting.

We believe in on-the-ground, relationship-based work that builds trust, strengthens communities, and creates real access to capital.

Contract Position Summary

The contractor in this position develops relationships and understanding of Venture North services with a goal of deploying low-cost capital loans and technical assistance that helps small businesses attain prosperity, particularly in areas and with people who are underserved.

Primary Contractor Responsibilities

Community Outreach & Relationship Building (Primary Focus)

· Identify and engage target communities and underserved markets within

Emmet, Charlevoix and other counties as needed.

· Build and maintain relationships with economic development organizations, municipalities, financial institutions, chambers, trade groups, and community partners. Maintain and grow referral networks, including those from existing clients

· Represent Venture North at meetings, events, and public forums

· Conduct grassroots, in-person outreach to build trust and awareness of Venture North services

Lead Generation

· Develop and maintain a steady flow of prospective, qualified borrowers

· Track inquiries, referrals, and follow-ups using internal tracking systems

· Conduct intake conversations to understand business needs, readiness, and fit for Venture North programs.

· Refer prospective clients to appropriate consulting or technical assistance resources when needed

Loan Application & Lending Support

· Guide potential borrowers through the loan application process, including gathering documentation and completing applications.

· Maintain follow-up with prospects to support converting inquiry into applications.

· Participate in lending activities working with VNs credit department, including coordinating loan documentation, presenting to loan committee, closing activities, and disbursement of funds.

· Manage a loan portfolio, monitoring borrower performance, and maintaining regular communication.

· Identify potential problem loans and assist in workout strategies as needed.

Client Support & Connection to Resources

· Provide or coordinate pre- and post-loan technical assistance to help clients. strengthen their financial and operational capacity.

· Schedule client site visits and sustain relationships with borrowers.

· Connect clients to ongoing consulting, technical assistance, and partner resources.

· Help identify client stories and successes for outreach and awareness.

Data Tracking & Reporting

· Maintain accurate records of outreach, referrals, inquiries, and application status

· Track community engagement activities and outcomes using reporting tools

Minimum Contractor Qualifications

· Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience

· 3–5+ years of experience in community development, small business, economic development, nonprofit work, banking, or related fields

· Working knowledge of financial statements, including balance sheets and profit and loss (P&L) statements.

· Strong written, verbal, and presentation communication skills

· Ability to manage multiple prospects and relationships simultaneously

· Self-starter who works well independently while connected to a team

· Sound judgment and strong interpersonal skills with diverse populations

Preferred Contractor Qualifications

· Experience with small businesses is highly valued

· Comfortable using data tracking tools

· Valid driver’s license

· Regular travel within Emmet and Charlevoix Counties

· Ability to attend occasional evening or weekend events

Contractor Compensation

This is a contractual position (approx. 25 hrs./week) with potential to become a full-time position as workload expands.

The contractual agreement will reflect competitive compensation.