News

One thing that happens after Labor Day is that there is a crescendo of activities and momentum building toward the end of the year. At the Fund, some of our experience of that velocity is because of our clients and their entrepreneurship across sectors and across our community. And, as we expand our programs to West Seattle, where Link light rail is imposing challenges upon individuals and businesses, we are busy proving there what we proved together here, with you – that com

As we look back on this year, we’re filled with gratitude—for our community, our partners, and our growing team. Together, we continue to strengthen the ecosystem that supports small businesses and builds economic power across our city. Welcome to Our New Team Members We’re thrilled to welcome two incredible additions to our team: Christine Buckley, Business Operations and Technical Assistance Program Manager (supported by JPMorgan Chase), and Tonieh Thompson, Office Coordina

Thank you for joining us at the Grand Opening of RVCDF’s new office on August 21, 2025! We are grateful to have shared this milestone with so many community members, partners, and supporters. Since our founding in 2000, RVCDF has been committed to serving Rainier Valley and beyond by providing responsible lending to small businesses and residents who have traditionally been left out of the financial system. What began as mitigation work during the arrival of light rail has gr

Additional capabilities strengthen client services, product development, community connections SEATTLE, WA – The Rainier Valley Community Development Fund (RVCDF, the Fund) has added two new business professionals to its team, increasing operational capacity and strengthening its ability to serve its clients and community. The Fund is a self-sustaining, community-controlled financial institution (CDFI) dedicated to promoting community development, cultural vibrancy and econom

Last Thursday, July 17th, we celebrated the launch of our new, expanded office space at 2802 S McClellan St, Seattle, WA 98144, in the heart of South Seattle. Throughout the afternoon, we had the opportunity to connect with longtime partners, clients, and community members, many of whom offered thoughtful ideas on how this new space can best serve the community. From intimate conversations to big-picture brainstorming, the energy in the room reflected exactly why this space m

Champ Boxing, a Seattle-based non-profit organization, is making a real difference in the lives of young people. Founded by Kevin Loyal in an abandoned classroom at Rainier Beach High School, Champ Boxing provides free boxing training and mentorship to youth in the community. The program focuses on teaching important life skills such as discipline, integrity, and perseverance. It also provides opportunities for young people to travel and compete in boxing tournaments across t

We’re thrilled to share that the Rainier Valley Community Development Fund (RVCDF) was recently honored as part of the City of Seattle’s selection for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)’s CDBG 50th Anniversary Award early October. The award celebrates the long-standing success of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program and recognizes impactful projects across the country. RVCDF was spotlighted for our transformative role in promoting equit

This week, the Rainier Valley Community Development Fund was invited onto Seattle Here & Now. Host John Yasutake dives into the vital work of the Rainier Valley Community Development Fund (RVCDF) and speaks with our Executive Director Bob Luciano and Program Manager Robert Williams. The episode offers listeners an inside look at how this unique, community-controlled financial institution is driving positive change in Seattle’s Rainier Valley. From affordable housing to small

We’re honored to be featured in a recent KIRO 7 News segment by Jesse Jones, highlighting how the Rainier Valley Community Development Fund (RVCDF) continues to support small businesses impacted by major infrastructure projects like the light rail. The story centers on Comfort Zone, a popular Rainier Valley restaurant run by Talya Miller. Like many small businesses in the area, Comfort Zone faced financial uncertainty due to the disruption caused by light rail construction. W

The Rainier Valley Community Development Fund (RVCDF) is proud to announce that it has attained Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) Certification from the US Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institution Fund (CDFI Fund). The CDFI Fund was created for the purpose of promoting economic revitalization and community development through investment in and assistance to mission-driven community development financial institutions (CDFIs). The CDFI Certificati

The Rainier Valley Community Development Fund’s first and longest serving business loan officer—longtime southeast Seattle resident Charleete Black—has retired. Having joined the organization when it opened its doors in 2003, Charleete worked tirelessly to reach the businesses in the path of the light rail construction that lasted five long years, being directly responsible for these businesses accessing a significant portion of the total $15.2 million in mitigation grants fu

The Rainier Valley Community Development Fund (RVCDF) is pleased to announce that it is a recipient of an award from the US Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institution Fund (CDFI Fund) with a $776,500 award to support small businesses in south Seattle. Under the CDFI Program, the CDFI Fund awarded $171.1 million in Financial Assistance and Technical Assistance in 2017 to 265 organizations in 46 states and the District of Columbia. The CDFI Program invests in and bu

Renew Physical Therapy (PT) recently celebrated its new South Seattle space with a grand opening celebration attended by 200 guests, including patients, friends, neighbors and others.Originally founded by Rainier Valley resident Erik Norwood in 2007, the clinic serves patients from Mount Baker, Seward Park, Beacon Hill, Renton, Skyway and other nearby areas. Since its humble beginnings, the staff of two grew to eight and one massage therapist at its former Columbia City locat

Each year, the Rainier Valley Community Development Fund presents the Richard McIver Award to a local business deserving of distinction, and the 2017 award has gone to the Ethiopian Community in Seattle—serving the community for more than 30 years. Originally presented to former Seattle City Councilmember Richard McIver himself in 2012. After his passing in 2013, the award has been presented annually to an organization in the community that demonstrates Richard’s practices an