Weave success into your business

The NSBCI supports and uplifts Navajo business owners, artisans, and nonprofit leaders with the financial resources you need to nurture and grow your ideas.

What is the NSBCI?

The Navajo Small Business Credit Initiative (NSBCI) offers targeted access to loans and guarantees designed for Navajo small businesses, Navajo enterprises, and nonprofits. Whether you need working capital, equipment financing, or support to expand operations, NSBCI can help with loan amounts ranging from $5,000 up to $20 million.

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CLICK HERE to download NSBCI posters

Navajo-owned, Navajo strong; Build your business with the NSBCI loan program

“The support and community at Change Labs have been crucial in my growth as an entrepreneur. Being part of a network of like-minded individuals who share similar goals and challenges has fostered a collaborative environment.”

Albert Haskie
Founder of Adoone'é

Are you eligible?

  • You are a majority Navajo-owned business, Navajo artisan, Navajo-controlled nonprofit, or a Navajo sole proprietors.

  • You do not have delinquent debt to the Navajo Nation.

  • You need funds for business purposes, such as working capital or refinancing existing debt.

  • Your business or nonprofit is located in New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Colorado, or on the Navajo Nation.

Get your materials ready

Depending on your requested loan amount, you’ll be asked to prepare materials about your business.

View our loan checklist

Fill out a pre-application

It takes minutes online. Tell us who you are, what your business is, what you need funds for.

Click here to start your pre-application

Connect with a coach

Once your pre-application is submitted, a member of our team will reach out to you to discuss your loan options and next steps.

Note that we anticipate the first loans will be approved in January 2025.

NSBCI FAQ

General

  • The Navajo Small Business Credit Initiative (NSBCI) is a Navajo Nation program offering targeted access to loans and guarantees designed for Navajo entrepreneurs in Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, Colorado, or on the Navajo Nation. It will promote small business growth, increase job opportunities, and support the Navajo economy.

    Businesses, sole proprietors, enterprises and nonprofits are all eligible, with special consideration for businesses located in rural or underserved areas. Whether you need working capital, equipment financing, or support to expand operations, NSBCI can help with loan amounts ranging from $5,000 up to $20 million.

  • While the Navajo Nation has received its allotment of funds to support NSBCI loans, the infrastructure is being developed to deploy loans to Navajo businesses and nonprofits. We are accepting pre-applications now to get Navajo businesses ready for the loans. We anticipate the funds will be ready for deployment no later than January 2025.

  • The NSBCI is housed in the Navajo Division of Economic Development (DED), and is supported by Change Labs and the Dineh Chamber of Commerce. Change Labs and Navajo DED will deploy $28 million in loans along with $28 million from private capital to grow Navajo small businesses.

    Depending on the loan amount, loans are approved by Change Labs or our network of lenders including credit unions and CDFIs. A small business may apply for an NSBCI loan by contacting Change Labs, Navajo DED, your local RBDO, or a participating lender.

  • Small businesses and nonprofits with up to 500 employees may apply. The business or nonprofit must be located in Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, Colorado, or on the Navajo Nation.

    Eligible applicants include:

    • For-profit corporations, partnerships, or associations incorporated in a US State or on the Navajo Nation with a minimum of 51% ownership by an enrolled citizen of the Navajo Nation;

    • Navajo-controlled nonprofits; or

    • Sole proprietorships owned by an enrolled citizen of the Navajo Nation.

  • A Navajo-controlled nonprofit means that 51% or more of the nonprofit’s Board of Directors are enrolled citizens of the Navajo Nation.

  • An eligible business or nonprofit may apply for an NSBCI loan by contacting Navajo DED, Change Labs, or a Participating Lender. Partners will be accepting pre-applications in Fall 2024.

    Click Here to Fill Out the Pre-Application Form

  • The NSBCI is a three-year commitment to Navajo small businesses. Pre-applications for loans will be open on a rolling basis for three-years after the pre-application opens in Summer 2024.

  • Eligible applicants have a business or nonprofit on the Navajo Nation, Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, or Colorado.

    Note that if your nonprofit, corporation, or LLC is located on the Navajo Nation, you must also be registered with the Navajo Business Regulatory and the Navajo Tax Commission in order to be approved for a loan.

  • It depends on whether or not your business or nonprofit is physically located on the Navajo Nation or if it conducts business on the Navajo Nation.

    If you run a nonprofit or a small business physically located on the Navajo Nation or doing business on the Navajo Nation, you will be asked to provide proof of registration with the Navajo Business Regulatory Department and Navajo Tax Commission, or you will be provided with resources to register your organization with these entities.

    If you are a Navajo sole-proprietor physically located on the Navajo Nation or doing business on the Navajo Nation, you will be asked to provide proof of tax payment to the Navajo Tax Commission, or you will be provided with resources to register with the Navajo Tax Commission.

    Businesses and nonprofits who are NOT located on the Navajo Nation and do NOT do business on the Navajo Nation will be asked to provide proof of registration in the State of Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, or Colorado.

    Sole proprietors who are NOT located on the Navajo Nation and do NOT do business on the Navajo Nation are not required to produce any registration documentation.

Financial

  • Change Labs is offering loan amounts from $5,000 up to $1,000,000.

    The Navajo DED offers loan amounts from $500,000 up to $20,000,000.

  • Interest rates are determined by the participating lender based on your loan size and terms.

    Change Labs offers loans up to $50,000 at a fixed interest rate of 5% or less.

  • Your loan payments will vary based on loan size and term. NSBCI loans are meant to be more affordable, with below-market or market interest rates, limited fees, and deferred payments options. You will repay your loan on a monthly basis through a participating lender.

  • Eligible Loans are limited to business purposes, such as working capital and eligible refinanced debt.

    Working capital includes:

    • Inventory, equipment, professional services, marketing, payroll, tenant improvements, operating, and emergency maintenance;

    • current property taxes, utilities, rent, and supplies;

    • making regularly scheduled interest and principal payments on mortgages, loans, and other existing business debt;

    • paying off existing debt that is due within 90 days; and

    • paying off credit cards that were used to pay monthly operating expenses and that the business historically was able to pay off each month.

  • We have created a checklist of documents and information you may need to apply for a loan.

    Note that the items listed on the checklist are representative of commonly required materials; needs may vary depending on the size of the loan request and the lender.

  • Change Labs’ loans for $50,000 or less do not require a credit score or collateral.

    For loan amounts greater than $50,000, your lender will likely check your personal credit score. Be prepared to answer questions about any negative items that may be listed.

  • If you need help preparing the items on the loan preparation checklist, have additional questions, or if you have questions regarding your business financial documents in general, there are several resources available to you.

    Change Labs is offering coaching appointments, the Dineh Chamber of Commerce is offering technical assistance, and your local RBDO has an NSBCI technician in their office.

We’re here to help

Want to talk about your loan application? Need more information on how NSBCI could benefit your business or nonprofit? Our Coaches are available for in-person or virtual appointments to support you through the process.

If your business or nonprofit is operating on the Navajo Nation, conducting business on the Navajo Nation, or pursuing a contract with the Navajo Nation government or its entities, you will need to ensure your business or nonprofit is compliant with Navajo Nation regulations to take full advantage of the NSBCI.

Use these resources to build your knowledge and bring your questions to a Change Labs coach!

  • If you are not a sole proprietorship, you need to register on the Navajo Nation in the following instances:

    • Physical Presence: If your business has a physical location within the Navajo Nation, such as a store, office, or manufacturing facility.

    • Conducting Business: If you are conducting business activities within the Navajo Nation, including selling goods or services, even if your business does not have a physical location there.

    • Contracting with the Navajo Nation: If you plan to bid on contracts or engage in business transactions with the Navajo Nation government or its entities.

    Business registration on the Navajo Nation is similar to any US State. Change Labs has built Build Navajo to support you with the step-by-step process to business registration.

  • As a Navajo entrepreneur, it's important to understand the distinction between Navajo Business Registration and Navajo Business Certification to ensure your business complies with Navajo Nation laws and regulations and can take advantage of available opportunities.

    Navajo Business Registration is a mandatory process for any business operating within the Navajo Nation. This registration is overseen by the Navajo Nation Business Regulatory Department.

    Navajo Business Certification, on the other hand, is a designation specifically for Navajo-owned businesses and Navajo-controlled nonprofits. Navajo Business Certification is an optional but beneficial designation for Navajo businesses, providing advantages such as preferential contracting.

    Both Registration and Certification are managed by Navajo Business Regulatory within the Navajo Division of Economic Development. To access the appropriate forms, visit: https://navajoeconomy.org/

  • Any business that sells goods or services within the Navajo Nation or delivers goods to customers within the Navajo Nation is generally required to collect and remit Navajo Nation sales tax. Compliance with these tax regulations is crucial for legal operation and maintaining good standing within the community.

    The Office of the Navajo Tax Commission oversees annual tax registration and quarterly sales tax payments. Their website contains all the forms you need to be compliant.

NSBCI is a partnership between the Navajo Nation OPVP, the Division of Economic Development, Change Labs, and the Dineh Chamber of Commerce. Change Labs thanks the following lenders participating in our NSBCI loan programs: Nusenda Credit Union, 1st SouthWest Bank, and Native Community Capital.