Cherokee NC Lenders - Native American CDFI

History and Track Record

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History & Track Record

Staff & Board

Offices
Ginger L. Welch Complex
810 Acquoni Road
Cherokee, NC 28719

Ph 828-497-1666
Fax 828-497-1665

Cherokee
Community Calendar
includes Sequoyah Fund events and training

The Sequoyah Fund is an independent, non-profit Native American Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI). The organization evolved from a loan fund program of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. The program was managed by the business development department. A decision was made to take this loan fund program through a rigorous reorganization process and establish an independent Native CDFI that could receive CDFI certification from the US Treasury. The Sequoyah Fund obtained this certification in 2005.

Sequoyah Fund’s mission is to provide training, technical assistance, and resources to support entrepreneurship, business start up and expansion, and community development on the Qualla Boundary.

Sequoyah Fund honors and pays respect to Sequoyah, one of the great leaders of the Cherokee people who provided the gift of knowledge and inspired others to share their knowledge. We embody the traditional values of the Eastern Band of Cherokees as well as the contemporary principles of the Cherokee people and others living on the Qualla Boundary.

Between 2001 and 2008, Sequoyah Fund, together with Cherokee Business Development provided training and technical assistance services to approximately 1,000 individuals and approved more than 135 loans totaling almost $4,600,000. Today, Sequoyah Fund is in charge of the entire loan portfolio and Cherokee Business Development focuses on providing technical assistance and training services.

Since 2001, we’ve helped businesses increase their annual incomes by anywhere from 3% to 7% and created and retained an average of two jobs per loan. We’re working together to stimulate a year-round economy, promote self-sufficiency, and improve the quality of products and services available in the community.

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