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Lakota Funds Loan Department
Lakota Funds was established twenty two years ago by a group realizing that to break the cycle of poverty on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation they needed to focus on the key roadblocks to economic development. These roadblocks were: access to capital, access to technical assistance, access to business networks, and access to infrastructure. Eventually they decided to build the first Native American Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) in America. Lakota Funds is the only commercial lender based on the expansive 7,000 square miles of the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. Lakota Funds provides services in six areas: technical assistance, financial literacy, housing, business office rentals, financial capital and market access.
Lakota Funds loans started as micro lending and after a couple years adopted the Circle Banking Project from Bangladesh. After a ten year exploration of Circle Banking, Lakota Funds moved on to offering micro loans and small business loans linked to a business planning course requirements. The portfolio grew and over $4 million has been invested in our communities. Lakota Funds loan size has grown from $500 to $200,000, going to local artists, resorts, contractors and stores. Lakota Funds now has five (5) Loan Products: micro Loans—$5,000 or less, artisan Loans—$5,000 or less, small Loans—$5,001 to $25,000, artisan Loans—$5,001 to $25,000, business Loans—$25,000 to $200,000. The last two categories require the Core Four Business Planning Course and/or three years of documented successful business experience. Loans can be utilized for real estate or renovation, working capital, debt restructure, plus the purchases of inventory, materials, and equipment for businesses and artists. Lakota Funds Loans are for any enrolled tribal member living on the Pine Ridge Reservation who owns or plans to start a business, or artists.
Lakota Funds has other services available like housing (located in Wanblee), Wawokiye Business Institute, and Lakota Tiwahe Savings Program (family asset building). Lakota Funds provides free services in five areas: technical assistance, financial literacy, housing, financial capital and market access.
Lakota Funds Client Spotlight Native
American Natural Foods, LLC
 Lakota
Funds is proud to spotlight Native American Natural Foods,
LLC as our successful client of the month for January
2008. Karlene Hunter, chief executive officer and Mark
Tilsen, president work swiftly to fill orders of the
famous Tanka Bars which are sold just as fast as they
are produced. Hard work and high quality products have
made the company reach production goals at an accelerated
pace. The energy bar called Tanka Bar is an made from
dried buffalo meat and dried cranberries. Hunter is South
Dakota’s Small Business Woman of the Year for 2007;
she is demonstrating to Oglala Lakota Nation the possibilities
of our reservation to the world. The constant demand
for the product is incredible and Tank Bars are just
the beginning for Native American Natural Foods, LLC.
This years Black Hills Powwow was where the Tanka Bars
were introduced to an enthusiastic audience. Buffalo
has always been essential for the survival of our ancestors
and Tanka Bar has revived buffalo’s benefits in
today’s culture.
Lakota Funds mission to promote socioecomic sustainability of Oglala Lakota
people on Pine Ridge Reservation can be accomplished with successful entrepreneurs
like Hunter and Tilsen. Community development and Economic development start
right here on our reservation with our members desiring a change for the future.
All people of the Oglala Nation deserve to have achieving communities and people
with homes and a vibrant economy.
Lakota Funds Inspired By our
Future Entrepreneurs
Our future
Entrepreneurs have been an inspiration for upcoming events
with the Lakota Funds. Lakota Funds
is promoting
youth entrepreneurs by sponsoring advertisements on all
Pine Ridge Reservation High Schools sports calendars
with the motto “Investing in our Oyate.” with
the All American Publishing LLC. This is an opportunity
to
support our young men and women in their activities.
Lakota Funds encouraged all area fundraisers with
motivation charts/meters
for the planning and goal monitoring of successful events
for the fundraisers. Financial literacy to all members
of our reservation for knowledge to keep on hand for
self and families will bring power in everyday
choices when
it comes to savings and investing. Lakota Funds is a
community finance institution actively promoting
socioeconomic sustainability
of Oglala Lakota People on Pine Ridge Reservation through
culturally appropriate strategies including family asset
building, technical assistance, business loans, and targeted
community and business development.
Lakota Funds collaborated with Mr. Bryan Brewer Lakota
Nation Invitational Director to provide workshop sessions
for youth attending the Lakota Nation Invitational tournaments.
The sessions gave information along with games to understand
Credit, Savings, and other topics. The Lakota Nation Invitational
Financial Literacy also focused on preparing for College
life expenses. All participants took part in games to encourage
actually looking at credit terms and ideas for keeping
a personal budget. Lakota Funds also provided an information
booth of all services and items provided. Economic development
and community development together build healthy striving
communities.
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