Welcome to the International Institute Community Development Corporation!
The IICDC is a subsidiary of the International Institute of Metropolitan St. Louis. Founded in 2006, our mission is to advance the long-term self-sufficiency of immigrants in the St. Louis metro area through microlending and other asset-building strategies. Our vision is a thriving community with prosperity for all. As a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) certified by the US Department of the Treasury, our target markets are low and moderate income immigrants and refugees.
Through our work, we promote business development and job creation in the context of an inclusive environment that harnesses the synergies of our diverse community.
Our Services
We offer a variety of services to our clients to promote the economic development of immigrants and refugees in the St. Louis region. We are a primarily lending-led organization that offers microenterprise loans ranging from $500 and up to $45,000. As of December 2013, the IICDC has financed or supported 536 businesses that have created or retained 759 jobs and, according to the Regional Chamber and Growth Association, generated over $161 million in economic impact for the St. Louis region.
Please view the IICDC Brochure for additional information.
Loan Products
- Small Business Loans to refugee and immigrant entrepreneurs interested in starting, strengthening, or expanding their small businesses
- Microloans to low-income women through the Peer Lending Program
- Individual Development Account (IDA) Savings Program
Development Services
- One-on-one Technical Assistance to assist clients with preparing for a loan application, reviewing and improving credit score, designing a business plan, and developing financial projections.
- Financial Education Class series that covers record keeping, budgeting, accounting, marketing, and legal issues.
St. Louis Related Links:
- The Economic Impact of Immigration on St. Louis - Jack Strauss, Simon Chair of Economics, Director of the Simon Center for Regional Forecasting, Saint Louis University, April 2012
- Immigration Recommendations for St. Louis Region: How can we Jump-Start Growth? – J. Strauss, M. Tranel, J. Caddel, June 2013
- More & More Jobs Headed to St. Louis - St. Louis County Economic Council June Newsletter
- Credit Builders Alliance - October 2012 Newsletter, article featuring a IISTL client
- Cities Hunt for Startup Magic: Entrepreneurial Culture Seen as Growth Key; $100 Million Seed Fund in St. Louis - St. Louis County Economic Council
National Related Links:
- American Made 1.0: The Impact of Immigrant Entrepreneurs and Professionals on U.S. Competitiveness - a joint study by National Venture Capital Association and Stuart Anderson (National Foundation for American Policy)
- Immigrant Entrepreneurship: Drivers of the Innovation Economy- Immigrant Learning Center
- Immigrant Entrepreneurs: Creating Jobs and Strengthening the Economy - report by the US Chamber of Commerce and the Immigration Policy Center, January 2012
- Immigrant Small Business Owners: A Significant and Growing Part of the Economy - report from the Fiscal Policy Institute's Immigration Research Initiative, June 2012
- Investing in the Human Capital of Immigrants, Strengthening Regional Economies- Brookings, September 2012
- Then and Now: America's New Immigrant Entrepeneurs -report by Kauffman, the Foundation of Entrepreneurship, October 2012