Debra Torres, Debra Torres LLC, Miami, FL >
our impact
Entrepreneurs build communities, improving their lives as well as those around them. In fact, small businesses employ 6 out of 10 people and account for 75% of all new jobs created in the US.
Hardworking and innovative, these small business owners are passionate about the services they provide and the neighborhoods they serve, yet one third rely on credit for financing. At Ascendus, we’re committed to empowering these local heroes with the loans and resources they need to compete and thrive.
2020 in numbers
1,317
loans to small
business owners
$18M
dollars in
capital provided
2,500
jobs saved
In the three decades since our founding, we have lent $255 million to more than 25,300 small businesses nationwide. Read more in our Annual Report.
addressing the need
Our work is focused on addressing systemic challenges to entrepreneurs of color and women.
access to capital
White families hold 8x more wealth than Latinx families and 10x more wealth than Black families.
Equal Access
At every level, Black and Latinx individuals, women, and immigrants have been excluded for decades from critical financial resources to support economic mobility.
Financial health
57% of Black businesses and 49% of Latinx businesses qualify as “at-risk” or “distressed” compared to 27% of their white counterparts.
COVID-19 Relief
Small businesses in communities of color are approved for COVID relief funding at half the rate of white communities.