Blog
Financial Readiness: What Lenders Are Looking for and How to Be Prepared
Learn what lenders want and how small businesses can show financial readiness to secure loans, organize records, and plan capital use. While the organizations differed in structure and mission, there was strong alignment around one thing: what lenders are looking for when a business applies for capital. That conversation is what we want to share with you along with resources to help you become financially ready!
Filing Your Annual Report: Everything You Need to Know (Step-by-Step)
Starting in 2025, many business owners in Pennsylvania started receiving emails about this new requirement—and it’s important to understand what it is, why it matters, and step- by-step, how to file an annual report for your business correctly. Why Am I Getting...
Join our 12 Days of Giftmas: Support Your Community and Celebrate Entrepreneurs by Shopping Small this Holiday Season!
This Christmas, we’re thrilled to launch our 12 Days of Giftmas Christmas Guide, celebrating our amazing borrowers and the unique gifts they offer. From December 14th through Christmas Day, we’ll reveal a new category each day,...
Annual Event Recap: Celebrating 25 Years of Yes!
On November 21, 2025, we celebrated 25 years of strengthening neighborhoods across Allegheny County. For a quarter century, Neighborhood Community Development Fund (NCDF) has provided financing and technical assistance to help revitalize underserved communities, and...
The Coverage You Can’t Afford to Miss: Critical Insurance Protections for Business Owners
Building Your Business Legacy with Security Starting a business is an act of courage — especially when you're building something from the ground up. You put in long days, invest your savings, and pour everything into creating...
Free Money for Pennsylvania Small Businesses Going Green: The Small Business Advantage Grant Program
If you're a small business owner in Pennsylvania looking to cut energy costs while helping the environment, the state has money waiting for you. The Small Business Advantage Grant (SBAG) Program is offering approximately $1 million in grants to help small businesses...
Don’t Let Your Life’s Work Disappear: A Small Business Owner’s Guide to Succession Planning
Learn how to prepare your business for the future, protect your employees, and ensure a smooth transition with our guide to business succession planning.
Don’t Let Pennsylvania’s New Business Rule Catch You Off Guard: Your Quick Guide to Annual Reports
What's This All About? Pennsylvania used to only require businesses to check in every 10 years. Now they want to hear from you annually, just like most other states. Think of it as a yearly "wellness check" for your business. This applies whether you're a one-person...
Small Business Hiring Guide: Best Practices & Local Opportunities
As a small business owner, finding and retaining talented employees can be one of your greatest challenges. The right hiring practices not only save you time and money but also build the foundation for your company's growth and success. This guide provides practical...
2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh: A Golden Opportunity for Local Businesses
Great news for Pittsburgh's business community! The NFL Draft is coming to our city in 2026, bringing with it not just excitement for football fans, but substantial economic opportunities for local businesses. The NFL has announced a procurement program specifically...