about us
CAPITAL, COACHING, AND CONNECTIONS
Our Mission
Building wealth and creating economic opportunities in Georgia by providing affordable access to capital and business support for aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners.
What We Do
ACT! provides Capital, Coaching & Connections with a focus on African Americans, other populations of color & low income persons. We work in partnership with banks to meet the credit needs of small business owners. Our programs serve to close the financial gap, to make the business owner “whole” financially.
history
1994
In 1994, a massive flood devastated many legacy businesses in South Albany. In
response, four local banks and the City of Albany established a revolving loan fund to
aid recovery efforts. This initiative grew into ACT, a Black-led CDFI that now provides
small business loans primarily to Black-owned businesses across 38 counties in
southwestern Georgia.
2001
First Loan Made
2003
SBA Micro Lender designation
2007
Certified Development Financial Institution (CDFI) through the Department of
Treasury
2023
SBA Community Advantage Lender Treasury
ABOUT US
Albany Community Together, Inc. (ACT!) was created in 1997 with the primary mission to create opportunities by helping low-wealth individuals who are not served or underserved by traditional financial institutions to build wealth through small business ownership, and access to capital. ACT’s mission has evolved to building wealth and creating economic opportunities in Georgia by providing affordable access to capital and business support for aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners.
ACT! became a SBA micro-loan intermediary in 2003. In 2007, ACT! was certified as a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) that provides loans and business development to businesses in the Southwest Georgia area. In 2012, ACT! contracted with the State of Georgia to implement the State Small Business Credit Initiative funded by the Department of Treasury.
City skyline
Blurred Lines
Birthday Sparks
Who we serve?
ACT provides access to capital to businesses operating in our 38-county region with a focus on Black-owned small businesses. Many of our businesses operate with slim profit margins and do not have a safety net for emergencies. Many have weak cash flow positions, weak or nonexistent banking relationships, and pre-existing funding gaps. This leaves many with no option but to fund their businesses by bootstrapping–using their own money, tapping into credit cards, borrowing money from family and friends, and using predatory high interest loans. ACT has a strong history of serving businesses operating in low-wealth communities and providing services to low-income individuals.
What we do?
ACT provides flexible capital with appealing rates and terms, collateral options, and character-based eligibility; along with a full array of development services, including tailored technical assistance, to countermand these barriers.
ACT’s work is based on the 3C Model: capital, coaching, and connections, in order to provide the level of support needed for success. Borrowers have access to CAPITAL to meet immediate and growth needs. They receive individual COACHING to help them
position their business for greater success, and they receive assistance CONNECTING to new markets, mainstream financial institutions, procurement contracts, and more.
COUNTIES SERVED
We serve businesses in our service area that make an impact
by creating jobs & economic opportunities.
| Baker | Bibb | Calhoun | Chattahoochee |
| Clay | Colquitt | Crawford | Crisp |
| Decatur | Dooly | Dougherty | Early |
| Grady | Harris | Houston | Lee |
| Macon | Marion | Meriweather | Miller |
| Mitchell | Muscogee | Peach | Pike |
| Quitman | Randolph | Schley | Seminole |
| Stewart | Sumter | Talbot | Taylor |
| Terrell | Thomas | Troup | Upson |
| Webster | Worth |
Our Board
AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS
2008
SBA Financial Champion for Georgia
2017
SunTrust Lighting the Way Award
2022
Smith W. Bagley Advocacy Award
2023
Truist Foundation Inspire Award Finalist
Partnerships & Community Engagement
Table of
Southwest Georgia
In 2021, ACT partnered with the Southwest Georgia Project (SWGAP) to create The Table of Southwest Georgia, a food and community hub in an old 46,000 square foot grocery store. The project targets health, wealth, and food disparities with a 4-part strategy. SWGAP will handle food by creating a fresh produce center for Black farmers
and a farmer's market, allowing them to pool their goods and compete. Phoebe Health System will tackle health by collaborating to form the Health Equity Institute, addressing local healthcare needs and interventions. ACT will focus on wealth through
entrepreneurship by managing a culinary business incubator with financing, technical help, and development services. Lastly, it will bring the community together at the junction of food and health.
MBDA
In 2024, ACT joined forces with the Georgia Tech Center for Innovation Minority Business Development Center (MBDA) to deliver business development services in Rural Georgia through the Rural Georgia Ready's initiative. This collaboration provides complimentary workshops covering various business development topics directly within the communities where these businesses are based. The goal is to equip rural businesses with the necessary resources to strengthen their operations and prepare them for future opportunities or unforeseen challenges.
SBA Community Navigator Pilot Program Participant
As a trusted and culturally knowledgeable organization, ACT was selected to be part of
the Community Navigator Program–NAV-GA–with the Georgia Microenterprise Network
in 2021. The SBA funded project helps level the playing field for underserved entrepreneurs by providing business training and technical assistance using a community navigator model. Through this partnership, ACT provides outreach and development services to BIPOC and low-income business owners and entrepreneurs, creating an additional pipeline of potential borrowers.
