Pre-Development Financing for Nonprofits
Every great project begins long before the first brick is laid. Whether you’re building a new facility or launching a community program, our Pre-Development Financing gives you the upfront capital to cover early-stage costs, so you can move forward with confidence.
Access your funds now by connecting with our team
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We Know the Early Stages Matter
Getting a nonprofit project off the ground often means paying for things before the “real” funding shows up. Think architectural plans, site surveys, engineering studies, legal fees, permitting, and initial staffing. These costs are unavoidable and essential.
But here’s the issue: traditional lenders see early-stage costs as risky. And grants or donations usually come later. That’s a problem when you’re trying to stay on track and keep stakeholders engaged.
We’re here to fix that. Our pre-development loans are built specifically for nonprofits who are ready to act, not wait.
What Our Pre-Development Financing Covers
We help nonprofits finance a wide range of pre-launch costs, including:
- Feasibility and environmental studies
- Architectural and engineering plans
- Legal and zoning expenses
- Site acquisition prep and permitting
- Initial consultants and staffing
- Capital campaign planning
- Market and community needs assessments
Need funding for something else?
Why Pre-Development Financing Is Important
Early-stage costs can be make-or-break. We’ve seen it firsthand that delays in pre-development can snowball into lost funding opportunities, missed approvals, or even canceled projects. When you’re funded early, you can:
- Move faster: Keep your timeline on track and your stakeholders engaged.
- Build credibility: Show donors, city officials, and partners that your project is real and ready.
- Secure future capital: Many funders require feasibility and compliance work before they commit.
- Avoid disruption: Get organized and ready before construction or launch begins.
How It Works
We know nonprofit projects don’t have time for complicated paperwork or endless delays. That’s why our process is built for speed, clarity, and support. From start to funding, we focus on making it simple, so you can focus on your mission.
Step 1: Start the Conversation
Fill out a quick application. Tell us about your organization, your project, and how much you need.
Step 2: Get a Fit-First Recommendation
We review your goals and match you with the best-fit solution, whether it’s a pre-development loan, bridge funding, or another option.
Step 3: Get Funded Fast
Once approved, we move quickly and you’ll have access to your funds in just a few days.
Why Work With B Generous?
We built the largest nonprofit credit marketplace in the U.S. because traditional lending doesn’t always work for mission-driven organizations.
By connecting nonprofits to a wide range of trusted bank and nonbank lenders, we’ve helped move millions into the hands of changemakers. Will you be next?
Frequently Asked Questions
Pre-development financing helps cover the early costs of planning a new facility or real estate project—before construction begins. This includes things like site surveys, architecture, permitting, and legal fees.
Typical uses include:
– Feasibility and market studies
– Architectural and engineering plans
– Environmental assessments
– Legal and permitting fees
– Land acquisition or land options
– Zoning or entitlement expenses
These costs are essential to move your project toward construction.
Key factors include:
– Annual revenue and expenses
– Cash flow consistency
– Diversity of funding sources
– History of grants/donations
– Debt service coverage ratio (ability to repay)
– Organizational stability and leadership
– The details and economics of the proposed project including the longer term financing
It depends on your organization’s size, revenue, and financial strength. Loans typically range from $250,000 to $5 million but we can lend larger amounts in certain circumstances. We will assess your project, and your financials and recommend an appropriate amount.
Most lenders ask for:
– IRS Form 990
– Recent audited or internal financial statements
– Operating budget
– Board resolution authorizing borrowing
– Cash flow forecasts or projections
– Schedule and details of existing debt and liens
– Possibly grant award letters or donation history
– A full detailed analysis of the planned building or project
Rates vary by lender, but B Generous works with the largest number of mission aligned lenders in the nation so rates are competitive and terms are nonprofit friendly.
This depends on the complexity and size of the loan request. However, most credit decisions are issued within 2 weeks of receipt of all documents, with funding for approved loans available within days after that.
Not always. Some lenders allow you to apply with a purchase option, land lease, or pending acquisition—especially if it’s part of a well-documented plan.
Most pre-development loans are short-term—between 6 months and 2 years—to bridge the gap before you secure construction or permanent financing.
Connect with our team to access your funds now
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