Cooperative Federal Joins Inclusiv Business Forward to Spur Deployment of Capital to Small Businesses in Central NY

December 2025 

Inclusiv is pleased to welcome Cooperative Federal to the Business Forward initiative, as the third credit union and the first outside of New York City to join as participating lender.  Inclusiv Business Forward aims to increase access to capital for small businesses in New York State through CDFI credit unions, financial institutions uniquely positioned to support small businesses in communities underserved by the banking industry.

Serving small and micro businesses  has been a cornerstone of Cooperative Federal's mission for more than 40 years. It was founded in 1982 as a community owned non-profit with the mission to foster social equity and economic justice in Syracuse, the fifth largest city in New York State. Cooperative Federal currently serves 4,100 members.

As part of Inclusiv Business Forward, Cooperative Federal joins Brooklyn Coop and Lower East Side People’s Credit Unions to help deploy affordable and flexible loans ranging from $50,000 to $500,000 to small businesses. The goal is to give small businesses the opportunity to grow. 

"Economic growth in the Syracuse region is bringing a wave of opportunity to local businesses, but small and micro businesses need greater access to capital to be part of that growth,” said Cooperative Federal CEO Christina Sauve. “Through Business Forward, we’re excited to double down on supporting our community.” 

Inclusiv Business Forward launched earlier this year as a small business lending initiative thanks to a $5 million investment from New York State Empire State Development (ESD) through the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI). It serves as a blueprint for other states to deploy SSBCI funding to provide capital and technical assistance to promote small business stability, growth, and success. Long-term, Inclusiv Business Forward aims to expand both community impact and lending growth of CDFI credit unions.