Spring at Thrive: Real Stories. Real Impact. Real Opportunity

Thrive Community Lending Update 
Spring 2026 

Over the past few months, Thrive Community Lending has been busy supporting entrepreneurs, launching new training opportunities, and expanding resources for small business owners across Atlanta and Savannah. 

Here are a few highlights from our recent work. 

Business Boost Series Kicks Off 2026

Our first Business Boost session of 2026 took place on March 3, bringing together Thrive borrowers and entrepreneurs from across the community. 

Business Boost is Thrive’s webinar series designed to provide practical tools and insights that help small business owners strengthen and grow their companies. Each session features guest experts, interactive learning, and resources entrepreneurs can immediately apply to their businesses. 

For this session, we welcomed Angela Walton from Verizon, who introduced participants to a free digital platform filled with business tools, tutorials, and resources designed specifically for small business owners. 

The session was well attended and sparked great discussion among participants. 

Our next Business Boost session will take place May 26, and we look forward to continuing to support entrepreneurs with knowledge, connections, and practical resources to grow their businesses. 

Thrive Impact Snapshot

Small businesses play a vital role in local economies, and Thrive Community Lending continues to support entrepreneurs who are building businesses, creating jobs, and strengthening their communities. 

So far, our work has resulted in: 

• 36 loans deployed

• 61 jobs created 

• 200+ entrepreneurs receiving technical assistance 

• 77% of Thrive borrowers are low-income entrepreneurs 

Behind each of these numbers is a business owner working to build stability for their family while contributing to their local economy. 

Bank of America Community Builders Leadership Program

As part of the 2025 Bank of America Neighborhood Builders award benefits, Thrive’s Loan and Technical Assistance Specialist David Redd participated in leadership development training offered to emerging nonprofit leaders. 

The award includes both grant funding and access to a national peer network of high-impact nonprofit leaders. 

Recent sessions explored topics including: 

• Powerful networking strategies 
• Practicing effective leadership 
• The power of partnership 
• AI-powered productivity tools 
• Storytelling that inspires support 
• Turning financial data into compelling impact narratives 

These trainings help nonprofit leaders strengthen their organizations while expanding the reach and impact of their work. 

Borrower Spotlight

Atlanta Runs on Small Businesses 

Nearly half of Atlanta’s workforce is employed by small businesses, and thousands of entrepreneurs across the region are building companies that power our local economy. 

Yet for many entrepreneurs, access to affordable capital remains one of the biggest barriers to growth. 

This is where Thrive Community Lending plays an important role. 

When Alex arrived in Atlanta with his family after leaving Ukraine, he began rebuilding his life the way many entrepreneurs do. 

He started a business. 

Alex specializes in decorative and textured paint finishes, bringing a unique craft and skillset to homes and businesses across the region. 

After completing Thrive’s four-part business training program, Alex received a loan that allowed him to purchase specialized mixing equipment essential to his work. This investment helped him increase production capacity and begin planning for future expansion. 

Stories like Alex’s remind us what small businesses represent. 

Opportunity. 
Resilience. 
And the steady work of building a life while contributing to the community. 

Thrive is proud to support entrepreneurs who are strengthening Atlanta’s small business economy every day. 

Savannah Entrepreneurs 

Thrive Community Lending had the privilege of helping launch four new businesses led by incredibly brave and resilient immigrant entrepreneurs in Savannah.

Creating businesses that provide sweet baklava treats to a food truck dishing up scrumptious Afghan food, these new microenterprise owners are now on their way to moving their businesses to a different level with lending capital and free technical assistance from Thrive!

We wish them all the best!

CDFI Advocacy for FY27

Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) expand access to capital for entrepreneurs who are often overlooked by traditional lenders. 

As Congress begins discussions for the FY27 federal budget, we encourage our community and partners to support funding for the CDFI Fund at $324 million and urge the Treasury Department to release awarded funds within nine months of enactment. 

Strong federal investment in the CDFI Fund helps ensure organizations like Thrive Community Lending can continue providing responsible, affordable financing to entrepreneurs who are creating jobs and strengthening local economies. 

Quick Action (1 minute)

Find and contact your members of Congress by entering your ZIP code here: 
https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative

If you choose to reach out, a simple message can make a difference:  

"I’m writing to ask that you support $324 million in funding for the CDFI Fund in FY27 and ensure that awarded funds are released within nine months of enactment. CDFIs play a critical role in expanding access to capital for small businesses and entrepreneurs in our communities."

Your voice helps ensure small business owners and community lenders continue to have the resources they need to grow local economies. 

Other Ways You Can Help 

There are many ways to support Thrive Community Lending’s work with entrepreneurs. 

• Refer small business owners who may benefit from training or affordable capital 
• Connect us to potential funders or partners 
• Volunteer as a business coach or mentor 
• Advocate for policies that support small business growth 

To get involved in any of these ways, please email John Arnold or David Redd, or call 470.593.0209. Thrivelending.org 

Together, we can help more entrepreneurs access the capital, knowledge, and support they need to build thriving businesses. 

Warmly, 

John Arnold 
Executive Director
Thrive Community Lending

If building a business feels overwhelming, this is for you.

Dear Friend, 

Starting a business often looks exciting from the outside. On the inside, it can feel confusing, isolating, and expensive to figure out.

Many entrepreneurs are trying to answer questions like:

- Am I pricing this right?
- Where do I find customers?
- What resources actually apply to me?
- How do I grow without risking everything I’ve built?

Too often, the hardest part isn’t the work. It’s knowing where to turn for clear, practical guidance. That’s why Thrive Community Lending is hosting a free virtual session designed to help entrepreneurs access tools, training, and support they can use immediately. 

Thrive Business Boost Series:
 March 3, 2026
 7:00–8:30 PM ET
 Live on Zoom

During this live session, participants will be introduced to the no-cost VERIZON DIGITAL READY business learning platform created to support entrepreneurs at every stage. From early ideas to growth and stabilization. 

Participants will gain access to:

• Self-paced business courses and practical tools 

• Live trainings and and opportunities to connect with other entrepreneurs 

• Information about resources that may lead to grants or incentives 

This session is designed to be practical, accessible, and immediately useful. No surprise costs. Just real support for real business challenges.

If you know someone working to start or grow a business, we hope you’ll share this invitation with them. There will also be incentives and door prizes for participants who attend live.

And if you’re interested in partnering with Thrive to expand economic opportunity in our communities, we would welcome that conversation as well.

Thank you for being part of a community committed to helping entrepreneurs move from uncertainty to stability.

Warmly, 

John Arnold
Executive Director
Thrive Community Lending

Free Virtual Training: Thrive Business Boost Series

Dear Friend, 

One of the things we’re most proud of at Thrive Community Lending is how much this work has grown. Not just in reach, but in depth. That progress has been possible because of partners, supporters, volunteers, and community members who believe that access to knowledge and opportunity matters. 

Because of that support, we’re able to continue offering practical, no-cost resources to small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs. Including free trainings like the one we’re sharing below. 

Free Virtual Training: Thrive Business Boost Series 

 March 3, 2026 
 7:00–8:30 PM ET 
 Live on Zoom 

During this one-hour session, participants will be introduced to a no-cost business learning platform designed to support small business owners and entrepreneurs at every stage. From early ideas to growth and stabilization. The platform includes: 
 

• Self-paced business courses and tools 

• Live trainings and networking opportunities 

• Access to resources that may lead to grants or incentives 

This session is practical, accessible, and free to attend. Registration is required, and Zoom details will be sent to all registered participants prior to the event. 

Whether or not you can attend, please know that you are always welcome to join us, share your ideas, offer feedback, or find inspiration for how we might partner together in the future. And if this particular session isn’t the right fit for you, we’d still appreciate you sharing or forwarding this invitation to someone in your network who may benefit. Let them know there will be some incentives and door prizes for participants! Every connection helps this work grow and reach more people. 

Thank you for staying connected to Thrive Community Lending and for being part of a broader community committed to economic opportunity and stability. 
 

Warmly, 

John Arnold
Executive Director
Thrive Community Lending

Year-End Update from Thrive Community Lending.

Dear Friend,

As the year comes to a close, we want to start by saying thank you. 

Because of your support, refugee entrepreneurs across Georgia are building businesses, strengthening their families’ stability, and creating pathways toward long-term economic opportunity. Your partnership makes it possible for Thrive Community Lending to meet entrepreneurs where they are and walk alongside them as they grow. 

This moment also gives us the chance to reflect on what we've accomplished together over the past year, and to share why we’re feeling energized and hopeful as we look ahead to the year to come. 

Year-End Impact Highlights 

Because of your support, Thrive Community Lending continues to grow in both reach and credibility. 

• 35 refugee-owned businesses launched or strengthened, representing $400,000 invested directly into low-income communities with the creation on 59 jobs.

• Official recognition as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization by the U.S. government, strengthening Thrive’s long-term sustainability 

• $200,000 Neighborhood Builders grant from Bank of America, awarded to support refugee-owned small businesses 

• Expansion into Savannah, where four refugee entrepreneurs are launching new businesses to support their families with Thrive loans 

• Leadership Breakfast held in September, convening banks, foundations, nonprofits, refugee entrepreneurs, and volunteers to discuss local economic challenges and shape pathways to shared prosperity 

Each milestone reflects not only progress, but trust. Trust from funders. Trust from partners. And trust from entrepreneurs choosing Thrive as a stepping stone toward long-term success. 

Borrower Spotlight: From Resettlement to Entrepreneurship

When Azatullah Alizai (on the right) arrived in the U.S. in 2016 through Inspiritus’ Refugee & Immigrant Services program, he was rebuilding his life from the ground up. A new country. New systems. And a deep determination to create stability for his family. 

With support from Inspiritus and Thrive Community Lending, Azatullah turned that determination into action.

Through Thrive’s training and affordable financing, he launched his own Halal food truck in Savannah, creating a pathway to economic independence through work he’s proud of. 

Today, his business is open, growing, and quickly becoming a favorite in the community. For Azatullah, this isn’t just a food truck. It’s stability, dignity, and a future shaped on his own terms. 

This is what your support makes possible. When opportunity meets resilience, families don’t just rebuild. They thrive. 

 Visit Azatullah’s food truck: 7505 Abercorn St, Savannah, GA 31406 

Why Thrive’s Role Matters 

Many early-stage entrepreneurs face a readiness gap before they can successfully access larger loans or traditional financial products. 

That is where Thrive plays a critical role. 

We work alongside entrepreneurs to help them build stability, credit readiness, and strong operational foundations. Our partners have been clear that this bridge matters. It strengthens their future pipeline and ensures entrepreneurs are prepared to step confidently into the capital products those institutions offer, rather than being pushed forward too soon. 

When Thrive does its job well, everyone benefits. Entrepreneurs grow stronger. Partners engage with better-prepared borrowers. Communities become more economically resilient. 

Looking Ahead to the New Year 

As we step into the year ahead, we are energized by what’s possible and grateful for the community that surrounds this work. 

There are several meaningful ways you can continue supporting local refugee entrepreneurs: 

• Volunteer as a business coach or advisor, sharing your expertise with early-stage entrepreneurs 

• Host a training class or workshop, helping entrepreneurs build practical skills in areas like finance, marketing, operations, or compliance 

• Recommend potential borrowers who may benefit from Thrive’s training and affordable capital 

• Make introductions to organizations aligned with this work, whether as collaborative partners, funders, or volunteer groups 

Your time, expertise, and connections play a critical role in helping entrepreneurs move from survival to stability to growth.

For more information, email John Arnold by clicking the button below. 

With Gratitude 

As the year winds down, we’re deeply thankful for your continued belief in this work. Every loan deployed, every business launched, and every family strengthened is connected to supporters like you. 

If you’re organization is looking for a meaningful way to close out the year: 

Give today. Change a life.

Your generosity helps refugee entrepreneurs access the training, capital, and support they need to build strong businesses and stable futures. 

Wishing you a warm, restful holiday season and a hopeful start to the new year.  

With appreciation,

John Arnold
Executive Director
Thrive Community Lending