Ascendus will direct $900,000 toward loans while matching each dollar with practical coaching from Prospera and partner groups, helping create or sustain roughly 160 jobs at 36 Broward small businesses

At the 2026 Broward & Beyond Business Conference, the Wells Fargo Foundation announced a $1 million grant to Ascendus. The funding will start BRIDGE Broward, or Broward Resources for Inclusive Development & Growth for Entrepreneurs, a program meant to narrow the long-standing gap in capital access for county small business owners.

The effort will deliver $900,000 in loans to about 36 entrepreneurs, match each borrower with one-on-one financial coaching, and generate or keep an estimated 160 local jobs during the grant term. Ascendus, a nonprofit CDFI lender, will issue the loans while three Broward community groups - Prospera, Hispanic Unity of Florida, and Urban League Central County Community Development Corporation - supply tailored technical help.

Many Broward small business owners still find traditional bank loans out of reach. BRIDGE Broward aims to change that reality.

"Capital by itself falls short. True progress occurs when funding joins coaching and teamwork. This Wells Fargo Foundation grant and our Broward partners let us do more than issue loans; we are creating a structure that strengthens businesses, improves finances, and builds lasting stability. We are pleased to bring the program to Broward County, where local owners show clear talent and drive that deserve responsive support." - Paul Quintero, CEO, Ascendus

"Small businesses power Broward County, and we want to see them expand and succeed. The $1 million grant to launch BRIDGE Broward combines funding, local knowledge, and solid community ties to widen opportunity for entrepreneurs who have often been left out. We look forward to working with Ascendus and area nonprofits to back the talent and drive moving this community ahead." - Hector J. Ponte, South Florida Region Executive, Wells Fargo

The news arrives as South Florida small business owners face higher costs, tighter credit, and rising uncertainty. BRIDGE Broward uses a model already tested in Florida: over more than 20 years in the state, Ascendus has provided over $63 million in small business loans to more than 3,000 entrepreneurs.

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

Through BRIDGE Broward, qualifying Broward County small business owners can receive:

Microloans ranging from $500 to $100,000, aimed at owners who do not meet standard bank requirements.
Lines of credit up to $50,000 at a fixed 13.99 percent rate, to cover ongoing cash flow needs.
Personalized financial coaching included with every loan - centered on credit improvement, business steadiness, and lasting financial security - plus technical support from the three Broward partners.

"We are pleased to join Ascendus and Wells Fargo in helping small business owners overcome one of their biggest hurdles - timely and useful access to capital - while also offering reliable guidance to make the most of those funds." - Myrna Sonora, South Florida Vice President, Prospera

"Every entrepreneur should have a genuine chance to build something enduring. This funding lets HUF use a full approach to close the gap, bringing capital within reach by pairing each loan with coaching and technical aid that improves credit, stabilizes operations, and builds financial confidence. Such partnerships increase what any one group can accomplish, linking owners to the money, skills, and networks that turn goals into lasting results. Pooling resources creates shared strength." - Felipe Pinzón, President & CEO, Hispanic Unity of Florida

"Small businesses form the core of our local economy, yet many owners still meet obstacles when seeking capital. BRIDGE Broward focuses on opening doors, reinforcing companies, and promoting inclusive growth. We are glad to team with Wells Fargo Foundation, Ascendus, Prospera, and Hispanic Unity of Florida to connect more Broward entrepreneurs with the tools they need." - Dr. Germaine Smith-Baugh, Chairperson, Central County Community Development Corporation

ABOUT

About BRIDGE Broward
BRIDGE Broward, Broward Resources for Inclusive Development & Growth for Entrepreneurs, unites the Wells Fargo Foundation, Ascendus, and three local groups: Prospera, Hispanic Unity of Florida, and Urban League Central County Community Development Corporation. The program works to broaden fair access to capital, coaching, and networks for small business owners throughout Broward County.

About Ascendus
Ascendus is a nonprofit CDFI lender focused on financial progress for everyone. For more than 30 years, Ascendus has delivered over $420 million to more than 57,000 entrepreneurs nationwide - 78 percent of them women, immigrants, or entrepreneurs of color. Through funding, guidance, and alliances, Ascendus helps owners move from financial uncertainty to stability and growth. Learn more at ascendus.org. This Way Up.

About Prospera
Prospera is a nonprofit economic development group that since 1991 has offered bilingual support to entrepreneurs starting, running, or expanding businesses. In the past five years alone, Prospera helped secure $56.8 million in loans, trained more than 17,700 entrepreneurs, and supported clients in creating or keeping over 17,600 jobs. Prospera now serves Florida, North Carolina, and Georgia. Visit prosperausa.org for details.

About Hispanic Unity of Florida
Founded in 1982 by community leaders, Hispanic Unity of Florida assists immigrants and others with the transition to life here and the pursuit of opportunity. HUF stands as South Florida's largest 501(c)(3) nonprofit focused on the immigrant community, having served more than 618,000 people since launch. Through education, workforce programs, citizenship help, health services, and financial stability efforts, HUF supports self-sufficiency and engagement. See hispanicunity.org and follow @hispanicunity.

About the Central County Community Development Corporation
Central County Community Development Corporation, part of the Urban League of Broward County, is the only CDFI based in Broward County. Started in 1993 to support neighborhood renewal, CCCDC began small business lending in 2015 and earned CDFI status from the U.S. Department of the Treasury in 2020. It offers loans from $10,000 to $250,000 with flexible terms for minority and underserved businesses in Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach counties. Find more at cccdcorp.org and ulbroward.org.

Media contacts:
Myrna Sonora, press@prosperausa.org, (786) 329-5830
Gustavo Banchero, press@ascendus.org, (646) 506-4790

SOURCE Prospera