Brightpoint Development Fund Awarded Grant to Expand Assistance for Entrepreneurs

August 21, 2025 | Fort Wayne, IN – Brightpoint Development Fund has been awarded $20,000 from First Merchants Bank to strengthen and expand its technical assistance programs for underserved entrepreneurs in Northeast Indiana over the coming year. This represents a significant increase from the $5,000 contribution provided by the bank last year, demonstrating their deepening commitment to Brightpoint Development Fund’s mission.

This enhanced investment addresses a vital gap in accessible, affordable capital and ongoing post-loan support for small businesses. With this funding, Brightpoint Development Fund can better support entrepreneurs with consistent guidance, ultimately improving repayment rates and fostering sustainable local business growth.

“First Merchants Bank’s increased support is a powerful endorsement of our mission to help underserved entrepreneurs succeed,” says Matt Crouch, Vice President of Community Economic Development for Brightpoint. “By quadrupling their investment this year, they are directly helping us provide the tools, resources, and guidance that local business owners need to grow and thrive.”

Founded in 2011, Brightpoint Development Fund, a subsidiary of Brightpoint, is a nonprofit organization that provides affordable business loans, financial education, and housing development services. It is a U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) micro lender and a U.S. Department of the Treasury Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI.)

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Brightpoint is a private, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization serving nearly 55,000 people across northeast Indiana each year. Through a wide range of programs, Brightpoint helps communities, families, and individuals remove the causes and conditions of poverty. All Brightpoint services are provided without regard to race, age, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, disability, national origin, ancestry, or status as a veteran.