The RTPark Community Impact Fund (CIF) is a 501(c)(3) organization that operates as a separate entity and was created in 2021 by the UVI Research and Technology Park. The CIF addresses a critical challenge in the U.S. Virgin Islands: access to capital for local entrepreneurs, small businesses, and community-based organizations
The CIF continues to advance its mission to expand access to capital across the U.S. Virgin Islands through strategic community investments and the launch of the 2025-2026 St. Croix, St. Thomas, St. John Carnival Microloan Program, which provides microloans ranging from $2,500 to $15,000 to festival and carnival vendors. As the first emerging Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) in the territory, the CIF focuses on deploying mission-driven capital to strengthen healthcare, education, entrepreneurship, and long-term economic resilience.
“Programs like the RTPark Community Impact Fund turn good ideas into real opportunities for Virgin Islanders,” Governor Albert Bryan Jr. said. “These investments strengthen essential services, support youth and learning, and put timely, affordable capital in the hands of Carnival vendors and small businesses. This work keeps our culture strong, expands access to care, and helps our local economy grow year-round.”
The CIF recently made strategic investments in two critical community organizations:
• The Virgin Islands Healthcare Foundation received a loan for the Rural Health Clinic, which provides primary care and urgent care services. The investment supports the purchase of essential medical equipment, and the completion of the facility build-out, increasing access to life-sustaining healthcare services for residents.
• The Children’s Museum of St. Croix received a gap financing loan to purchase the building it has operated in Frederiksted for several years. Building ownership provides long-term operational stability and ensures the continued delivery of high-quality educational programming for Virgin Islands children and families.
“These investments reflect our commitment to strengthening the nonprofit sector as a driver of economic development and community wellbeing,” said Dr. Pat Morris, Executive Director of the RTPark Community Impact Fund. “Nonprofit organizations, like small businesses, require access to capital to sustain and grow their impact. CIF is proud to invest in institutions that are deeply rooted in our community.”
Building on its growing portfolio, the CIF is also announcing the launch of the 2026 St. Thomas Carnival Microloan Program, a continuation of its successful festival-based microlending initiative in collaboration with the VI Department of Tourism.
The program follows the strong outcomes of the Crucian Christmas Festival Microloan Program introduced in November 2025, which provided fast, flexible capital to nine festival vendors and identified 11 entrepreneurs who qualify for our loan-ready grant program and benefit from additional technical assistance and capacity building to become loan-ready.
The St. Thomas Carnival Microloan Program will provide financing to help Carnival vendors, artisans, food operators, creatives, and small business owners prepare for one of the Virgin Islands’ most significant cultural and economic events.
“The Crucian Christmas Festival Loan Program was successful on two fronts,” Dr. Morris noted. “We supported local entrepreneurs who are the backbone of our cultural celebrations, and we identified business owners who need additional capacity-building support. We are committed to helping them strengthen their businesses so they can qualify for future microloan opportunities.”
The CIF also plans to offer similar financing opportunities aligned with the St. John Carnival in July, ensuring equitable access to capital across St. Croix, St. Thomas, and St. John. We also expect to provide additional small loans to other small businesses.
For more information, contact info@cifvi.org or call us at 340-249-0740.
About the RTPark Community Impact Fund
The RTPark Community Impact Fund (CIF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to driving inclusive economic growth in the U.S. Virgin Islands through mission-driven capital solutions, technical assistance, and community partnerships. CIF invests in strengthening local businesses and expanding opportunities for entrepreneurship, wealth-building, and economic resilience throughout the territory.
