In 2007, The Loan Fund’s influence extended beyond its own lending as it began mentoring emerging community lenders and solidifying key local partnerships. That year, The Loan Fund signed a memorandum of understanding to guide and train the founders of Bik’eh Hozho, a new loan program for Navajo-owned small businesses in Tuba City, Arizona. By sharing its expertise with Navajo Nation leaders, The Loan Fund helped plant the seeds for a sister CDFI across the state line, reflecting a spirit of collaboration and cultural respect. Back in New Mexico, the City of Santa Fe renewed its contract with The Loan Fund in 2007 to continue managing Santa Fe’s Small Business Development Loan Fund (which The Loan Fund had been running since 2003). By this point, the Santa Fe fund had issued 48 loans totaling over $850,000, helping create or retain 169 jobs in the capital city. The year also brought more growth capital: NMSBIC extended an additional $2 million to The Loan Fund, bringing the state’s total investment to $3.5 million for lending in New Mexico. On the eve of an economic downturn, The Loan Fund had positioned itself as a resilient, multi-faceted partner, mentoring native entrepreneurs, managing local government loan programs, and marshalling public dollars, all in service of its mission to uplift New Mexican communities.