The Vermont Community Loan Fund is a private, nonprofit community development financial institution (CDFI), founded in 1987. VCLF's Housing and Community Facilities Program provides below-market rate loans to nonprofit housing developers and community service providers for affordable housing and community services designed for Vermonters earning 80% of median income or less. Loans from VCLF's Business Lending Program are for small businesses that will increase economic opportunities for lower-income and or underemployed Vermonters, create or save jobs, or add value to Vermont’s agricultural or natural resources economy.

In 2000, VCLF launched an initiative to help raise the quality of childcare in Vermont through the financing of improvements to home and center based facilities. Loans have ranged in size from $1,700 to $169,000 with interest rates at or below market rate. Using grant funds, VCLF tailors the interest rate based on the service provided: the greater number of children from low-income families, the lower the rate.