- Details
- By Brian Edwards
- Finance
Impact investor Mission Driven Finance has closed $1.2 million in financing connected to New Mexico, with loans to three businesses, including a Native woman-owned construction company based in Pueblo de San Ildefonso.
About $500,000 of the capital was deployed through Advance New Mexico, a Mission Driven Finance-managed fund designed for New Mexico-based businesses that do not qualify for conventional bank, SBA or microloan financing. The remaining $700,000 was invested through Advance California, another Mission Driven Finance fund, in a California-based company that anticipates operations in New Mexico, according to the firm. Mission Driven Finance declined to identify that borrower.
One of the New Mexico recipients was Avanyu LLC. Avanyu, led by CEO Liana Sanchez, an enrolled member of the Pueblo de San Ildefonso, received approximately $225,000 to expand its production of traditional adobe bricks and acquire specialized equipment. The Avanyu financing was structured as a 50/50 participation between Advance New Mexico and Mission Driven Finance’s Indigenous Futures Fund, according to a spokesperson for Mission Driven Finance. No other lending partners were involved in the transaction.
The financing supports Avanyu’s role in the expansion of the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum in Santa Fe and builds on the company’s earlier work with tribal housing authorities and culturally specific construction projects.
Two additional New Mexico-based borrowers also received loans through Advance New Mexico. Medi-Connect, a non-emergency medical transportation provider serving rural and tribal communities in Sandoval County, used the capital to purchase ambulances, medical supplies and hire additional emergency medical technicians. CTRL+P Inc., which operates the digital news outlet nm.news, refinanced high-interest debt, freeing up monthly cash flow for staffing and technology investments.
Mission Driven Finance said Advance New Mexico loans carry an 11.5% interest rate, terms ranging from three to 60 months and a 2.5% closing fee. Advance California loans are priced similarly, with shorter terms, and are backed by the Community Reinvestment Fund. An institutional investor supporting Advance New Mexico was not disclosed.
The firm said it has maintained a dedicated staff presence in New Mexico since 2024 to work through local relationships rather than duplicate existing efforts. “The best impact happens when capital works with local knowledge and relationships,” said Crystal Sevilla, senior manager of borrower services.
Mission Driven Finance is also expanding Native access to capital through its Indigenous Futures Fund, alongside market research focused on child care and other community-serving sectors, according to a news release.
