In the early 1980s, our Founder, Frank Edward Crump, co-founded a manufacturing company that grew into one of the top 100 Black businesses in America. He then launched United Progress International, a venture built to bring top athletes and entertainers together as investors in underserved communities — an idea ahead of its time.
Mr. Crump went on to build an international business career, spending more than 20 years in Asia as Director, Western Asia Pacific, based in Singapore and Thailand, leading new business development across Thailand, India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.
He never let go of the original idea. In 2004, back in America, he founded UPI Education around his own copyrighted curriculum, Life Skills Solutions™. After 18 years of training families and communities, the next step was clear: they needed capital, not just tools. That’s when UPI Loan Fund was formed — to provide compassionate lending and transform capitalism into humanism
Imagine being shipwrecked on a desolate island. What would we do? We’d ask who can hunt, who can fish, who can build shelter, who can cook — and build upon the strengths already among us. Slowly, a community would take shape. Then a city. A state. A country. Eventually, boats — and commerce with other islands. We would survive, and then we would thrive, on our own accord. That is the metaphor upon which UPI was born in the 1980s. UPILF is its embodiment today.
The UPI Loan Fund (UPILF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that plays a critical role in driving economic growth and development in underserved low- to moderate-income communities across the United States, with a particular focus on communities of color.
Established in 2018, Frank E. Crump began developing strategic and financial partnerships and applying for his 501(c)(3) nonprofit status. The fund originated as an alternative to predatory lending, with the goal of expanding economic opportunity, increasing financial mobility, and building community-level wealth across underserved populations nationwide.
Imagine being shipwrecked on a desolate island. What would we do? We’d ask who can hunt, who can fish, who can build shelter, who can cook — and build upon the strengths already among us. Slowly, a community would take shape. Then a city. A state. A country. Eventually, boats — and commerce with other islands. We would survive, and then we would thrive, on our own accord.
That is the metaphor upon which UPI was born in the 1980s. UPILF is its embodiment today.
Founded: 2020 · Pilot: 2020–2025 · CDFI certification: 2023
UPI Loan Fund (UPILF) was founded in 2020 as an alternative to predatory lending, with a clear goal: expand economic opportunity, increase financial mobility, and build community-level wealth in underserved communities nationwide. Frank E. Crump began developing the strategic and financial partnerships behind the Fund and secured its 501(c)(3) nonprofit status.
Today, UPILF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and U.S. Treasury-certified Community Development Financial Institution, headquartered in Arizona with a companion office in Maryland. That certification matters: it’s a federal designation that opens doors to institutional and bank capital a typical nonprofit simply can’t access on its own. It’s what allows UPILF to carry the Six Initiatives and the $60 million Phase II Capital Raise as an institution, not just a loan fund.
Today the UPI Loan Fund (UPILF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and U.S. Treasury-certified Community Development Financial Institution driving economic growth in underserved low- to moderate-income communities across the United States, with a particular focus on communities of color. UPILF is headquartered in Arizona with a companion office in Maryland. UPILF’s CDFI certification means more, because it’s a federal designation that unlocks doors to institutional and bank capital that a typical nonprofit simply can’t access on its own.
The first five years since the Fund’s inception — 2020 through 2025 — were executed as a Pilot: a deliberate $575,000 test of viability and a chance to build the infrastructure required to succeed at scale. That period is behind us. The model works. UPILF is ready to grow through a $60 million Phase II Capital Raise.
UPILF’s Board of Advisors was hand-picked for the specific expertise and influence needed to build this ecosystem — spanning lending, housing, law, education, healthcare, faith-based leadership, behavioral science, workforce development, athletics, public relations, and community development.
UPILF’s ecosystem organizes specialized leaders and partner organizations into grant-ready, impact-driven initiatives — each with defined programs, measurable outcomes, and dedicated funding pathways. These are not divisions absorbing other organizations; they are coordinated centers of excellence under a shared mission. Each partner retains its own identity, governance, and leadership while drawing on UPILF’s CDFI infrastructure, grant eligibility, and community development expertise.
Led by Tim Smoot (President) and Anthony Williams (Vice President). Formerly Meridian Management Group, with 30 years of urban and rural lending experience. Manages MSBDFA ($239M+ to 761 businesses since 1995) and MCBIF ($31M+ to 145 businesses since 2014) under the Maryland Department of Commerce.
Led by James Smith. Scalable modular housing manufacturing, up to 70% faster and 30% less costly than traditional construction. Ten manufacturing sites planned nationally; 65,000+ units targeted by 2030.
Landmark agreement bringing Singapore’s national behavioral financial literacy program to the U.S., delivering free, unbiased financial education across schools, workplaces, and communities.
Led by Mambu Sherman. Venture platform accelerating minority- and women-led real estate developers, targeting a $15–30M initial close scaling to $100–150M.
Led by Tanya Hughes, author of the forthcoming Suddenly CEO (August 2026). Equips athletes with entrepreneurial and business-ownership pathways beyond NIL.An alliance partner leading the NIL Initiative.
Led by Kevin Jordan. Pairs physical performance training with financial and career advisory services for professional and NIL athletes. An alliance partner leading the NIL Initiative.
Led by Jo-Ná Williams. Low-to-no-interest loans ($2,500–$10,000) removing economic barriers for Black law students preparing for the bar exam; goal of raising first-time bar passage rates from 58% to 70% annually.
Led by Michelle Dukes, President, preparing for a 2026 public offering in the premium and super-premium spirits segment
Led by Safeer Hopton. 100% member-owned, with a Prosperity Cash Rewards™ Digital Wallet offering up to 20% cash back reinvestable into local communities.
Led by Anthony Ivy, President. First nationally scalable Black American grocery brand, flagship in Chicago, addressing a $340B Black food spending market projected by McKinsey for 2030.
Founded by Marva Morris, the first African American woman in the energy drink marketplace and an approved Walmart supplier.
Founded by Abdu Dandridge, an independent filmmaker, producer of Pressure (2007) distributed in 50+ countries; current pipeline includes LUNA and a producing project with retired NBA All-Star Tom Chambers
Founded by Heather J. Taylor, the production company creates content with a conscious under a five-pillar mission for education, health and wellness, food insecurity, human rights and social justice.
| Partner | Services | UpILF Support |
|---|---|---|
| Take Charge America | Financial education, credit counseling, debt management | Program partnership, client referrals |
| Wall Street Bound | Career readiness, stock market mentorship, finance careers | Sponsorships, scholarships, tech platforms |
| Krempl Communications | Developmental & transformational programs for executives | Campaign funding, analytics, corporate introductions |
| NEST CT | Community services, first-time homebuyer support, education | Lead generation, co-branded outreach |
| Services of Hope | At-risk youth; first-time homebuyer; social services | Grants/loans, tech infrastructure, expansion support |
| Earn to Learn | Student loan repayment, financial coaching | Funding for coaching, outcome tracking, literacy partnerships |
| Scullion & Peng Law Group | Legal immigration services | Pro bono funding, business-network access |
| Mad Hat Maven | Full-service comms, PR, brand strategy, web development | Production, fundraisers, events, media outreach |
| ProLiving Life | Wellness coaching, life skills, holistic health, financial literacy | Program funding, co-branded literacy training |
| Local First AZ | Small-business support and ecosystem building | Funding for initiatives, mentorship, operational tech |
| Earl Jones Institute | Nonprofit arts & entertainment (Robert Earl Jones, est. 1983) | Program growth funding and scaling guidance |
| Dream Smart Behavioral Solutions | Behavioral health services | Lead generation, client-tracking, co-branded outreach |
| The Future Is Now Initiative | Support for grandparents raising grandchildren | Program growth funding and scaling guidance |
| Economic Emancipation Monetary Fund | Financial literacy, life skills, wealth building, ancestry tools | Program growth funding and scaling guidance |
Dr. Jay Radke (grant strategy — formerly awarded $4.5B+ annually in NIH research grants), Tim Smoot, Anthony Williams, Kevin Taylor, Stanley Tucker (MMG), Lesli Pintor, Ellen Friedman Sacks, Pastor Warren H. Stewart Sr., Pastor Aubrey Barnwell, Dr. Gregory Spencer, Troy Prince, Craig Stover, Dr. Wayne Weiner, Michael Tucker, Carmen West, Dr. Matthew Whitaker, Jo-Ná Williams, Judge Joe Brown, Tanya Hughes, Kevin Jordan, John Wooten (Honorary Chairman), Ray Ellis, Charlie Weatherspoon, Ben Scott, James Smith, Mambu Sherman, Dr. Venita Kelley, Hamza Reed, Heather J. Taylor.
UPILF operates as a disciplined capital deployment platform, aggregating institutional, philanthropic, and private capital and channeling it through six strategic initiatives, each delivered through formal alliance agreements.
Affordable, workforce, veteran, and disaster-recovery housing through modular innovation and community developer capacity building, in alliance with SOW Modular and Calpe Inc. UPILF provides CDFI infrastructure and community finance expertise; partners provide execution.
empowerment framework for professional and NIL student-athletes and their families — not another NIL platform. The NIL Initiative equips NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, and NIL student-athletes to convert opportunity into generational wealth. It is led by alliance partners Sportspreneurs Inc. (Tanya Hughes), Sports Balance Inc. (Kevin Jordan), and Pro Sports Legacy (Ray Ellis and Charlie Weatherspoon), with John Wooten, UPILF Board of Advisors Honorary Chairman. It is the realization of Frank E. Crump’s original 1980s vision of athletes and entertainers investing in their communities.
Led by Pastor Warren H. Stewart Sr., Senior Pastor Emeritus of First Institutional Baptist Church, this initiative leverages national church relationships to bring affordable loans, low-interest loans, financial literacy, affordable housing, and food security to congregations and faith communities. Programs include church-sponsored housing financing, financial wellness programming, and church-based food access support alongside partners like Uncle May’s Grocery.
World-class behavioral financial literacy training through a landmark agreement with Singapore’s MoneySense program, bringing proven, interactive financial education to underserved communities across all age groups. Financial literacy is woven into every initiative and paired with every loan UPILF makes.
In alliance with Pillars of Change Media, this initiative supports economic mobility in underserved communities, addresses injustices in our court systems, and promotes financial wellness through advocacy, storytelling, and global programming.
Through the UPILF/MMG Institutional Alliance, deploying capital and technical assistance to small businesses in underserved communities, backed by 30 years of urban and rural lending experience and $239M+ deployed through Maryland programs alone.
A loan without financial education is incomplete. UPILF combines affordable capital with world-class financial literacy programming — equipping individuals and families with the knowledge to build lasting wealth.
Access free webinars through Enterprise Bank University covering business fundamentals, financial management, and entrepreneurship — no cost, no barriers.
Professional credit counseling through Take Charge America helps you understand your credit score, manage debt, and build a stronger financial foundation.
UPILF partners with community organizations to deliver in-person and virtual financial literacy workshops across America.
UPILF reports against a standardized outcomes framework every year:
Request more information, audited financials, Form 990, impact reporting, and/or a tailored proposal.
