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- Who can apply for financing? IFC invests in private enterprises: companies, financial institutions, and other businesses that are majority-owned by the private sector and that operate in IFC’s developing member countries. IFC does not lend directly to micro, small, and medium enterprises or individual entrepreneurs, but many of our investment clients are financial intermediaries that on-lend to smaller businesses. Many of IFC’s investments are provided in combination with advisory services. - What types of financing does IFC provide? In partnership with other investors, IFC provides clients with loans and intermediary services, loan participations, equity, structured finance, trade finance, risk management products, and subnational finance. IFC is providing a rapidly growing share of its financing in local currency. - Does IFC provide grants to individual companies? IFC provides a limited amount of grant funding to business initiatives that innovate in specific practice areas: biodiversity, sustainable energy, and corporate responsibility. Such grants are typically provided in much smaller amounts than IFC's investments, and the funding is intended to help recipients demonstrate the commercial viability of new approaches to sustainability. - I represent a private investor. Can we invest in IFC? IFC seeks partners for joint ventures and raises additional financing by encouraging other institutions to invest in IFC projects. Resource mobilization—catalyzing funds from private investors and lenders for private sector projects in developing countries—is one of IFC's most essential functions. The bonds that IFC issues to fund its operations are also an opportunity for investors; see investor information. IFC does not issue stock; it is owned by 181 member countries, each of which provided share capital when joining IFC. - Are there criteria my project must meet to be eligible for financing? Yes. To be eligible for IFC funding, a project must:
Visit the Web sites of IFC's Sector Departments to learn about the industries that qualify for IFC financing. The IFC Exclusion List defines the types of projects that IFC does not finance, including those that are hazardous to the environment or harmful to human health and well-being. - Is my country eligible to receive IFC financing? To receive IFC funding, the project must benefit a developing country that is a member of IFC. Projects in selected sectors, such as information technology, may be located in an industrialized country if the benefits primarily accrue to a developing country or countries. - What is the range of IFC's investments? IFC investments typically range from $1 million to $100 million, with a limited number of investments in the $100,000 to $1 million range. To ensure the participation of investors and lenders from the private sector, IFC typically finances no more than 25 percent of the total estimated project costs. - Are there guidelines for preparing and submitting an investment proposal? There is no standard application form for IFC financing. A company seeking to establish a new venture or expand an existing enterprise can approach IFC directly. This is best done by reading About IFC Financing, and by submitting an investment proposal. - Where do I submit my investment proposal? Proposals can be submitted to IFC's sector/industry departments; regional departments at IFC headquarters in Washington; or the IFC field office closest to the location of the proposed project. To determine the appropriate department to submit the proposal to, read more about IFC's corporate structure and investment operations. IFC's regional field offices contact information:
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