Advisory Services

Allocation Strategy & Deal Positioning

NMTC transactions are not won through process execution alone. They are won through disciplined structure, credible positioning, and alignment with allocation priorities.

We focus on the decisions that determine whether a project will compete — not just whether it can be completed.

Competitive Assessment

Is this project actually competitive for NMTC allocation?

— Distress strength — not just eligibility, but competitive positioning within allocation pools
— Use of proceeds clarity and alignment with CDE priorities
— Sponsor credibility and track record as underwriting factors
— Timeline realism relative to CDE deployment schedules
— Likely CDE reception given geographic focus, sector, and deal size

Capital Stack Discipline

Where deals quietly fail.

— Gap sizing vs. reality — subsidy need that survives scrutiny
— Leverage assumptions and lender coordination risk
— Subsidy justification and sources/uses integrity
— Structure simplicity vs. complexity trade-offs
— Execution risk identification before CDE outreach begins

Deal Positioning

How the project will be interpreted.

— Narrative coherence and internal consistency
— Impact clarity — specific and credible, not performative
— Policy alignment with allocation priorities of target CDEs
— Risk framing — acknowledging real risks rather than obscuring them
— Sponsor presentation and deal team credibility

Market Preparation

Before outreach begins.

— Materials that reflect how CDEs actually evaluate deals
— Structuring clarity — no ambiguity that creates downstream problems
— Anticipation of objections before they arise in CDE conversations
— Internal consistency across sources/uses, narrative, and timeline

Transaction Support

We remain engaged through closing and into the compliance period where needed. Structuring decisions made early have long tails — we stay involved to make sure execution reflects the positioning work that preceded it.

— CDE coordination and term sheet evaluation
— Due diligence support and legal team coordination
— Compliance monitoring through the 7-year credit period
— Year-7 exit strategy and unwind coordination

Engagement

How We Work

We work with clients at whatever stage makes sense for the project. Some engagements begin before any CDE outreach has been attempted. Others begin after early conversations have stalled and a sponsor needs to understand why — and what it would take to move forward.

A typical engagement proceeds in sequence: competitive assessment first, to determine whether the project is a viable candidate and where it stands relative to current allocation market conditions; then capital stack review and structural work; then positioning and market preparation; then CDE outreach support through to term sheet and transaction execution.

Not every engagement follows that full arc. Some clients need a focused assessment at a specific point. Others need ongoing advisory through a complex, multi-phase transaction. We structure engagements around what the project actually needs — not around a standard service package.

Scope

What This Is Not

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We are not a CDE

We hold no allocation authority and do not make QLICI loans. Our role is advisory — positioning you to work effectively with the CDEs that do.
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We are not a broker

We do not receive referral fees or placement fees from CDEs, lenders, or investors. Our advice is not shaped by a deal pipeline or a financial relationship with any transaction counterparty.
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We are not a generalist advisor

This practice is exclusively focused on NMTC. We do not offer general community development finance advisory, grant consulting, or other financing services.
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We do not guarantee allocation

No advisor can guarantee that a project will receive NMTC allocation. We improve your competitive position and your chances of a successful outcome — that is the honest scope of what advisory work can do.