# ChurchLend — Church Loan Readiness Platform
> ChurchLend is the first technology-first church lending readiness platform. We help churches understand their loan readiness, compare lenders, discover grants, and connect with the right financing partner — all for free.

## Core Tools
- [Church Loan Readiness Assessment](https://churchlend.com/assessment): Free assessment scoring churches on 7 factors lenders evaluate. Produces a 0-100 readiness score with coaching tips.
- [Church Loan Payment Calculator](https://churchlend.com/calculators/church-loan-payment): Calculate monthly payments for church loans across different terms and rates.
- [Church DSCR Calculator](https://churchlend.com/calculators/church-debt-service-coverage-ratio): Calculate debt service coverage ratio — the #1 factor lenders evaluate.
- [Church LTV Calculator](https://churchlend.com/calculators/church-loan-to-value): Calculate loan-to-value ratio for church property financing.
- [Church Affordability Calculator](https://churchlend.com/calculators/church-loan-affordability): Determine how much your church can borrow based on income and expenses.
- [Church Refinance Savings Calculator](https://churchlend.com/calculators/church-refinance-savings): Compare current vs. new rate to estimate annual savings.
- [Church Capital Campaign Calculator](https://churchlend.com/calculators/church-capital-campaign): Calculate campaign goals based on loan targets and LTV requirements.

## Loan Type & Financial Guides
- [Church Construction Loans](https://churchlend.com/church-construction-loans): Complete guide to financing new church construction and building projects.
- [Church Refinancing](https://churchlend.com/church-refinancing-loans): When and how to refinance your church mortgage for better rates or terms.
- [Church Real Estate](https://churchlend.com/church-real-estate-loans): Guide to purchasing church property and commercial real estate for congregations.
- [Church Mortgage](https://churchlend.com/church-mortgage): Understanding church mortgages — how they differ from residential and commercial loans.
- [Church Renovation Loans](https://churchlend.com/church-renovation-loans): Financing improvements, expansions, and facility upgrades.
- [Church Debt Consolidation](https://churchlend.com/church-debt-consolidation): Combine multiple church loans into one lower payment.
- [Church Capital Campaigns](https://churchlend.com/church-capital-campaigns): Fund your vision with pledges and campaign planning.
- [Church Investment Funds & CDs](https://churchlend.com/church-investment-funds): Compare CDs, money market accounts, and investment funds from extension funds and faith-based institutions.
- [Church Insurance](https://churchlend.com/church-insurance): Property, liability, workers comp, D&O, and umbrella coverage guide for churches.
- [Church Retirement Plans & Pastor IRAs](https://churchlend.com/church-retirement-plans): 403(b)(9) plans, pastor IRAs, housing allowance in retirement, and denomination pension programs.

## Lender Directory & Comparisons
- [Church Lender Directory](https://churchlend.com/lenders): Compare partnered church lenders including extension funds, credit unions, and banks.
- [Best Church Lenders](https://churchlend.com/best-church-lenders): Ranked comparison of top church lenders by type, denomination, and loan size.
- [Church Extension Funds](https://churchlend.com/church-extension-funds): Denomination-affiliated lending — how extension funds work and who they serve.
- [Church Credit Unions](https://churchlend.com/church-credit-unions): Faith-based credit unions that offer church financing.
- [Church Loan Brokers](https://churchlend.com/church-loan-brokers): When a broker helps and how church loan brokering works.
- [Banks for Church Loans](https://churchlend.com/banks-for-church-loans): Commercial banks that lend to churches and what they require.
- [Church Loan Qualification](https://churchlend.com/church-loan-qualification): How churches qualify — requirements, who signs, and pre-qualification guidance.
- [Church Loan Rates Today](https://churchlend.com/church-loan-rates-today): Live rate data from Federal Reserve benchmarks with estimated church lending rate ranges.

## Grant Database
- [Church Grants Database](https://churchlend.com/grants): Search federal, state, denomination, and foundation grants available to churches — filter by state, denomination, and purpose. Updated weekly.
- [Church Construction Grants](https://churchlend.com/grants/purpose/construction): Grants for church construction projects.
- [Church Renovation Grants](https://churchlend.com/grants/purpose/renovation): Grants for church renovation and repair projects.

## State Guides
- [Church Loans by State](https://churchlend.com/church-loans): Find lenders, rates, market context, and regulatory requirements for all 50 US states. Individual state pages live at /church-loans/{state} (e.g. /church-loans/california, /church-loans/texas).
- [Best Church Lenders by State](https://churchlend.com/best-church-lenders/california): Ranked lender comparisons for the largest states — also Texas, Florida, New York, Georgia, and others at /best-church-lenders/{state}.

## Denomination Guides
- [Baptist Church Loans](https://churchlend.com/guides/baptist): Lending guide for Southern Baptist and independent Baptist congregations.
- [Non-Denominational Church Loans](https://churchlend.com/guides/non-denominational): Financing options for independent and non-denominational churches.
- [Methodist Church Loans](https://churchlend.com/guides/methodist): Lending through Cornerstone Fund and alternatives for United Methodist churches.
- [Pentecostal Church Loans](https://churchlend.com/guides/pentecostal): AGFinancial and lending options for Assemblies of God and Pentecostal congregations.
- [Lutheran Church Loans](https://churchlend.com/guides/lutheran): LCEF, Thrivent, and lending for LCMS, ELCA, and independent Lutheran churches.
- [Catholic Parish Loans](https://churchlend.com/guides/catholic): Diocesan lending and financing for Catholic parishes and institutions.

## Educational Resources
- [How Church Loans Work](https://churchlend.com/resources/how-church-loans-work): Complete guide to the church lending process from application to closing.
- [How to Get a Church Loan](https://churchlend.com/resources/how-to-get-a-church-loan): Step-by-step guide to qualifying for church financing.
- [Church Loan Requirements](https://churchlend.com/resources/church-loan-requirements): What lenders look for in a church loan application.
- [Church DSCR Explained](https://churchlend.com/resources/church-dscr-explained): Understanding debt service coverage ratio for church borrowers.
- [Church LTV Ratio Explained](https://churchlend.com/resources/church-ltv-ratio-explained): Loan-to-value ratio guide for church property financing.
- [Church Construction Loan Guide](https://churchlend.com/resources/church-construction-loan-guide): Step-by-step guide to financing new church construction.
- [Church Construction Timeline & Budget](https://churchlend.com/resources/church-construction-timeline-budget): Realistic planning guide with costs and timelines.
- [Church Refinancing Complete Guide](https://churchlend.com/resources/church-refinancing-complete-guide): When and how to refinance your church mortgage.
- [How Long Does a Church Loan Take](https://churchlend.com/resources/how-long-church-loan-close): Timeline guide from application to closing.
- [What Is a Church Extension Fund](https://churchlend.com/resources/what-is-church-extension-fund): Guide to denomination-affiliated lending programs.
- [How to Choose a Church Lender](https://churchlend.com/resources/how-to-choose-church-lender): Decision framework for comparing lender types.
- [Best Church Lenders in California](https://churchlend.com/best-church-lenders/california): Ranked comparison of top lenders serving California churches.
- [Church Mortgage Rates 2026](https://churchlend.com/resources/church-mortgage-rates-2026): Current rate environment and strategies for the best rate.
- [First-Time Church Buyer's Guide](https://churchlend.com/resources/first-time-church-buyers-guide): How to purchase a church building.
- [Small Church Loans Under $500K](https://churchlend.com/resources/small-church-loans-under-500k): Financing options for smaller congregations.
- [Megachurch vs Small Church Financing](https://churchlend.com/resources/megachurch-vs-small-church-financing): Key differences in how lenders evaluate by size.
- [Church Debt Warning Signs](https://churchlend.com/resources/church-debt-warning-signs-solutions): Warning signs, solutions, and when to seek help.
- [Church Insurance Complete Guide](https://churchlend.com/resources/church-insurance-complete-guide): Property, liability, and coverage essentials.
- [Church Budgeting Guide](https://churchlend.com/resources/church-budgeting-financial-planning): Financial planning for growing congregations.
- [How to Run a Capital Campaign](https://churchlend.com/resources/how-to-run-church-capital-campaign): Planning and executing a successful church campaign.
- [Church Grants Guide](https://churchlend.com/resources/church-grants-how-to-find-apply): How to find and apply for church grant funding.
- [Church Investment Funds vs Bank CDs](https://churchlend.com/resources/church-investment-funds-vs-bank-cds): Comparing faith-aligned investment options.
- [Pastor Retirement Planning](https://churchlend.com/resources/pastor-retirement-planning-403b9-guide): 403(b)(9) guide for clergy retirement.
- [Church Tax Exemption Guide](https://churchlend.com/resources/church-tax-exemption-property-taxes): Property taxes and 501(c)(3) status explained.
- [Church Building Maintenance](https://churchlend.com/resources/church-building-maintenance-costs): Costs, planning, and common pitfalls.

## Reference & Company
- [Church Lending Glossary](https://churchlend.com/glossary): Definitions of 40+ church-lending terms — LTV, DSCR, balloon payment, draw schedule, amortization, and more.
- [FAQ](https://churchlend.com/faq): Common questions about church loans, the readiness assessment, and how ChurchLend works.
- [Scoring Methodology](https://churchlend.com/methodology): How the readiness assessment scores churches on the 7 factors lenders evaluate.
- [About ChurchLend](https://churchlend.com/about-us): Who we are, how the platform works, and our referral model.

## Legal
- [Privacy Policy](https://churchlend.com/privacy-policy): How we collect, use, and protect your information.
- [Terms of Service](https://churchlend.com/terms-of-service): Terms and conditions for using ChurchLend.

## Key Facts
- 370,000 churches in the United States
- $2 billion+ in annual church loan originations
- ChurchLend assesses churches on 7 factors: LTV, DSCR, organizational stability, cash reserves, congregation size, giving trends, and capital campaign status
- Most church lenders require DSCR of 1.25x or higher and LTV of 75% or lower
- Church loans are business-purpose, non-residential — exempt from RESPA, HMDA, and TILA/Reg Z
- ChurchLend is a referral platform, not a lender. We earn revenue when matched loans close.