{"ok":true,"canonical_url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/religious-organization","api_url":"https://dealroom.so/api/public/glossary/religious-organization","data_freshness":{"sba_records_through":"2026-05-31","fdic_records_through":"2026-03-31","dealroom_last_updated":"2026-06-15","timezone":"America/Chicago"},"source_summary":["Public SBA 7(a) loan records","FDIC institution data","DealRoom lender and franchise enrichment"],"term":{"slug":"religious-organization","term":"Religious organization","group":"The loan itself","definition":"Businesses or organizations whose primary purpose is religious teaching, worship, or proselytization are generally ineligible for SBA loans.","what_it_means":"If you're looking at a business with a religious affiliation, the key is whether it operates as a secular for-profit entity providing goods or services to the public, or if its primary mission is religious. Most churches, synagogues, and mosques are ineligible. Some religiously-affiliated businesses might be eligible if they meet specific criteria.","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/religious-organization","official_sources":[{"slug":"13-cfr-part-120","title":"13 CFR Part 120 — Business Loans","official_url":"https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-13/chapter-I/part-120","official_label":"View on eCFR","authority_tier":1,"publisher":"Office of the Federal Register","source_guide_url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/sources/13-cfr-part-120"}],"related":[{"slug":"ineligible-businesses-rule","term":"Ineligible businesses rule","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/ineligible-businesses-rule"},{"slug":"non-profit-organization","term":"Non-profit organization","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/non-profit-organization"},{"slug":"gambling-business","term":"Gambling business","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/gambling-business"},{"slug":"speculative-investment","term":"Speculative investment","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/speculative-investment"}],"related_questions":[{"question":"What are the specific requirements for a religious organization's business arm to be 7(a) eligible?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/what-are-the-specific-requirements-for-a-religious-organization-s-business-arm-to-be-7-a-e"},{"question":"Can a non-profit organization receive an SBA 7(a) loan?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/can-a-non-profit-organization-receive-an-sba-7-a-loan"},{"question":"Can a non-profit organization qualify for an SBA 7(a) loan?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/can-a-non-profit-organization-qualify-for-an-sba-7-a-loan"},{"question":"Can a non-profit organization receive an SBA 7(a) loan for their activities?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/can-a-non-profit-organization-receive-an-sba-7-a-loan-for-their-activities"},{"question":"Can a non-profit organization provide a grant that counts towards my equity injection?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/can-a-non-profit-organization-provide-a-grant-that-counts-towards-my-equity-injection"},{"question":"Can a non-profit organization apply for an SBA 7(a) loan for their operations?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/can-a-non-profit-organization-apply-for-an-sba-7-a-loan-for-their-operations"}]},"caveats":["Definitions represent DealRoom's plain-English interpretation for buyers; verify regulatory terms against the official SBA and eCFR sources listed.","Not legal, tax, or financial advice, and not an SBA eligibility determination."],"citation":{"label":"DealRoom.so Glossary — Religious organization","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/religious-organization","source_type":"DealRoom Data"}}