{"ok":true,"canonical_url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/what-are-the-rules-for-using-gifted-family-funds-as-equity","api_url":"https://dealroom.so/api/public/questions/what-are-the-rules-for-using-gifted-family-funds-as-equity","question":"What are the rules for using gifted family funds as equity?","topic":"Gift/investor funds","audience":"borrower","bot_mode":"buyer","short_answer":"Yes, gifted funds from family members are permissible for an SBA 7(a) equity injection, provided they are truly a gift with no expectation of repayment and are properly documented.","rule":"The SBA allows gifts from family members to count as equity injection if the donor signs a gift letter explicitly stating the funds are a gift, no repayment is expected, and the donor has no ownership interest or control in the business. The funds must be transferred to the borrower's account.","example":"A buyer needs a $50,000 down payment. Their parent gifts them $40,000, and the buyer contributes $10,000 from savings. With a signed gift letter, the $40,000 qualifies.","what_lenders_check":"Lenders verify the gift letter's authenticity, ensure the funds have been properly transferred, and confirm there are no hidden repayment terms or undue influence from the donor.","required_facts":["Gift funds","Family members","No repayment","Gift letter","Documentation"],"source_families":["SOP 50 10 - Lender and Development Company Loan Programs","13 CFR Part 120 - Business Loans","7(a) Loan Program Terms, Conditions, and Eligibility"],"official_sources":[{"title":"SOP 50 10 - Lender and Development Company Loan Programs","url":"https://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/2025-05/SOP%2050%2010%208%20Technical%20Updates%20effective%206.1.2025.docx"},{"title":"13 CFR Part 120 - Business Loans","url":"https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-13/chapter-I/part-120"},{"title":"7(a) Loan Program Terms, Conditions, and Eligibility","url":"https://www.sba.gov/partners/lenders/7a-loan-program/terms-conditions-eligibility"}],"related_questions":[{"question":"How can a gift from a close family member contribute to my equity injection for a $600,000 business purchase?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/how-can-a-gift-from-a-close-family-member-contribute-to-my-equity-injection-for-a-600-000-"},{"question":"If my parents gift me $50,000 for a down payment, what specific documentation is required by the SBA?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/if-my-parents-gift-me-50-000-for-a-down-payment-what-specific-documentation-is-required-by"},{"question":"Can a corporate entity, not an individual, provide a gift that counts towards my equity injection for an SBA loan?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/can-a-corporate-entity-not-an-individual-provide-a-gift-that-counts-towards-my-equity-inje"},{"question":"Can a gift from a non-family investor count towards my SBA 7(a) equity injection?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/can-a-gift-from-a-non-family-investor-count-towards-my-sba-7-a-equity-injection"},{"question":"Can a non-profit organization provide a grant that counts towards my equity injection for an SBA 7(a) loan?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/can-a-non-profit-organization-provide-a-grant-that-counts-towards-my-equity-injection-for-"},{"question":"Can a gift from a non-family friend for $50,000 be used for my equity injection on an SBA 7(a) loan?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/can-a-gift-from-a-non-family-friend-for-50-000-be-used-for-my-equity-injection-on-an-sba-7"}],"related_terms":[{"term":"Gifted funds","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/gifted-funds"},{"term":"Gifted Equity","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/gifted-equity"},{"term":"Gift funds","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/gift-funds"},{"term":"Investor","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/investor"},{"term":"Gift","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/gift"},{"term":"ERISA Rules","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/erisa-rules"}],"related_tools":[{"name":"SBA 7(a) payment & fee calculator","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/calculator"},{"name":"Find an active SBA 7(a) lender","url":"https://dealroom.so/lenders"}],"data_freshness":{"last_reviewed":"2026-06-13","sba_rule_sources_checked_through":"2026-06-13"},"citation":{"label":"DealRoom.so SBA 7(a) Q&A","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/what-are-the-rules-for-using-gifted-family-funds-as-equity","source_type":"DealRoom Q&A"},"caveats":["Grounded in the current SBA rulebook; verify against official sources before relying on it for a live deal.","Not legal, tax, or financial advice and not an approval decision."]}