Since its inception, the CDFI Fund has been a staunch supporter of CDFIs like MEDA whose mission is focused on rebuilding and stabilizing some of the most impoverished and underserved communities across the country.
Thank you to our partners at Inclusive and CDBA for sharing data on CDFI Bank and CDFI Credit Union branch locations. In addition, about 100 of our CDFI Stories come from OFN’s story database.
Since its inception, the CDFI Fund has been a staunch supporter of CDFIs like MEDA whose mission is focused on rebuilding and stabilizing some of the most impoverished and underserved communities across the country.
Small businesses are the backbone of Main Streets across America, creating jobs, driving economic growth, and keeping communities strong. Yet, many small business owners-especially in rural areas and underserved markets- struggle to access the financing they need to start and grow. Traditional banks often overlook smaller-dollar loans, but CDFIs step in to fill that gap, providing the sub-$100K loans that small businesses rely on for working capital, equipment, and expansion. At LoanWell, we work with CDFIs to help them originate and deploy more small business loans efficiently, ensuring that capital reaches the local entrepreneurs who keep storefronts open, job opportunities growing, and communities thriving. More than 90% of CDFI small business loans are under $100K, making them one of the few reliable sources of funding for businesses that are too small for traditional banks but too big to rely on personal savings alone. The CDFI Fund is critical to making this lending possible, ensuring that CDFIs have the resources to meet the demand for responsible, small-dollar financing.
Native CDFIs are important to fixing the housing crisis in Indian Country. They are a way for Tribes to attract capital that leave Tribal members in control.
It is critical to the development of affordable housing. CDFIs work in areas other financial institutions are either unable to or unwilling to. CDFI loans really make an impact on effectively addressing the financial needs of low-income families.