September 2015 Stories and Data

Built to Scale: Designing a Business with Scale in Mind
St. John Manor
Catonsville CO-OP brings together food, community, and local businesses
A Grand Opening Like No Other

Testimonials

CDFIs support small businesses in ways that traditional financial partners are unable to. From flexible financing that supports growth, stabilize operations, and boosts local employment, to providing advice in all areas of business managements, to being there for the business owners as humans whenever needed. CDFIs are integral to the well-functioning of the financial system and of the economy as a whole.

-Amine Benali, Local Enterprise Assistance Fund – LEAF, Boston, MA 02135, MA

CDFIs are needed throughout the country to help people make their dreams come true by becoming a homeowner.

-Colleen Steele, Mazaska Owecaso Otipi Financial Inc., Pine, SD

CDFIs provide responsible and affordable loans to individuals, businesses, and organizations that are unable to obtain financing from conventional banks – not because they aren’t worthy of a loan, but because their risk profile doesn’t fit the more rigid criteria used by conventional banks. This is an essential service for making sure loan capital reaches deserving borrowers with unconventional loan applications. And because CDFIs disburse loans instead of grants, they offer a sustainable solution to financing and teach borrowers how to manage budgets and pay back their loans.

-Lance Loethen, Tract Advisors, LLC, Stockton, NJ