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.
CDFIs make a difference in people’s lives and in our communities. They encourage development and entrepreneurship that amplifies beyond the appropriations requested. Investing in the CDFI fund is an important investment that brings real, tangible results.
CDFIs are absolutely critical to provide funds for residential and business loans which grow our economy.
[The CDFI Fund is an] incredibly important economic development agent that helps all small businesses across the country to grow, create jobs, become bankable and strengthen our economy.
Native CDFIs are a critical/integral part of the financing infrastructure in Native communities and they make the most important investments and achieve the most impressive impacts in Native communities. They are directly responsible for enhancing financial literacy/capability, for creating access to capital, for increasing homeownership and building homes, and for providing technical and financial support for entrepreneurs and businesses. Even when traditional banks operate in or near Native communities, they often lack the understanding of the Native culture and complexities of providing financial services in Indian Country. Native CDFIs have emerged to help address the credit and capital challenges and provide Native communities and residents with an alternative to mainstream banks. Our Native CDFI, Four Directions Development Corporation has been a tremendous asset to the Native communities in Maine. We started out with $250,000 in capital in 2002 and over the past twenty + years, Four Directions has lent out over $25 million in capital to first-time homebuyers, new and emerging entrepreneurs and businesses, for tribal community development such as tribal wellness centers, family housing, elder housing and community facilities and infrastructure. Native CDFIs are a fundamental aspect of tribal development, a critical strategic financing partner for building a robust and sustainable economy in Indian communities nationwide.