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.
As a CDFI, we support areas that have had historical underinvestment and see a transformative impact to those communities over time. The CDFI fund has an excellent private investment track record that accompanies the Treasury investment, leveraging the funds at an $8 or more for every $1 from the CDFI fund. This helps incentivize investment in these communities, bringing greater prosperity to all and putting all Americans to work that can access these programs.
CDFI funds are frequently the only source of funding and lending available to small, scaled community-oriented development in Minneapolis. Without access to those opportunities companies like mine would not be able to accomplish our development goals and create mid-scale projects related to the arts and market rate affordable housing.
As the Chair of the Board I see the positive impacts of our lending and business advising daily. Our work is integral to the health and vibrancy of our local community. Our support of emerging entrepreneurs and small businesses looking to grow fills an existing gap in the private sector and provides accessible options for many businesses.
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.