CNote profiles partner CDFIs and their successful borrowers like Linda Newman (pictured) owner of Points Unknown, an off-the-grid homestead and sled dog-based adventure company in northern Minnesota. She got a loan from The Entrepreneur Fund, a CNote partner CDFI. Blog post by CDFI Coalition Member Stacy Zielinski of CNote As a former loan officer for […]
Paul Anderson
Combating the Fragility of Hope
Guest blog post authored by John Holdsclaw IV, Chair of the CDFI Coalition. Across the country today, we observe the national holiday celebrating the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The King Center’s (located in Atlanta) theme and call to action for this year’s observance is “The Urgency of Creating the Beloved Community!” While […]
CDFIs and FQHCs Support Communities Most Affected by COVID-19
Blog post by CDFI Coalition Board Member Anne Dyjak The COVID-19 health crisis has impacted nearly every household and business in this country. The pandemic has particularly highlighted the health disparities prevalent in low-income communities, which have historically suffered from significantly higher rates of chronic disease and behavioral health issues. These same communities are now experiencing the […]
Our Souls are Rested
Blog post by CDFI Coalition Board Chair John Holdsclaw, IV Since I became the Board Chair of the Coalition of Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI Coalition), I have intended to write a blog post, but as they say, “sometimes life gets in the way.” As I have watched the civil unrest and cries of social justice […]
Mission-Driven Support for Small Business in Maine
Blog post by CDFI Coalition member Keith Bisson Small businesses are the core of Maine’s economy. In 2019, businesses defined by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) as “small” (with fewer than 500 employees) made up 99 percent of all Maine Business and employed over half of the State’s workforce. When the COVID-19 pandemic forced many small […]
CDFIs Helping Communities with Natural Disasters, the Pandemic, Sometimes Both
Blog post by CDFI Coalition member Marshall E. Crawford Less than a week before devastating tornadoes struck Tennessee, Ms. Natasha Lane had a conversation with her daughter about needing to renew her homeowner’s insurance. Then on March 3rd, 10 tornadoes touched down across the state, causing extensive damage to homes and businesses throughout the Nashville […]
Congress and COVID-19 Appropriations for CDFIs
Blog post author Bob Rapoza, CDFI Coalition Spokesperson We’ve all seen the devastating impact the coronavirus has had on the economy and small businesses nationwide, but particularly in low-income and minority communities. The average small business only has enough cash to survive 27 days and this is impacting employees and communities that depend on these […]
37 Senators Call for $1B in CDFI Fund Appropriations
Today, 37 Senators from both parties called for $1 billion in CDFI Fund appropriations. The text of their letter is below along with the full list of Senators who signed the letter. Senators Reed (D-RI) and Collins (R-ME) took the lead on the letter. List of signers: Senator Feinstein (CA) Senator Harris (CA) Senator Carper […]
Multitude of Organizations Urge Congress to Support $1 Billion in Funding to Assist Communities That Need it Most
More Than 500 Mission-Driven Lenders Call on Congress to Support $1 Billion for the CDFI Fund
