CDFIs have assisted lower income people as they begin to work towards achieving the American Dream
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 have assisted lower income people as they begin to work towards achieving the American Dream
I support CDFIs because they serve as economic first responders in their communities. Native and consumer loan funds, in particular, are instrumental in lifting our most vulnerable populations out of poverty. These CDFIs provide essential financial services and resources, offering a lifeline to individuals and families who might otherwise be excluded from traditional banking systems. By empowering them to become bankable again, CDFIs help create pathways to financial independence and long-term prosperity.
It has been proven over the decades that the CDFI industry has been mega critical to the flow of capital in this country, specifically in disinvested communities. By appropriating at least $354M for the CDFI Fund, this directly supports the deployment and capacity building of not only CDFIs but the millions of small businesses that hire and create jobs, erect infrastructure, rebuild neighborhood corridors, and partner across industries for improved quality of life. If we are serious about reducing the wealth gap for increased positive impacts, supporting CDFIs is extremely important.
CDFIs fill a critical void in funding the development of affordable housing. They provide below market interest rates, have flexible terms, and can respond to critical funding needs with more flexibility than a traditional bank/credit union.