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.
I’m a contract CFO for multiple smaller CDFIs around the US who are supporting those in our communities that are starting small businesses, trying to get financing to buy a vehicle to get to a job or earn a living in the gig economy, and small developers bringing affordable housing onto the market. No one else is making this financing available. I work to see thriving communities here in the US that make our local economies vibrant and healthy. The CDFI Fund makes that possible.
CDFI funds play a crucial role in supporting small businesses and individuals aspiring to become homeowners throughout South Dakota. These funds provide much-needed financial resources to communities, offering opportunities for growth and stability where traditional financial institutions may not reach. By supporting small businesses, CDFI funds foster economic development and job creation, helping to strengthen local economies. Additionally, they enable homebuyers to achieve their dreams of homeownership, promoting long-term community stability and wealth-building. Without the critical assistance from CDFI funds, many entrepreneurs and potential homeowners in South Dakota would face significant barriers to success.
As an emerging CDFI serving the state of MN with small dollar consumer lending, this funding is essential to us to help combat predatory lending that strips wealth from low-income communities and allows us to provide stabilizing capital to communities to stay housed, employed, and (re)build credit to reach their asset building goals (e.g. car and home ownership) for the future.
We are a CDFI focused on small business lending. We are giving people who deserve a shot at the American dream – but can’t get it because big banks don’t do small business loans or character loans anymore. Small businesses are important sources of jobs, income and innovation.