CDFIs have been a vital role in our community by providing low-cost capital to businesses. Capital is not readily available in the rural area I live, so it’s imperative that CDFIs continue to receive funding that helps support small businesses and continue to grow small communities.
The CDFI Fund helps us at Cooperative Federal provide programs for home ownership, small business, consumer credit and financial education for our community, which helps to strengthen the local economy through giving the public access to said services. During a time of high inflation and economic unease, it is more crucial than ever that we continue to be enabled to provide this aid. While I work for Cooperative Federal itself, I have also been a member for several years prior and their free financial education helped me directly to improve my financial situation. Without these programs, people who are already struggling and often cannot afford out of pocket financial education/counseling have nowhere to turn. If we as a country want to achieve greatness, we need to be serving the American people, not stripping them of their ability to raise themselves up!
I support Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) because they are essential in promoting equitable economic growth and community development. At GROW SD, we see how CDFIs empower underserved populations by providing tailored financial solutions that create housing stability and sustainable businesses. Their commitment to reinvesting in local economies aligns with our mission to enhance community well-being. By supporting CDFIs, we can help build stronger, more resilient communities where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.