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 are a vital source of capital for the small and micro businesses in our communities, businesses that typically aren’t at the scale to be served by the large banks. They create jobs, generate taxes and keep our communities and economy vibrant and strong.
CDFIs provide critical support that empowers communities to thrive. These financial institutions provide capital that leverages expertise and best practices from the financial services and business sectors to put capital to work in communities across the nation.
We are proud to be one of the many CDFIs channeling capital into otherwise economically underserved communities nationwide. Since 2017, we have financed over 3,000 affordable homes, aided by awards from the CDFI Fund. The CDFI Fund’s programs are essential to our work and our ability to attract and leverage private capital.
CDFIs have a demonstrated track record of success: they often leverage every federal dollar to attract up to 12 times that amount in private investment, reaching borrowers that traditional banks overlook. Whether it’s a veteran-owned business in Montana, a farm in the Central Valley, or a childcare provider in the South Bronx, CDFIs meet communities where they are, providing not only loans but financial education, technical assistance, and long-term support. This is not a partisan issue. Nearly every congressional district in America benefits from the work of CDFIs, with 92% of House districts having at least one CDFI. CDFIs are an engine of local resilience-supporting job creation, small business formation, and upward mobility.