Community based CDFIs are vital sources of private capital to areas most in need of investment and jobs.
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.
Community based CDFIs are vital sources of private capital to areas most in need of investment and jobs.
CDFIs are needed throughout the country to help people make their dreams come true by becoming a homeowner.
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.
CDFIs drive local economic growth by financing small businesses, creating jobs, and expanding affordable housing. They support rural and tribal communities, fund critical services like childcare and health clinics, and have invested $298 billion in underserved areas since 2010.