AZ06 Stories and Data

I believe in the power of Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) because I’ve seen firsthand what access to capital-real, intentional, and responsible access-can do for small businesses, nonprofits, and communities that have historically been excluded from traditional financial systems. CDFIs aren’t just lenders. They are partners in shaping our economy. They take the time to understand the unique challenges that small business owners face when trying to grow and sustain their businesses. They don’t just look at a credit score; they look at the story behind the entrepreneur, the impact on the community, and the potential that often goes unnoticed. At Growth Partners Arizona, we align with this mission because we know that financial systems should work for communities, not against them. Supporting CDFIs means investing in businesses that create jobs, strengthen local economies, and build long-term wealth in places where it’s needed most. CDFIs are doing the work that big banks won’t, and that’s exactly why I support them. Because when capital is placed in the right hands, it doesn’t just fund businesses-it fuels movements, shifts power and transforms communities.

The Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI Fund) plays a vital role in building a strong economy! CDFIs are one of the country’s most effective examples of public-private partnership. They attract private capital to help families buy homes, schools and health centers expand, small businesses grow, and communities thrive – especially in places traditional investors don’t reach on their own. CDFIs are important partners in deploying tax credit programs, such as New Markets Tax Credits, which incentivize investments while reducing taxpayer burden. Some of America’s greatest achievements – from the moon landing (and even modern space exploration) to the birth of Silicon Valley – happened because government had the vision to catalyze private innovation and investment. CDFIs operate in that same spirit.   Every day we see how smart, targeted investments unlock opportunity and drive prosperity that benefits everyone. CDFIs are effective because they fuel American ingenuity in the places it exists, which is everywhere!

The AZ CDFI Network supports CDFIs because they are essential drivers of economic growth and stability across Arizona. In both rural and urban areas, CDFIs provide critical access to capital, credit, and financial services for small businesses, affordable housing developments, and community facilities. As a statewide coalition of community-focused lenders, we see firsthand how CDFIs strengthen local economies, support entrepreneurs, and create jobs. Continued investment in the CDFI Fund ensures that communities across Arizona have the resources they need to grow and prosper.