CDFIs are very good stewards of federal dollars, both in terms of leveraging other resources and by making loans and investments with great repayment history.
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 very good stewards of federal dollars, both in terms of leveraging other resources and by making loans and investments with great repayment history.
[The CDFI Fund is an] incredibly important economic development agent that helps all small businesses across the country to grow, create jobs, become bankable and strengthen our economy.
CDFIs have been essential vehicles for moving investment capital into communities that otherwise cannot access capital. We provide important technical assistance and financial support to grow businesses, finance projects, and revitalize communities thanks to investments from the CDFI Fund, which we then leverage with other 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.