MN04 Stories and Data

Braiding Business and Belief
Eagles Healing Nest
Viva Long Prairie
12 Graduate from St. Cloud Enterprise Academy

As the Chair of the Board I see the positive impacts of our lending and business advising daily. Our work is integral to the health and vibrancy of our local community. Our support of emerging entrepreneurs and small businesses looking to grow fills an existing gap in the private sector and provides accessible options for many businesses.

-Gunnar Carlson, MN Consortium of Community Developers, Minneapolis, MN

After coming from several years working in for-profit corporations into a CDFI, I’ve come to appreciate the real benefits CDFIs provide to communities at all levels. CDFIs provide consumer, commercial, mortgage loans, housing development, community facilities when needed, and more creative solutions.

-Julia Nelmark, Midwest Minnesota Community Development Corporation (MMCDC), Detroit Lakes, MN

Since its inception, the CDFI Fund has been a staunch supporter of CDFIs like MEDA whose mission is focused on rebuilding and stabilizing some of the most impoverished and underserved communities across the country.

-Dorothy Bridges, Metropolitan Economic Development Association (MEDA), Minneapolis, MN