PA18 Stories and Data

Philly Builds Credit: A Financial Wellness Initiative
The Tirado Family
The Montanez Family
The Graeff‑Byrnes Family

Testimonials

CDFIs are boots on the grown and first responders standing by low-income communities every day, particularly during difficult economic times, to support small businesses with flexible loans and financial education and technical assistance. All this, to grow small businesses and feed the economy.

-Varsovia Fernandez, Pennsylvania CDFI Network, Philadelphia, PA

CDFIs are the oil in the engine of our economy. They support small businesses with patient flexible capital, when they need it the most; when they are starting out. Without support for these institutions, small businesses will be blocked by high fees, high interest rates, demand payments, and other predatory behavior that impedes and tanks their efforts to grow the US economy.

-Rebecca Davidson-Wagner, Invest PGH Inc., Pittsburgh, PA

We are a CDFI focused on small business lending. We are giving people who deserve a shot at the American dream – but can’t get it because big banks don’t do small business loans or character loans anymore. Small businesses are important sources of jobs, income and innovation.

-Mark Masterson, Neighborhood Community Development Fund, Pittsburgh, PA