Secretary Stories and Data

Secretary Stories

Built to Scale: Designing a Business with Scale in Mind
St. John Manor
Catonsville CO-OP brings together food, community, and local businesses
A Grand Opening Like No Other

Secretary Fact Sheet

Testimonials

CDFIs are filling the deep credit gap encountered in many communities providing financing to small businesses, affordable housing, and community facilities, creating jobs and business opportunities and promoting revitalization.

-Mark Wilson, Coalition for Responsible Community Development, Los Angeles, CA

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.

-Heidi Pickman, CAMEO Network – California Association for Micro Enterprise Opportunity, San Francisco, CA

Supporting Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) is crucial for economic growth and access to capital in underserved areas. CDFIs provide essential financial services, stimulating local economies by offering affordable loans to small businesses and nonprofits. Increased funding for CDFIs ensures expanded outreach and impact, promoting economic stability and development. Enhanced budgetary support for CDFIs is a strategic investment that benefits the nation’s economic infrastructure.

-T. Jay Diallo, First Community Capital, Inc., Riverside, CA

Map of Secretary CDFI Branches and Stories