CDFIs are critical to our economy. They step in where banks can’t – or wont – go. They leverage hundreds of millions of private dollars every year and invest them in underserved businesses and communities, based on need and impact. This is an effective, efficient public-private solution to pressing social and economic issues throughout our country.
As a Native CDFI, funding from the CDFI Fund provides Native communities with access to capital that would otherwise be unavailable. Due to the complexities of tribal lands, traditional banks do not offer the same financial opportunities. Native CDFIs, supported by the CDFI Fund, are bridging this gap by providing equitable access to capital in ways that were previously unheard of.
As a CDFI Lender, we are able to help small businesses, and underserved areas survive. Without this help, many of these businesses would not be able to continue to exist.