CDFIs fill a critical void in funding the development of affordable housing. They provide below market interest rates, have flexible terms, and can respond to critical funding needs with more flexibility than a traditional bank/credit union.
CDFIs fill a critical void in funding the development of affordable housing. They provide below market interest rates, have flexible terms, and can respond to critical funding needs with more flexibility than a traditional bank/credit union.
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.
I believe in the power of Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) because I’ve seen firsthand what access to capital-real, intentional, and responsible access-can do for small businesses, nonprofits, and communities that have historically been excluded from traditional financial systems. CDFIs aren’t just lenders. They are partners in shaping our economy. They take the time to understand the unique challenges that small business owners face when trying to grow and sustain their businesses. They don’t just look at a credit score; they look at the story behind the entrepreneur, the impact on the community, and the potential that often goes unnoticed. At Growth Partners Arizona, we align with this mission because we know that financial systems should work for communities, not against them. Supporting CDFIs means investing in businesses that create jobs, strengthen local economies, and build long-term wealth in places where it’s needed most. CDFIs are doing the work that big banks won’t, and that’s exactly why I support them. Because when capital is placed in the right hands, it doesn’t just fund businesses-it fuels movements, shifts power and transforms communities.