Opportunity Finance Network

OFN41: Charting Opportunity Next This past October, 2,100+ community finance leaders gathered in Washington, D.C. at OFN's 41st annual conference.

“I believe the only way to predict the future we want... is to create it,” said OFN's President & CEO Harold Pettigrew at #OFN41. Learn more about #OFN41 and read the recap: https://www.ofn.org/blog/ofn41-charting-opportunity-next/ #CDFIs #OpportunityNext #OFN41 #CommunityFinance

Morgan Stanley Investment Management has contributed $450,000 in grant support to OFN’s Financing Fund, bringing total support since 2022 to more than $1 million. Learn more: https://bwnews.pr/4nMkZ8i

Puerto Rican School, Backed By CDFI Support, Changes Lives Through Hands-On Education Learn more about the Girasol School in Puerto Rico, a Montessori school teaching students through a dual-language, hands-on program.

When traditional financing said “no,” OFN member #CDFI, The Sunlight Loan Fund, said “yes.” The Girasol School in Dorado, PR opened its doors and created 46 new seats. Learn more: https://www.ofn.org/impact-stories/puerto-rican-school-backed-by-cdfi-support-changes-lives-through-hands-on-education/

Every CDFI investment begins with people. The 2025 CDFI Loan Fund Compensation Survey Report provides salary, bonus, and total compensation benchmarks for 64 positions, spanning early-career roles to those of CEOs: https://www.ofn.org/product/cdfi-loan-fund-compensation-survey-2025/

Investing in People and Places: CommunityWorks In this highlight, the CommunityWorks team shares how and why they are a community pillar in South Carolina.

In Greenville, SC, OFN member CDFI CommunityWorks has spent more than a decade investing in people, places, and possibilities. Learn why this #CDFI is a true community pillar: https://www.ofn.org/blog/investing-in-people-and-places-community-works/

#CDFIsInvest #OpportunityNext

Ohio Veterans Expand Healthcare Access in Their Community With CDFI Investment Learn more about Patriot At Home, a veteran-owned home healthcare business serving patients in Girard, Ohio.

In Girard, OH, veterans turned entrepreneurs are expanding healthcare access with support from a local #CDFI. Learn more: https://www.ofn.org/impact-stories/ohio-veterans-expand-healthcare-access-in-their-community-with-cdfi-investment/

CDFI Fund Opens FY25 Financial Assistance Supplemental Application and Other Program Status Updates The US Treasury signals progress on moving CDFI Fund Financial Assistance (FA) Awards forward, and other program status updates.

Treasury just released the FY25 CDFI Fund Supplemental Application NOFA — major updates CDFIs need to know. Learn what changed and what’s next: https://www.ofn.org/blog/cdfi-fund-opens-fy25-financial-assistance-supplemental-application-and-other-program-status-updates/
#CDFIs #CommunityFinance

Recovery Center Transforms Local Community, Economy, and Lives Read more about Crown Recovery Center, Kentucky’s largest addiction treatment and vocational rehabilitation center financed by CDFI Fahe.

From abandoned campus to hope and healing: The Crown Recovery Center in Springfield, KY has served 2,500+ individuals in recovery and created 300+ local jobs. https://www.ofn.org/impact-stories/recovery-center-transforms-local-community-economy-and-lives/

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Stay ahead of CDFI news, stories, and voices—plus timely policy alerts and field insights. Get the essentials in your inbox. Subscribe: https://www.ofn.org/subscribe/

#CDFI #PublicPolicy #CommunityFinance

For 40+ years, #CDFIs have invested capital where it’s needed most. Now, we’re charting the future at #OFN41 — October 20–23 in Washington, D.C. Join 2,100+ leaders to explore Opportunity Next. 👉 https://t.co/MFSiDITPH8

OFN Announces Inaugural Innovation Council and Capital Solutions Accelerator to Catalyze CDFI Industry Solutions With support from the MassMutual and Mastercard, OFN’s CDFI Innovation Initiative advances bold solutions to help CDFIs unlock capital, scale innovation, and navigate a changing economy.

A milestone for OFN’s CDFI Innovation Initiative: We’ve launched the Innovation Council + Capital Solutions Accelerator cohort. With the @MassMutual Foundation and @Mastercard, we’re creating the tools, replicable models, and solutions the industry needs for the future. https://bit.ly/46dKzg0

Helping Small Businesses Save with Energy Efficiency Read OFN's guide for community lenders and CDFIs to unlock cost-saving opportunities and long-term resilience for their borrowers.

By incorporating energy efficiency into lending strategies, #CDFIs can deliver meaningful value to #smallbiz borrowers, helping them cut costs, build resilience, & thrive in a changing economic & environmental landscape: https://www.ofn.org/blog/helping-small-businesses-save-with-energy-efficiency/

Impact you can taste: Mokuwai Piko Poi supports Kau Kau 4 Keiki (220k+ summer meals) + The Food Basket—preserving tradition and creating jobs. Learn more: https://www.ofn.org/impact-stories/cdfi-nourishes-hawaiis-future-with-funding-for-healthy-food-and-agriculture/

#CDFI #Hawaii #FoodSystems

Blog The OFN blog offers CDFI industry news, stories, and voices. Subscribe to get updates sent straight to your inbox!

Looking for the latest news, stories, and voices from OFN and the CDFI field? From policy updates to on-the-ground impact, our blog brings the ecosystem together. Read now: https://www.ofn.org/blog/

#CDFI #CommunityFinance #Impact #PublicPolicy

CDFIs are on the rise—filling financial gaps in underserved communities across America. Learn more: https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/smallbusiness/empowering-communities-the-rise-of-cdfis-in-america/vi-AA1K6CMS

When banks said no, an OFN member CDFI said yes. Layered financing + mentorship → more local taro/poi, fewer imports, stronger culture. Story: https://www.ofn.org/impact-stories/cdfi-nourishes-hawaiis-future-with-funding-for-healthy-food-and-agriculture/

#CDFI #Hawaii #FoodSystems

Impact Report Explore how OFN and CDFIs delivered $124B in financing, 3.4M jobs, and stronger communities in our 2023-2024 Impact Report.

Rural, urban, Native communities — CDFIs are there. OFN’s Impact Report captures a pivotal two years of growth, investment & opportunity. Explore: https://www.ofn.org/impact/ #CommunityFinance #ImpactReport

Steel Company Forges Growth in Rural Kentucky with CDFI Support Discover Solid Steel Solutions, a small business in Middlesboro, Kentucky making waves in mining equipment repair.

#SmallBiz = strong communities. Solid Steel Solutions is keeping KY strong by creating jobs & diversifying its work beyond coal, with support from OFN member #CDFI Kentucky Highlands Investment Corp https://www.ofn.org/impact-stories/steel-company-forgest-growth-in-rural-kentucky-with-cdfi-support/

The 2025 OFN Conference Join me at the 2025 OFN Conference in Washington, D.C.! #OFN41

Plenaries. Breakouts. Training. Advocacy. Impact tours. #OFN41 has it all — and more. Be part of the nation’s leading CDFI conference in Washington, D.C. this October 20–23. https://www.ofnconference.org/event/2025/home

Impact Report Explore how OFN and CDFIs delivered $124B in financing, 3.4M jobs, and stronger communities in our 2023-2024 Impact Report.

CDFIs = opportunity. Our 2023–2024 Impact Report shows how we’re mobilizing capital, advancing policy, and supporting 475+ members nationwide. 👉 https://www.ofn.org/impact/ #Impact #CDFIs

Small Business CDFIs invest in bright ideas and passionate people with vision and talent. We help diverse entrepreneurs build a thriving economy.

In recent years, certified #CDFIs had $25B in small business & microloans with less than 1% net charge-offs. Proven lenders. Powerful impact. Learn more: https://www.ofn.org/what-is-a-cdfi/key-priorities/small-business/

Steel Company Forges Growth in Rural Kentucky with CDFI Support Discover Solid Steel Solutions, a small business in Middlesboro, Kentucky making waves in mining equipment repair.

Missy Carter’s journey: secretary to CEO to national award-winner. Her leadership at Solid Steel Solutions proves the power of rural entrepreneurship. #Leadership #WomenInBusiness #CDFIs @SBAgov https://www.ofn.org/impact-stories/steel-company-forgest-growth-in-rural-kentucky-with-cdfi-support/

Partnering with the Public Sector By partnering with the public sector, OFN has become a leading public policy voice for CDFIs. Help us provide transformational opportunity.

From small businesses to housing, healthcare to infrastructure, CDFIs are trusted partners to policymakers in tackling inequity & poverty. https://www.ofn.org/partnering-with-the-public-sector/ #CommunityFinance #CDFIs

Small Business CDFIs invest in bright ideas and passionate people with vision and talent. We help diverse entrepreneurs build a thriving economy.

During the pandemic, CDFIs outperformed larger lenders in reaching the counties backbone aka small businesses. Because we’ve always been where mainstream finance won’t go. Learn more: https://www.ofn.org/what-is-a-cdfi/key-priorities/small-business/ #CommunityFinance #CDFIs

Meeting Entrepreneurs Where They Are: ProsperUs Detroit’s Community-First Microlending CEO Paul Jones shares how ProsperUs pairs flexible capital with coaching to turn ambition into local wealth.

ProsperUs Detroit (an OFN member CDFI) meets entrepreneurs where they are with flexible microlending and one-on-one support. CEO Paul Jones shares how this model works: https://www.ofn.org/blog/meeting-entrepreneurs-where-they-are-prosperus-detroits-community-first-microlending/

#SmallBiz

The 2025 OFN Conference Join me at the 2025 OFN Conference in Washington, D.C.! #OFN41

For 40 years, #CDFIs have fueled growth in rural, urban & Native communities. What’s next? Find out at #OFN41. Washington, D.C. | October 20–23 https://www.ofnconference.org/event/2025/home

For 30+ years, #CDFIs have proven what’s possible when capital meets community. Read OFN’s 2023–2024 Impact Report: https://www.ofn.org/impact/

CDFIs = proven public-private partners. We bring capital + collaboration to communities mainstream finance leaves behind. https://www.ofn.org/partnering-with-the-public-sector/ #CommunityFinance #CDFIs

Steel Company Forges Growth in Rural Kentucky with CDFI Support Discover Solid Steel Solutions, a small business in Middlesboro, Kentucky making waves in mining equipment repair.

CDFIs = more than financing. An OFN member CDFI provided training, technical support, and funding to help Solid Steel Solutions grow into a 20,000 sq. ft. facility with 14 employees. #ImpactInvesting https://www.ofn.org/impact-stories/steel-company-forgest-growth-in-rural-kentucky-with-cdfi-support/

Minnesota Ice is a large sculpture-grade ice maker. The Baileys are wood artists in Duluth. Different industries, same story: small businesses thriving with #CDFI support. Learn more: https://www.ofn.org/what-is-a-cdfi/key-priorities/small-business/