OFN41: Opportunity Next
A pivotal moment for the CDFI industry — where purpose met progress, and the promise of economic opportunity for all was renewed.
Opportunity Next – Creating the Future
“I believe the only way to predict the future we want… is to create it.”
— Harold Pettigrew, OFN President & CEO
Opportunity Next called on the field to create the future of community development finance. At OFN41, leaders came together to keep the promise of economic opportunity for all through bold policy, deeper capitalization, and the development of future generations of talent.
Read the full recap in our OFN Blog post: Charting Opportunity Next for deeper reflections and highlights from the week.
Leadership, Recognition, and Momentum
At OFN41, we celebrated the leaders and champions of community development finance — from industry trailblazers to Congressional allies — and welcomed new voices to OFN’s Board of Directors.
Donna Gambrell Receives 2025 Ned Gramlich Lifetime Achievement Award for Responsible Finance
Opportunity Finance Network Recognizes Outstanding Industry Leadership at OFN41
Opportunity Finance Network Honors Congressional Leaders for Bipartisan Support of CDFIs
Charting Opportunity Next: Welcome OFN’s New Board Members
OFN41 By the Numbers
With 700 first-time attendees and 130+ breakout sessions, OFN41 reflected a growing field
energized to shape what’s next.
2,100+
Total Attendees
700
First-Time Attendees
130+
Breakout Sessions
46
States & Territories, Puerto Rico, Canada, and the UK Represented
Highlights from the Week
OFN41 convened visionary leaders for wide-ranging discussions, community tours showcasing local investment, intensive training programs, and determined Capitol Hill advocacy. Highlights included announcing major philanthropic partnerships and new capital, launching a new digital platform that connects passionate professionals to meaningful careers in community development finance, exploring solutions for the future, and recognizing leadership, innovation, and impact.
Key Moments:
- Plenary Sessions: Visionary conversations on the future of capitalization, policy, and leadership.
- Breakout Sessions: 130+ sessions across 14 tracks, led by experts and practitioners from across the field.
- Impact Tours: 9 CDFI-led tours spotlighting local innovation and community investment in action.
- Pre-Conference Training: Deep dives into financial planning, capitalization strategies, policy advocacy, and research.
- Hill Day: Nearly 90 meetings with members of Congress to advance opportunity for all.
- Special Programming: A screening of Equity & Ownership: Napoleon Wallace and the Reconstruction of Black Wealth, which spotlights committed Black wealth-building efforts.
- Industry Recognitions: Awarded several industry honors, including the new Native CDFI Leadership Award at our inaugural Opportunity Honors Award Ceremony and Reception.
- Solutions in Action: CDFI Innovation Initiative gatherings explored solutions across capitalization, data, and shared service models.
- New Initiatives Announced:
- A $45M strategic partnership with Capital One to strengthen CDFIs and help create opportunity for all across America.
- A $5M match campaign with Focusing Philanthropy to expand small business and housing investments.
- Career Hub Launch: Career Meets Purpose — a new digital space for exploring CDFI career pathways and professional development.
Videos: Inspiring Vision & Key Discussions
Relive the vision through plenaries, highlights, and powerful conversations from OFN41.
Tuesday Opening: Opportunity Next Begins Now
Tuesday Keynote: OFN President and CEO Harold Pettigrew
Tuesday Plenary: The Capital to Deliver
Wednesday Plenary: The Policy Future
Wednesday: The Opportunity Honors Awards
Thursday Closing Plenary: Reflections and Lessons from a Lifetime as a CDFI
Thursday: Career Meets Purpose
Thursday: Closing Video
Photo Galleries
Check out photos from each day of the conference!
Keep the Momentum Going
Access breakout session decks from the conference. Read the news.
Share Your Vision
Keep the conversation going! Share your insights from OFN41 on social media using #OFN41 and connect on CDFI Connect to discuss your key takeaways.
Save the Date!
Mark your calendars: The next chapter continues at OFN42 — October 20-23 — in New Orleans.
See what your peers are already excited for in NOLA!
Thanks to Our Sponsors!
Lead Sponsor
Platinum
Gold
Silver
Bronze
- BMO
- Charles Schwab Bank
- Fifth Third Bank
- Morgan Stanley
- Woodforest National Bank
Additional Support From Innovative Partners
Additional Support Provided By
- MacArthur Foundation
- Target
Opportunity Partners
- African American Alliance of CDFI CEOs
- Aeris
- Amalgamated Bank
- American Bankers Association
- ATX Advisory
- BMI Productivity Solutions
- CohnReznick
- CommonGoals Software
- Community Loan Center of America
- Community Preservation Corporation
- Craftsman Technology Group
- Deutsche Bank
- DownHome Solutions
- Economic Impact Catalyst
- Enterprise Community Loan Fund
- Fitch Ratings
- Friedman Associates
- Fundingo
- FUND Consulting, LLC
- Grow America
- High Impact Financial Analysis
- HSBC
- Initiate by Northern Initiatives
- IvyTek
- JMT Consulting
- Lenderfit
- Lender’s Cooperative
- LivePlan
- Local Initiatives Support Corporation
- LoanWell
- National Cooperative Bank
- Ned
- Northern Trust
- NeighborWorks
- Ohio Capital Finance Corporation
- Partners for the Common Good
- Presta
- Roads Consulting Group
- Rochdale Capital
- Southern Communities Initiative
- Sweet Grass Consulting
- S&P Global Ratings