Midwest Regional Recap
More than 100 CDFI practitioners, partners, and community leaders gathered in Minneapolis for OFN’s 2026 Midwest Regional Meeting, held in partnership with the Native CDFI Network (NCN). Hosted at the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis with support from Target and the Target Foundation, this year’s meeting highlighted the critical role Native CDFIs play in expanding access to capital and advancing economic opportunity across Indian Country and Native communities throughout the Midwest and beyond.
Throughout the gathering, participants explored how CDFIs are strengthening communities through collaboration, lending, innovation, and advocacy. At a time when mission-driven lenders are navigating an evolving operating environment, the meeting provided an opportunity to connect with peers, share lessons from the field, and reaffirm the partnerships that continue to strengthen the CDFI industry.
The trip to Minnesota began on Tuesday, July 14, with visits to two local OFN members celebrating milestones. OFN staff visited Greater Minnesota Housing Fund (GMHF), which is marking its 30th anniversary this year, to learn more about the organization’s work supporting emerging developers, advancing state and federal housing policy, and expanding rural and tribal capacity-building efforts across Minnesota. Later, the team met with Neighborhood Development Center (NDC) at Midtown Global Market, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary. Co-owned by NDC and the Cultural Wellness Center, the market is home to more than 45 locally owned businesses. During the visit, OFN staff learned about the market’s role in strengthening the Lake Street Corridor and supporting local entrepreneurs.
Tuesday concluded with a reception hosted by Target and the Target Foundation that featured a community conversation on the collaboration and resilience of Minnesota’s CDFI community. Moderated by OFN’s Seth Julyan, the discussion featured Kate Barr, Senior Advisor, Minnesota CDFI Coalition, Renay Dossman, President and CEO, Neighborhood Development Center, and Alma Flores, Executive Director, LEDC MN. Throughout the conversation, these local leaders reflected on how strong partnerships have enabled mission-driven lenders to support entrepreneurs, respond to community needs, and strengthen trust across the region. Following closing remarks from Kiera Fernandez, Executive Vice President and Chief Community and Stakeholder Engagement Officer at Target and President of the Target Foundation, attendees continued the conversation during a networking reception.
The Regional Meeting kicked off on Wednesday, July 15 with a welcome from the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, followed by presentations from OFN highlighting the Midwest CDFI landscape, as well as emerging research from the Center for Indian Country Development (CICD) on the important role Native CDFIs play in expanding access to capital and financial opportunity. Alene Tchourumoff, Senior Vice President for Community Development and Engagement and director of the CICD, cited research that demonstrated having one additional Native CDFI staff member per 1,000 residents in a Native community increased credit scores by 45 points on average for individuals whose initial score was in the lower third. Attendees also received federal policy updates from OFN and the Native CDFI Network, including the latest developments affecting CDFI certification, appropriations, and Native CDFI priorities.
Throughout the afternoon, participants shared organizational updates, discussed new ideas and innovations being tested across the industry, and participated in facilitated roundtable discussions on topics ranging from capitalization and technology to talent and policy. Some of the ideas shared included:
- Initiative Foundation highlighted its Initiators Fellowship, a two-year social enterprise fellowship that helps entrepreneurs build their business and leadership capacity to help solve community problems.
- Nebraska Enterprise Fund noted it was in the process of rolling out the Streetcar Business Impact Fund, a grant and loan program that will help businesses impacted by the construction of the streetcar in Omaha.
- Greater Minnesota Housing Fund discussed an investment in a hempcrete production program in the Lower Sioux Indian Community through GMHF’s Rural & Tribal Capacity Building Program.
These peer conversations allowed participants to exchange practical strategies while providing valuable feedback to OFN and NCN about future programming and partnership opportunities.
The day concluded with a fireside conversation between Pete Upton, President and CEO of NCN, and Harold Pettigrew, President and CEO of OFN. Together, they reflected on the importance of collaboration across the CDFI industry and the opportunity to strengthen partnerships among Native and non-Native CDFIs, policymakers, and community partners. Their conversation reinforced a theme that resonated throughout the meeting: when CDFIs come together to share ideas, support one another, and advocate with a collective voice, the entire field is stronger.