
Sign up for the OFN Blog Digest HERE!
Current Issue
APRIL 8, 2021
- Grow with Google Small Business Fund Marks One Year
- President Biden Releases Infrastructure Plan
- OFN Staff Growth and Changes
- The Federal Reserve Wants to Hear from CDFIs!
- Twitter Highlights Finance Justice Fund in First Global Impact Report
- And more
Past Issues
March 19, 2021
- Lisa Mensah Testifies Before Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee
- Take Action to Support $1 Billion for CDFIs!
- Apply for Up to $2 Million Through Google.org Impact Challenge for Women and Girls
- Senator Mark Warner Sheds Light on New Policy Implications for CDFIs During OFN Webinar
- State Small Business Credit Initiative Funded in the American Rescue Plan
- And more
February 25, 2021
- Apply Now for $1.25 Billion in Rapid Response Grants
- Biden Reforms to Paycheck Protection Program Advantage Smallest Businesses
- First Finance Justice Fund Loans Announced
- 23 OFN Members Receive Grants for Affordable Housing
- OFN Weighs in on Federal Reserve CRA Reform Proposal
- And more
February 11, 2021
- Black-Led CDFIs to Help Drive More Than $40 Million in Google Funding to Black-Owned Businesses
- Bill Clinton Joins CDFI Leaders to Discuss Power of CDFIs for Inclusive Economic Recovery
- Raza Development Fund Offers COVID Relief to Latino Small Businesses with Wells Fargo Grant
- Impact Investors and CDFIs Can Partner to Create Greater Impact
- The Carsey School and OFN – A Partnership for Education and Advancement
- And more
JANUARY 14, 2021
- Historic Funding for CDFIs in FY2021 Omnibus Appropriations and COVID-19 Relief Bill
- Rocky Start as SBA Re-opens Next Round of PPP Lending
- Six Grow with Google Small Business Loans, Google.org Grants Announced
- Starbucks Announces $100 Million Investment in CDFIs and Other Impact-focused Financial Institutions
- February 2 Clinton Foundation Event to Focus on 'Power of CDFIs' - Register Now
- And more
Sign up for the OFN Blog Digest here!
Current Issue
December 16, 2020
- Finance Justice Fund Now Open for Applications
- Congress Includes CDFI Provisions in Bipartisan COVID Relief Legislation
- Three CDFI Industry Leaders Elected to OFN Board of Directors
- Four CDFIs Receive Grow with Google Small Business Fund Loans and Google.org Grants
- OFN Conference Reflections: Investing in Climate Solutions for the Environment and the Economy
- And more
PAST IssueS
November 23, 2020
- Announcing the New Finance Justice Fund
- 2020 OFN Conference Recap Site Now Live
- A Conversation with Finance Pioneer Inez Long
- Small Businesses Survive-Adapt-Thrive with Cook Inlet Lending Center
- Latest Round of Grow with Google Small Business Loans and Google.org Grants Announced
- And more
November 3, 2020
- Inez Long Receives Ned Gramlich Award for Advocacy of Black-owned Businesses
- 2020 OFN Virtual Conference—Less Than One Week to Register!
- OFN Awards 70 COVID-19 Grants to Smaller Member CDFIs
- OFN President and CEO Lisa Mensah Amplifies the CDFI Message
- Uplift America Fund 2019 Progress Report Now Available
- And more
OCTOBER 15, 2020
- OFN Conference Featured Speakers Announced
- Policies to Require Transparency in Small Business Lending Gain Momentum
- CDFI Fund Proposes Substantial Changes to Certification Application
- OFN Virtual Conference: Help Spread the Word!
- It’s the Second Most Important Election of 2020 and the Candidates Are...
- And more
SEPTEMBER 25, 2020
- OFN Members Receive $110.5 Million from the CDFI Fund
- Registration Now Open for 2020 OFN Virtual Conference
- CDFI Fund Opens the 2020 Round of New Markets Tax Credits
- Federal Reserve Releases Community Reinvestment Act Reform Proposal
- New Native CDFI Online Community Launches on CDFI Connect
- And more
SEPTEMBER 3, 2020
- This Year’s Conference Theme: Finance Justice
- Native CDFI Awards Application Now Open
- Nominations Open for the 2020 Ned Gramlich Lifetime Achievement Award
- New Grow with Google Small Business Loans Announced
- OFN President Addresses CDFI Fund Community Advisory Board
- And more
August 11, 2020
- Members of Congress Champion CDFIs as COVID Relief Talks Stall
- Morgan Stanley Awards OFN $5 Million Grant for Smaller CDFIs
- OFN Awards Small CDFI Grants to 19 Members
- 7 OFN Member CDFIs Included in $1.7 Billion MacKenzie Scott Pledge
- Lisa Mensah and Nate Hurst on “American Resilience: The Future of Small Business”
- And more
JuLY 23, 2020
- 2020 Small Business Finance Forum Event Website Now Available
- OFN and HSBC Bank Deploy $25 Million Through CDFI Investment Fund
- OFN Board Nominations Open for 2020
- OFN Awards Second Round of Google Financing
- OFN President and CEO Lisa Mensah Joins Civil Rights Leaders for Conversation on Racial Equity
- And more
JuLY 9, 2020
- CDFIs Outperform Other Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Lenders
- OFN Announces First Round of Google Loans and Google.org-funded Grants
- House Subcommittee Approves $273.5 Million for CDFI Fund in FY 2021
- Wells Fargo Launches $400 Million Small Business Recovery Effort
- $10 Million Netflix Investment in HOPE Credit Union Sets Example for Private Sector
- And more
June 9, 2020
- CDFIs–Bringing about a New Season in America
- Register Now - One Week until the 2020 Small Business Finance Forum
- $10 Billion Set Aside for CDFIs to Make PPP Loans; Increased PPP Flexibility Enacted into Law
- Join the CDFI Coalition’s Week of Action
- CDFI Locator Sees 336% Increase in Traffic Amid Pandemic
- And more
MAY 21, 2020
- Registration Open for 2020 Small Business Finance Forum
- House Endorses $1 Billion for CDFI Fund Grants; 37 Senators Also Signal Support
- OCC Releases Final Community Reinvestment Act Rule
- PPP Reports Released, New Court Ruling on Borrower Eligibility
- OFN Testifies at House Small Business Committee Virtual Forum
- And more
April 30, 2020
- CDFIs Call for $1 Billion in New CDFI Fund Grants as PPP Misses the Mark
- Join the Fight to #KeepCDFIsStrong
- Press Roundup: CDFIs in the News
- 2020 COVID-19 Staying Connected Webinar Series
- OFN Welcomes 13 New Member CDFIs
- And more
March 30, 2020 - COVID-19 Special Edition
- A Message from Lisa Mensah: #KeepCDFIsStrong
- OFN Announces Grow with Google Small Business Fund
- Congress Enacts $2 Trillion COVID-19 Emergency Response
- Update on 2020 OFN Events
- New COVID-19 Community for OFN Members on CDFI Connect
- And more
March 10, 2020
- House Subcommittee Presses Treasury Secretary about CDFI Fund Budget Cuts
- OCC, FDIC Announce Extension of CRA Reform Public Comment Period
- Book Your Hotel Room for the 2020 Small Business Finance Forum
- Join the OFN Team as a Summer Intern
- 20 OFN Members Receive Grants for Affordable Housing
- And more!
February 10, 2020
- Weigh in on the Future of the Community Reinvestment Act
- Congress Holds Hearings on OCC-FDIC Community Reinvestment Act Reform Proposal
- New Resources for CDFI Financial Reporting and Management
- Howard University Explores “Financial Wellness in the African American Community” – CDFIs Are Solution
- 2020 OFN Events – Save the Dates!
- And more!
January 10, 2020
- Alternative Approach to CRA Modernization Articulated by Federal Reserve Board Governor
- Congress Approves $262 Million for CDFI Fund and Extends New Markets Tax Credit
- OFN FY 2018 "Inside the Membership" Report Now Available
- Highlights from OFN Mid-Atlantic Regional Meeting in Baltimore
- Forbes Announces Top 20 Opportunity Zone Investors Committed to Lasting Impact
- And more!
Sign up for the OFN Blog Digest here!
Current Issue
December 5, 2019
- Annual 'Side by Side' CDFI Reference Guide Now Available
- OFN CEO Lisa Mensah Joins CDFI Leaders at Clinton Presidential Center
- OFN Closes $100 Million CDFI Bond Guarantee Program Issuance
- OFN Members and Allies Receive More Than $100 Million from CDFI Fund
- Wells Fargo Announces CDFI-Owned Loan Fund Geared Toward Latinx Small Businesses
- And more!
Past Issues
NOVEMBER 7, 2019 - SPECIAL EDITION: 2019 OFN CONFERENCE RECAP
- Lending Where it Counts: An OFN Conference for the Record Books
- President Clinton Honors the CDFI Industry on the 25th Anniversary of the CDFI Fund
- Closing the 2019 OFN Annual Conference with a Roar!
- Lend Where it Counts, for People Who Count
- Policy Makers Reflect on Lending Where it Counts at OFN Conference
- And more!
OCTOBER 3, 2019
- 2019 OFN Conference: Newly Added Sessions, Congressional Reception, Step Afrika! & More
- CDFI Fund Announces FY 2019 Technical Assistance and Bank Enterprise Awardees
- Senate Appropriations Committee Approves $251 Million for CDFI Fund in FY 2020
- OFN CEO Lisa Mensah to Speak at Federal Reserve 'Fed Listens' Event on October 4
- OFN Conference Social Media Campaign Kicks Off October 18
- And more!
September 5, 2019
- OFN Conference “Extracurriculars” Provide Something for Everyone
- Neighborhood Tours at OFN Conference Showcase CDFIs in Action
- CDFI Fund Opens the 2019 Round of New Markets Tax Credits
- Feature Your Borrowers at the OFN Conference
- Representative Barbara Lee (D-CA) to Receive CDFI Congressional Champion Award at OFN Conference
- And more!
August 8, 2019
- OFN Conference Registration Opens!
- Nominations Open for the 2019 Ned Gramlich Lifetime Achievement Award
- OFN Invites Submissions for Our CDFI Industry ‘In Memoriam’ Tribute
- Success Story: Pennsylvania Transportation Enterprise Serves Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities
- OFN Seeking Stories about Small Businesses Impacted by Predatory Lending Practices
- And more!
JULY 9, 2019
- Recap of Small Business Finance Forum 2019: Unlocking Entrepreneurial Potential
- New Awards Program Honors Native CDFIs
- House Votes for Record Funding for CDFI Fund Programs
- House and Senate Begin Work on Extension of the New Markets Tax Credit
- Success Story: Small Business Survives Hurricane Harvey with Support of Local CDFI
- And more!
JUNE 6, 2019
- Latest SBFF Updates: Plenary Sessions and Small Business Partner Showcase
- Case Studies: Wells Fargo Diverse Community Capital Program
- House Subcommittee Approves $300 Million for the CDFI Fund in FY 2020
- OFN Submits Comments to Treasury Urging Opportunity Zone Transparency
- $3.5 Billion in New Markets Tax Credit Allocations Awarded
- And more!
May 7, 2019
- Register Now for OFN’s 2019 Small Business Finance Forum!
- Catalytic Capital: Q&A with MacArthur Foundation’s Debra Schwartz
- NCIFund Strengthens Community Development Work in Appalachia and the Southeast with OFN Financing
- OFN Welcomes Five New Members!
- Announcing Two Promotions and New Faces at OFN!
- And more!
May 2, 2019 - Special Edition: Opportunity zones
- Second Tranche of IRS Opportunity Zone Regulations Released
- OFN Continues to Advocate for Opportunity Zone Reporting Requirements and Community Accountability
- The White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council Prioritizes Opportunity Zones Across the Federal Government
- And more!
APRIL 4, 2019
- Opportunity Zones Update
- Urge Congress to Support the CDFI Fund in FY 2020 Appropriations
- The CDFI Fund Needs Your Input!
- CDFIs Launch $5 Million Kensington Lending Partnership in Philadelphia
- OFN Members Partner with CNote to Launch Business Loan Fund for Women
- And more!
March 7, 2019
- House Appropriations Subcommittee Holds First Hearing on the CDFI Fund
- OFN Promotes Rural Development at Hope Forum in Mississippi
- 19 OFN Members Receive Awards for Affordable Housing
- OFN Welcomes New Members
- Wells Fargo Announces $18.5 in Grants to Nine OFN Members
- And more!
February 1, 2019
- Amir Kirkwood Joins OFN as Chief Lending and Investment Officer
- Welcome to the 116th Congress!
- CDFIs Go the “Extra Mile” to Help Borrowers During Government Shutdown
- Lisa Mensah Promotes CRA Modernization at D.C. Forum
- OFN Welcomes New Members
- And more...
Sign up for the CDFI Connect Digest here!
Current Issue
December 13, 2018
- Key Committee Assignments in the 116th Congress
- A Behind the Scenes Look at an OFN Site Visit
- Lisa Mensah Joins City First to Celebrate 25 Years of Impact and to Honor the Resilience Awardees
- Ramp Up New Staff on the Fundamentals of Opportunity Finance this Spring!
- Working to Make Healthy Food Easy Access in All Communities
- Best of 2018: Our Most Compelling Articles of the Year
- And more...
Past Issues
november 29, 2018
- New Leadership for the 116th Congress
- Democratizing Finance, A Conversation with Cliff Rosenthal
- CDFI Industry Weighs in on Community Reinvestment Act (CRA)
- Interested in Benchmarking your CDFI to its Peers?
- Join CDFI Practitioners and Industry Stakeholders in Philadelphia in December
- Cnote Makes it Easy for Anyone to Support CDFIs
- Landit for CDFI Women: Power Your Own Path
- OFN Is Hiring in DC
- Just Launched: Investing in America’s Workforce Book
- And more...
november 8, 2018
- What’s At Stake in the Lame Duck Session
- OFN Briefs Federal Reserve Board Chairman Jerome Powell
- Lisa Mensah and John Rogers Dig Deep
- The 2018 Small Business Credit Survey Is Now Open: Help Your Small Businesses Be Heard!
- A CDFI Story of Fresh Food Access for Vinton County, Ohio
- And more...
October 25, 2018
- More than 1400 CDFI Change Agents Gather in Chicago
- What New Opportunity Zones Tax Incentives May Mean for CDFIs
- Three Change Agents, Six Decades in Pursuit of Equity and Justice
- CDFIs, This is Our Time
- Senator Dick Durbin Welcomes OFN Conference Attendees
- CDFI Fund Director Annie Donovan Challenges the CDFI Industry to Grow
- A Full Court Press on Diversity: A Conversation with John Rogers of Ariel Investments
- Charles Evans, President of the Chicago Federal Reserve Bank, Delivers Welcome Remarks
- Two Extraordinary Leaders Recognized at the 2018 Native CDFI Awards Ceremony
- Nancy Andrews Honored with Ned Gramlich Award
- Justice Grant Awardee Uplifts Housing as Human Right
- OFN Conference in Photos
- And more...
October 4, 2018
- OFN Conference Plenaries Offer Insights, Inspiration
- Nancy Andrews Honored with Ned Gramlich Award
- President Trump Signs Spending Bill to Avoid Partial Government Shutdown
- The 15th Native Convening: Learning and Exploration
- OFN is Seeking a Chief Lending and Investment Officer
- Start Networking Today with the OFN Conference App
- Explore CDFI Resources for Agents of Change at the 2018 OFN Conference Expo
- Share Your #CDFIChangeAgents Stories During OFN Conference
- And more...
September 20, 2018
- OFN Members Receive Nearly $114MM from the CDFI Fund
- Focus on Small Business and Rural Tracks at OFN Conference
- See for Yourself How Chicago CDFIs are Agents of Change
- House and Senate Race to Complete FY 2019 Appropriations
- Run (or Walk) for Fun... And Support Affordable Housing in Chicago
- Help OFN Recognize CDFI Industry Staff in Memoriam: 2017-2018
- Why Oportun is Providing $1MM in Low-Interest Loan Funds to Support the Work of Other CDFIs
- Top Must-Dos While You are in Chicago for OFN Conference
- Get Out the Vote
- And more...
September 6, 2018
- Last Call: Early Bird Discount for OFN Conference Ends Today
- Time to Speak Up: Comments Sought by the OCC on CRA Modernization
- IFF Profiles OFN President and CEO Lisa Mensah
- Get to Know Your Board Candidates
- Help OFN Recognize CDFI Industry Staff in Memoriam: 2017-2018
- Do You Know a CDFI Change Agent? Share Their Story Today!
- And more...
August 23, 2018
- Can’t Miss Sessions at the 2018 OFN Conference
- And the Board Candidates are...
- We Invite You to Share Personal Stories from the Field as #CDFIChangeAgents
- House Members Introduce Bipartisan Rural Jobs Zone Act
- An $8.5mm Tribal Project Expands New Opportunities for Economic Development
- Eviction Data Can Keep Cities from Designing Policy in the Dark
- And more...
August 9, 2018
- Register Now for 2018 OFN Conference
- Lisa Mensah Delivers Testimony to Joint Economic Committee on How Cdfis Fill a Market Gap
- In Memoriam: Jeremy Nowak
- Hot Take: Opportunity Zones
- Senate Approves $250 Million for CDFI Fund in FY 2019
- Nominations Open for the 2018 Ned Gramlich Achievement Award for Responsible Finance
- Learn How PNC Is Starting an Opportunity Zone Fund
- Asking the Hard Questions: CFNE’s Journey to Equity and Inclusion at the Intersection of Finance and Cooperatives
- 40 Years in the Making: An Interview with Sherry Magell and Chris Chrothers of the Jessie Ball Dupont Fund
- And more...
July 19, 2018
- OFN Conference: Agents of Change
- House of Representatives Votes to Raise FY19 Appropriations for CDFI Fund to $223M
- Deutsche Bank Program to Inject $2.5MM to Spur Economic Growth in Native Communities
- Last Call for Board of Director Candidate Nominations
- CDFIs Gather in Denver for the 2018 West Regional Meeting
- Rural CDFI Collaboration Helps New Owner Continue Success of Tulare Country Meats
- CDFI Fund Opens FY 2018 Funding Round for Capital Magnet Fund
- CDFI Industry News
- Latest CDFI Connect Community Discussions
- And more...
July 5, 2018
- OFN's 2018 Board Elections Are Open—Nominate a Leader Today!
- A Recap of OFN's 7th Small Business Finance Forum: How to Fill Gaps in Small Business Lending
- Wells Fargo Diverse Community Capital Program Initiates Second Phase of Funding
- HAC: Building Capacity in Rural Communities
- A Business Model that Brings Jobs and Wealth-Building to Local Communities
- CDFI Fund Awards More Than $22 million through Bank Enterprise Award Program
- 2018 OFN Small Business Finance Forum in Pictures
- CDFI Industry News
- Latest CDFI Connect Community Discussions
- And more...
June 21, 2018
- Appropriations Committees Stand Strong in Support of the CDFI Fund
- Welcome Two New Financial Services SVPs to OFN!
- The Small Business Partner Showcase Cranks It Up with Live Tech Demos
- OFN Weighs in on Proposed Changes to FHFA's Affordable Housing Program
- New Markets Tax Credit Allocation Retains 350 Jobs in Rural Michigan
- LEAF Helps Small Business Owner Win Pitch Competition
- CDFI Industry News
- Latest CDFI Connect Community Discussions
- And more...
June 7, 2018
- OFN's Small Business Finance Forum: Breaking Records
- Act by Friday: Support Efforts to Restore Funding for CDFI Fund Programs
- OFN Joins Our Policy Allies to Fight for Economic Progress in Washington This Week
- Adding Depth to Breadth: Honoring CDFI Impact in All Its Forms
- Find Out How Scale-Focused Microlenders Are Pricing for Growth at the Small Business Finance Forum
- Woodstock Honors OFN at the 2018 Community Investment Awards
- CDFI Industry News
- Latest CDFI Connect Community Discussions
- And more...
May 24, 2018
- Policy Update: Congressional Support Needs to Remain Strong for the CDFI Fund in FY 2019
- CDFIs Weigh in on the Promise of Opportunity Zones
- Working to Increase Access to Health Care through Community Health Centers
- New Place-Based Fund Targets Projects in Philadelphia
- CDFI Practitioners and Allies Gather in Minneapolis
- Coverage Map Demonstrates More than $27B in CDFI Impact
- Congratulations OFN Members!
- 2018 Opportunity Fellows Meet to Foster Diversity and Inclusion in the CDFI Industry
- CDFI Industry News
- Latest CDFI Connect Community Discussions
- And more...
May 10, 2018
- OFN Strongly Opposes BEA and CMF Rescissions Package: Join Us!
- Content is King at OFN's Small Business Finance Forum
- Case Study: Why Cultivating a Relationship with Your Policymakers Matters
- Working to Close the Massive Financing Gap for Latino Small Businesses and Entrepreneurs in LMI Neighborhoods
- When Vision and Values are Shared: Partnering to Achieve Greater Impact for Small Businesses
- Small Business Week: LEAF and Innovative Co-op Financing
- CDFI Industry News
- Latest CDFI Connect Community Discussions
- And more...
April 23, 2018
- Register Now for the Premier Event for Mission-Driven Small Business Lenders
- Ask Your Senators to Support $275MM for the CDFI Fund in FY 2019
- Impact Investing Conference Comes to Philly this Month
- Bringing CDFIs into the 21st Century: Brilliant Ideas from Some of the Top Business Students in the U.S.
- On-Boarding Webinar Series for New CDFI Staff
- Free Webinar: Best Practices in Loan Policies
- Thank You for Your Service
- CDFI Industry News
- Latest CDFI Connect Community Discussions
- And more...
March 29, 2018
- Congress Signals Strong Support for CDFI Fund in FY 2018 and FY 2019
- Linking Data with Solutions: A Q&A with Prosperity Now's Andrea Levere
- Announcing: Small Business Finance Forum 2018
- OFN Sends Letter to Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittees in Support of FY19 Funding for USDA Rural Development Programs
- Use OFN's New Consumer Finance Marketing Library to Plan Your Next Strategy
- Place-Focused Foundations Unlocking Philanthropic Capital for Local Impact Investing
- OFN CEO Brings the CDFI Story to Mission Investors in California
- 21 OFN Members Receive Awards for Affordable Housing
- Submit a Story: Share Your Insights, News, and Expertise
- CDFI Industry News
- Latest CDFI Connect Community Discussions
- And more...
March 8, 2018
- Learn How to Strengthen Your Market Reach with New Consumer Finance Marketing Toolkit
- Contact Your House Member Today
- Fifth Annual PRO Neighborhoods Competition
- Lisa Mensah to Deliver Keynote at Confluence Philanthropy's Practitioners Gathering
- A CDFI Story of Bringing Solar Energy to Power Affordable Housing
- Standardized CDFI Impact Data Arrives in the Aeris Cloud
- OFN and BBVA Compass 2018 Opportunity Fellows Program to cultivate next generation of CDFI leaders
- CDFI Industry News
- Latest CDFI Connect Community Discussions
- And more...
February 15, 2018
- Attend CDFI Institute to Discuss Key CDFI Policy Issues and Advocate for FY18 and FY19
- Winning Strategies Demonstrate Breadth of CDFI Innovation
- 25 OFN Members Selected to Receive New Markets Tax Credits to Spur Economic Growth
- Small Business Majority to Lead the Next Phase of Venturize
- CDFI Women Kick off 2018 with Networking and Next Steps
- Urban Institute Asks CDFI Leaders: How are CDFIs Meeting Community Needs?
- Lisa Mensah Goes Rural at NEXUS USA 2018 Summit
- CDFI Industry News
- Latest CDFI Connect Community Discussions
- And more...
February 1, 2018
- Enhance Your Leadership Skills as an Opportunity Fellow
- Start Your 2018 Advocacy Efforts at the CDFI Coalition's CDFI Institute
- Opportunity Zones: New Community Development Tool for CDFIs
- Brightening the Corners
- Business Schools Compete to Solve CDFI Challenges at MIT Sloan
- IFF Client Realizes 20-year Vision for Halfway House in Stark County, OH
- CDFI Industry News
- Latest CDFI Connect Community Discussions
- And more...
January 11, 2018
- Join us at the 2018 CDFI Coalition Institute
- Benchmark Your CDFI Loan Fund Recruitment and Retention Plan
- Congress Continues to Debate FY18 Funding
- Increasing Collaboration to Build CDFI Capacity in Affordable Housing with National Community Stabilization Trust
- Building Credit and a Business with Access Capital Plus
- Mark Your Calendars! Events to Attend in 2018
- CDFI Industry News
- Latest CDFI Connect Community Discussions
- And more...
Click here to sign up for OFN's eNewsletter.
December 14, 2017
- OFN's Headquarters Moving to Our Nation's Capital: Q&A with Lisa Mensah
- Now Available: Salary Data for 21 Staff Positions at CDFI Loan Funds
- How We Broke Through 10 Million
- Congress Passes FY18 CR Extension through December 22: Contact Your Member of Congress Today!
- Compare Your CDFI Performance with OFN Side by Side
- 2017 Top 10 Stories
- CDFI Industry News
- Latest CDFI Connect Community Discussions
- And more...
November 21, 2017
- Senate Appropriations Bill Preserves Full Funding for the CDFI Fund
- Two OFN Members Appointed to the Community Development Advisory Board
- Tax Reform Bills Move Forward in Both Chambers of Congress
- Watch Lisa Mensah's Recent Keynote "Progress from Partnership"
- Small Printing Business Gets Growing with Accion Support
- CDFI Industry News
- And more...
November 9, 2017
- OFN Names Two Key Executive Leaders
- Debt, Grant, and Social Capital Available in Round 5 of Wells Fargo Diverse Community Capital Program
- Take Action Today to Preserve NMTC
- CDFI Strength is Knowledge: Building Capacity for CDFIs One Person at a Time
- CDFI Women's Network Defines Structure and Sets Goals for Growth
- CDFI Industry News
- And more...
October 26, 2017
- Network, Collaborate, Share, and Learn with CDFI Connect Community
- Deepen your Staff and Board Knowledge with Upcoming OFN Trainings
- OFN Delivers Testimony to the Committee on Small Business
- Resilient Nonprofit Builds on Relationship with IFF to Expand
- CDFI Industry News
- And more...
October 12, 2017
- "Walking together is a hallmark of our field."
- Closing the Gap: OFN Conference Tackles Generating Impact in Economically Challenged Areas
- Annie Donovan Calls on CDFIs to Continue to Bridge Divides to Accomplish the Mission
- Thinking Abundantly, Moving the Path Forward for CDFIs
- CDFI Industry News
- And more...
September 21, 2017
- An Exciting Lineup at OFN Conference Includes New Speakers and Sessions
- New OFN Online Community Connects Training with Networking
- OFN Members Receive $115 Million from the CDFI Fund
- Connecting Services and Partners at the OFN Expo
- Start Your OFN Conference Networking Today with the OFN Conference App
- CDFI Industry News
- And more...
September 7, 2017
- What to See and Do While in D.C. for OFN Conference
- Women in the CDFI Industry Network and Build a Community
- The Slate is Set—Meet the Candidates for OFN's 2017 Board Elections
- OFN Members and Allies Raise $25,000 to Support CDFI Staff Impacted by Harvey
- CDFI Industry News
- And more...
August 17, 2017
- Exploring Financial Resources for CDFIs at OFN Conference
- OFN Member Spotlight: Colorado Enterprise Fund Congressional Site Visit
- Displaced Family Finally Lays Down Roots with an Innovative CDFI Mortgage Program
- OFN Member Spotlight: BBIF Florida Congressional Site Visit
- CDFI Industry News
- And more...
August 3, 2017
- Register Now: 2017 OFN Conference
- Join Us for CDFIsInvest on the Hill
- OFN Member Spotlight: Montana and Idaho CDC Congressional Site Visit
- A CDFIstory of Propelling a Veteran-Owned Small Biz Forward with Financing
- CDFI Industry News
- And more...
July 20, 2017
- OFN Conference 2017 Theme Revealed
- House Appropriations Committee Approves FY18 Financial Services and General Government Bill
- Meet the Interns: Real World Data and Infectious Optimism with Mingming Mao
- OFN Releases CDFI Loan Fund Technology Landscape: User Survey Results
- Nominations Open for the 2017 Ned Gramlich Achievement Award for Responsible Finance
- CDFI Industry News
- And more...
June 22, 2017
- Recapping Small Business Finance Forum 2017
- Healthcare Georgia Foundation and OFN announce launch of Building the Capacity of CDFIs in Georgia
- Serve to Lead—OFN's 2017 Board Elections Are Open
- CDFI Industry News
- And more...
June 8, 2017
- Venturize Turns 1!
- OFN to Send Letter to House and Senate Leadership in Support of CDFI Funding in FY18
- Demystifying Impact Investing and Seeing its Potential
- Sharing from the Native Capital Access Convening
- Successes from Wells Fargo DCC Awardee CDFIs
- CDFI Industry News
- And more...
May 25, 2017
- Advocacy Day 2017 Recap
- OFN Opposes Administration's FY18 Budget Proposal to Eliminate Funding for CDFI Fund Programs
- Focus on Entrepreneurs of Color at Small Business Finance Forum
- OFN Partners with HBCU Community Development Action Coalition
- CDFI Industry News
- And more...
May 4, 2017
- Wells Fargo Continues Commitment to Diverse Small Businesses with Round Four of Diverse Community Capital
- Can't-Miss Sessions at 2017 Small Business Finance Forum
- Venturize on Set!
- To Report or Not to Report, That is the Question
- CDFI Industry News
- And more...
April 20, 2017
- Small Business Finance Forum Registration Opens
- OFN CEO Receives National Honor
- Call for Sessions for 2017 OFN Conference
- Congressional Site Visits
- America's Test Kitchen: Financial Services Edition
- CDFI Industry News
- And more...
April 6, 2017
- Save the (New) Date: 2017 OFN Conference in D.C.
- Share Your Small Business #CDFIstory
- Connecting to the Fundamentals of Community Development Finance
- CDFI Leaders Tackle Organizational Performance During Training for CDFI Board Members
- CDFI Industry News
- And more...
March 23, 2017
- OFN Says: Trump Budget Proposal Disappointing; Calls on Congress to Restore CDFI Fund Funding
- Act Now: Preserve Funding for the CDFI Fund
- Don't Miss the Opportunity to Attend Advocacy Day 2017
- Insights into an Alternative to Predatory Payday Lending
- Save the Date: Small Business Finance Forum
- Attention CDFIs: Please Participate in the 2017 CDFI Compensation Survey!
- CDFI Industry News
- And more...
March 9, 2017
- Veteran Economic Development Leader Lisa Mensah Named as OFN President and Chief Executive Officer
- Opportunity Fellows Program Kicks Off in Birmingham
- OFN's Equity Page Launches Today
- Call to Action: Inspire Congress to Support the CDFI Fund
- CDFI Bank and Credit Union Study Demonstrates Strong Performance
- CDFI Industry News
- And more...
February 24, 2017
- Join Us to Amplify our Message to Congress: #CDFIsInvest
- Long-term EQ2 Capital Now Available for CDFIs
- 25 Named to Inaugural Class of Opportunity Fellows
- Meet With Your Members of Congress This Week
- CDFI Industry News
- And more...
February 9, 2017
- A Call to Action: Contact Congress Now
- OFN's Q1 Hill Briefing Report
- OFN Members Share the #CDFIstory with a New Congress
- Why CDFIs Must Play a Key Role in Bridging the Racial Wealth Gap Through Business Ownership
- CDFI Industry News
- And more...
January 26, 2017
- Register for Advocacy Day 2017: More Important Now than Ever
- OFN to Host Congressional Briefing on Capitol Hill
- Three Lessons from Pay for Success Investing
- CDFI Industry News
- And more...
January 13, 2017
- Wondering What's NEXT? New Fund Set to Invest Equity and Debt in CDFI Innovations
- Creating Quality Jobs to Fight Income Inequality
- Collaborate, Connect, and Communicate with Your Network in 2017
- Get on the Map in 2017
- And more...
Click here to sign up for OFN's eNewsletter.
December 22, 2016
- Reflecting on 2016 and Looking Ahead to 2017
- Top 10 Blog Moments of 2016
- Show Congress What CDFI Success Looks Like
- And more...
December 1, 2016
- CDFI Policy Priorities and the New Political Landscape
- Lead Transformational Change as an Opportunity Fellow
- Prep for 2017 with CDFI Peers in the Midwest
- And more...
November 11, 2016
- Changes in America and the Essential Role of CDFIs
- Three Inspiring Days of CDFIs at OFN 2016 Annual Conference
- 2016 Small Business Leader Awardees Reshape Small Business Lending
- And more...
October 13, 2016
- OFN Launches CEO Search
- Annie Donovan Talks Building Resilience to Proactively Respond to Climate and Economic Changes
- Rethink Capitalization: Innovative Approaches and New Partnerships
- OFN Board Candidate Interviews
- And more...
September 29, 2016
- Rethink Impact: How CDFIs are Changing the Landscape in Atlanta
- Your Vote Counts: Meet the OFN Board Candidates
- OFN Members Receive $109 MM from the CDFI Fund
- Twenty OFN Members to Receive $57 Million in Awards for Affordable Housing
- Giving Every Child Access to High Quality Pre-K
- CDFIs and Small Businesses: A Smart Match
- And more...
September 15, 2016
- New Pre-Conference Session Provides Disaster Resilience Workshop for CDFIs
- Traveling Through Appalachia for the NEXT Awards
- OFN CEO Search Firm Selection Committee Selects Korn Ferry
- Welcome Back Congress
- How the Racial Wealth Gap Hurts Small Business Owners of Color
- Bridging the Inclusion Gap for People with Disabilities at the OFN Conference
- What Does High Impact Investing Look Like?
- And more...
August 19, 2016
- Join Us as we Rethink Community Development
- Five NEXT Awards Winners Celebrated for Their Innovations in Responsible Consumer Finance
- Federal Agencies Propose Changes to Programs Impacting CDFIs
- Election Season Kicks off For OFN Board
- The Good Work of CDFIs
- Top 10 Must Dos While in Atlanta for the OFN Conference
- Impact Investing: A Time for Change
- PIDC Borrower Tour Demonstrates Impact of CDFIs in Philadelphia
- And more...
July 2016
- 2016 OFN Conference: Rethink
- Giving Every OFN Member a Voice
- House Approves FY 2017 Funding for the CDFI Fund
- Dory Rand Reveals Insights About Online Small Business Loans
- Learning the Fundamentals of Opportunity Finance
- Success Story: Calvert Foundation CDFI
- And more...
June 2016
- Voicing Our Opposition to the Duffy-Marino Amendment
- OFN Leadership Transition
- Venturize: Connecting Small Business Owners with Smart Financing Options
- Congratulations to the 2016 Wells Fargo NEXT Opportunity Awards Finalists!
- A Small Business Finance Forum Recap
- Spotlight on: Clearinghouse CDFI
- Advocacy Day Recap
- And more...
May 2016
- Wells Fargo Diverse Community Capital Opens Round Two
- The Small Business Lending Landscape: Challenges and Opportunities
- Get Social for Advocacy Day
- Countdown to 2016 Small Business Finance Forum
- Spotlight On: CDC Small Business Finance
- Public Policy News
- And more...
April 2016
- Register Today! Strengthening Communities Through Small Business Finance
- Coming Soon: An Expanded CDFI Connect Experience
- Get Social for Opportunity Finance!
- Call for Entries: Participate in a National Small Business Campaign
- Spotlight On: Maryland Capital Enterprises, Inc. (MCE)
- Public Policy News
- And more...
March 2016
- Looking Ahead: The Future of the CDFI Industry
- Last Call to Join Us for Advocacy Day
- Public Policy: OFN Briefs Capitol Hill on Importance of Appropriations
- Spotlight on Local Enterprise Assistance Fund (LEAF)
- And more...
February 2016
- Join Us As We Stand Up for CDFIs in D.C.
- Pinsky Issues Wakeup Call Regarding CRA Mission Drift and Says it is Time to Claim High-Impact Investing
- Learn from Mission-Driven Small Business Lenders
- Public Policy: Obama Administration Releases Final Budget, Shows Strong Support for CDFIs
- Spotlight On: RCAC
- And more...
January 2016
- Five Things To Do Now to Get Ready for the 2016 BGP
- Collaborating to Create Opportunity. For All.
- Is Your CDFI NEXT?
- Public Policy: Advocacy Day
- Spotlight On: Community Works
- And more...
Click here to sign up for OFN's eNewsletter.
December 2015
- Top 10 Highlights from the OFN Conference in Detroit!
- Spotlight on: Hope Enterprise Corporation
- Public Policy News
- And more...
October 2015
- Conference is Around the Corner!
- Breakthrough Bond Issues
- Spotlight On: New Hampshire Community Loan Fund
- Public Policy News
- And more...
September 2015
- Celebrating What's NEXT in Consumer Financial Products and Services
- OFN Conference is the Must Attend Event of 2015
- Spotlight On: IFF
- Public Policy News
- And more...
August 2015
- Register Now for the 2015 OFN Conference
- Get Your CDFI Borrower Stories on the Big Screens at the Conference
- How Interning with OFN Changed My Perspective
- Become an OFN Member
- Spotlight On: NCIF and PCG Partnership Serves Community Center
- Public Policy News
- And more...
July 2015
- Small Business Draws Big Numbers
- Four Finalists for Wells Fargo NEXT Awards for Opportunity Finance
- LEAD the Opportunity Finance Industry, JOIN the OFN Board
- Spotlight on: Homewise, Inc.
- Public Policy News
- And more...
June 2015
- 2015 OFN Conference: Opportunity. Made in America.
- CDFIs Making History
- OFN's Small Business Finance Forum to Feature New Industry Strategies
- Ready, Set, Go...2015 OFN Board Nominations Begin!
- Spotlight On: Montana CDC
- Public Policy News
- And more...
May 2015
- Members Advocate on Capitol Hill
- Sharing the #CDFIstory with Policymakers
- Network and Learn With Leaders in Small Business Financing
- Spotlight On: LiftFund
- Public Policy News
- And more...
April 2015
- Transformation of CDFI Capitalization
- Expanding CDFI Coverage in Underserved Areas
- Opportunity for All: Tools You Can Use
- Spotlight On: The Disability Opportunity Fund
- Public Policy News
- And more...
March 2015
- Get Ready for 2015 Advocacy Day
- Up Next: CDFI Learning and Networking Opportunities
- New Data Available in the Side-by-Side Report
- Spotlight On: Housing Partnership Network
- Public Policy News
- And more...
February 2015
- Stretching NMTC Allotments into the CDFI Sector
- 24 Lenders Chosen Nationwide for Small Business Capacity Building Initiative
- 2015 Wells Fargo NEXT Awards for Opportunity Finance in a Nutshell
- Spotlight On: Primary Health Services Center Success Story
- Public Policy News
- And more...
January 2015
- 48 CDFI Professionals Selected for 2015 Citi Leadership Program for Opportunity Finance
- Tips for Making Internships Work…for You and Your Interns
- Consumer Financial Services are NEXT in 2015
- Spotlight on: Chi Ishobak Success Story
- Public Policy News
- And more...
Click here to sign up for OFN's eNewsletter.
December 2014
- Because Equity Summary Report Invites Exploration into Defining Equity as an Industry
- Talent Development for the Opportunity Finance Industry’s Future
- Congratulations to OFN Board of Directors Committee Members!
- Spotlight on: Florida Community Loan Fund Success Story
- Public Policy News
- And more...
November 2014
- Recap: Best Conference Ever
- CDFIs Making History
- The Campaign is On!
- Fundamentals of the Opportunity Finance Industry: Certificate in Community Development Finance
- New Board Members
- First-Ever Small Business Leader Awards
- Spotlight on: OBDC Success Story
- Public Policy News
- And more...
September 2014
- Congratulations 2014 NEXT Opportunity Awardees!
- Exciting Highlights at the 2014 OFN Conference
- The Campaign is On!
- New CDFI Fund Capacity Building Initiative
- Spotlight on: Hawaii First FCU Success Story
- Public Policy News
- And more...
August 2014
- Impact Seven: The 2014 NEXT Seed Capital Awardee
- Register Now for the 2014 OFN Conference
- OFN Issues First Ever CDFI Bond
- Small Business Leader Award Selection Committee
- Spotlight on: Entrepreneur Works Success Story
- Public Policy News
- And more...
July 2014
- 2014 NEXT Opportunity Award Finalists Announced
- Nancy Santiago Negrón Joins OFN as New CEAO
- Opportunity Finance Practitioners Head to Class
- OFN Submits a 2014 CDFI Bond Guarantee Application
- Spotlight on: Working Solutions Success Story
- Public Policy News
- And more...
June 2014
- Building Capacity for Small Business Lenders
- Now Accepting Nominations for the OFN Board!
- OFN’s Membership Growth Continues
- Spotlight on: Midwest Housing Development Fund Success Story
- Public Policy News
- And more...
May 2014
- A Replicable Model for CSR
- FY2014 CDFI Bond Guarantee Program
- Applications Open Small Business Financing Events
- Learn, Join, Lead: OFN’s Board of Directors
- Spotlight on: Craft3 Success Story
- Public Policy News
- And more...
April 2014
- Countdown to DC: Advocacy Day Is May 21
- Demand Is Up: 4Q13 Market Conditions
- OFN Expands Coverage
- Register Now: Small Business Finance Forum
- Spotlight: Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation
- Public Policy News
- And more...
March 2014
- Take the Youth Opportunity Pledge!
- CDFI Boot Camp
- New Member Q&A: Helen Smith-Godfrey, Shreveport FCU
- OFN on the Road: 2014 Regional Meetings
- Spotlight: Arizona MultiBank Success Story
- Public Policy News
- And more...
February 2014
- Q&A: HPN's Thomas Bledsoe
- Growing Microfinance to Scale Webinar Series
- Hottest Headlines on CDFI Connect
- Wanted: CDFI Success Stories
- Spotlight: Forward Community Investments
- Public Policy News
- And more...
January 2014
- NEXT Awards 2014: The Future of Housing Finance
- New TA Memo for CDFI Small Business Lenders
- Financing Community Health Centers Workshops
- Most Popular Links on CDFI Connect
- Spotlight On: Community Loan Fund of the Capital Region Success Story
- And more...
Click here to sign up for OFN's eNewsletter.
December 2013
- Citi Leadership Program for Opportunity Finance
- NEXT Awards: The Future of Housing Finance
- CDFIs Featured in the Huffington Post
- OFN Welcomes Two New Members!
- Spotlight On: Bethex FCU Success Story
- And more...
November 2013
- Recap of the Best Conference Ever!
- Financing Community Health Centers
- Side by Side—Now Available
- Congratulations New Board Members
- Spotlight On: TruFund Financial Success Story
- And more...
September 2013
- Meet the 2013 NEXT Opportunity Awardees!
- Highlights at the 2013 Conference
- New Scaling Up Microfinance Webinars
- The 2013 Campaign is On!
- Spotlight On: IFF Success Story
- And more...
August 2013
- OFN Conference: Many CDFIs, One Purpose
- 2013 NEXT Seed Capital Awardee
- Board Elections—The Slate is Set
- Nominate a Colleague Who Inspires
- Spotlight On: Craft3 Success Story
- And more...
July 2013
- The CDFI Bond... and Beyond!
- NEXT Finalists Revealed
- Recap: Small Business Finance Forum
- Submit Your Board Nomination TODAY
- Spotlight On: Opportunity Fund Success Story
- And more...
June 2013
- Moving the CDFI Opportunity Agenda Forward!
- Financing Community Health Centers Trainings
- CDFI Bond Guarantee Program is Open!
- Survey Results: Financing Healthy Food
- Spotlight On: Neighborhood Development Center Success Story
- And more...
May 2013
- Shape the Future
- Members Receive $1.08 Billion in NMTC
- CDFI Fourth Quarter 2012 Market Conditions
- New TA Memo for Small Business Lenders
- Spotlight On: Community Loan Fund Success Story
- And more...
April 2013
- Join Us for the Small Business Finance Forum
- Strengthening Small and Emerging CDFIs
- President Obama Releases FY 2014 Budget
- Join OFN!
- Spotlight On: Baltimore Community Lending Success Story
- And more...
March 2013
- Join OFN on Capitol Hill
- Strengthening Small and Emerging CDFIs
- New CDFI Compensation Survey Report Available
- Recap: Scaling Up Microfinance Trainings
- Spotlight On: ACE Success Story
- And more...
February 2013
- Help us Create More American Jobs!
- NEXT Applications Open through March 18
- Final Scaling Microfinance Workshop
- Spotlight On: Support Center Success Story
- And more...
January 2013
- NEXT Applications Open February 1
- Higher Education and CDFI Partnerships
- 10,000 Small Businesses Comes to Philly
- Now Available! 2011 Side by Side Report
- Spotlight On: REED Success Story
- And more...