OFN Training
Overview
OFN’s new training resources and tools aim to help CDFI practitioners and partners expand the knowledge and skills they need to achieve the greatest impact in the communities they serve.
OFN is currently offering CDFI 101 Orientation and CDFI Financial Management. We will continue rolling out trainings on a variety of topics in the coming months, such as workshops on Climate Lending 101; Racial Equity & Inclusion; and Impact Measurement & Management.
Available Trainings
CDFI 101 Orientations
OFN’s CDFI 101 Orientations build off our CDFI 101 Toolkit and aim to help participants:
- Connect more deeply to the CDFI industry and common goals we share
- Understand what it means to be part of a movement built over the past 50 years
- Be inspired by the industry’s roots
- Increase understanding of what CDFIs are, how CDFIs do what they do, why CDFIs exist, what the industry’s impact has been to date, and current trends
Make connections with fellow attendees in an interactive training that includes:
- Discussions that dive deeper into the history of the industry, CDFI business model, and current trends and priority topics
- Facilitated networking
- Opportunities to hear from early CDFI practitioners and other CDFI leaders
Financial Management Workshop
This half-day workshop is intended to help practitioners build their CDFI’s organizational resiliency through financial management. The workshop will walk attendees through the CAMEL framework and key best practices; share corresponding excel tools developed by OFN, such as a KPI dashboard; and help practitioners start tailoring these concepts, materials, and tools to the needs of their CDFI.
2023 Training Calendar*
In 2023, OFN will offer two options for our CDFI 101 Orientations and other training.
*Please see event registration pages for the most up-to-date details on available training.
Option 1
In-person, half-day (3-hour) training adjacent to OFN events
Tuesday, April 25, 2023
OFN is offering two new in-person training programs the day before OFN’s regional meeting in Phoenix on April 25! Attendees can register solely for a training or add on training(s) to their regional meeting registration. Both trainings will take place at Arizona State University’s Downtown Phoenix Campus (the Concho Room).
OFN thanks Citi Foundation for supporting these trainings.
Financial Management Workshop
This half-day workshop is intended to help practitioners build their CDFI’s organizational resiliency through financial management. The workshop will walk attendees through the CAMEL framework and key best practices; share corresponding Excel tools developed by OFN, such as a KPI dashboard; and help practitioners start tailoring these concepts, materials, and tools to the needs of their CDFI.
Time: 9:00am-12:00pm MST
Sold Out!
CDFI 101 Orientation
Are you new to the CDFI industry or a current practitioner who wants to learn more about the CDFI industry? Join us for this half-day orientation to dive into the evolution of the industry; engage in networking; participate in facilitated discussions on CDFI impact and current trends; and hear from CDFI leaders.
Time: 2:00-5:00pm MST
Cost: $50 for OFN members/allies; $100 for non-members
Tuesday, June 20, 2023
Available training: CDFI 101 Orientation
Location: Chicago, IL
Related OFN Event: OFN Small Business Finance Forum (June 20-21, 2023)
Stay tuned, more details to come!
Thursday, June 22, 2023
Available training: Financial Management Workshop
Location: Chicago, IL
Related OFN Event: OFN Small Business Finance Forum (June 20-21, 2023)
Stay tuned, more details to come!
Monday, July 10, 2023
Available training: CDFI 101 Orientation
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Related OFN Event: Minneapolis Regional Meeting
Stay tuned, more details to come!
Tuesday, August 8, 2023
Available training: CDFI 101 Orientation
Location: Boston, MA
Related OFN Event: Boston Regional Meeting
Stay tuned, more details to come!
October 15-18, 2023
Available training: CDFI 101 Orientation, Financial Management Workshop
Location: Washington, D.C.
Related OFN Event: OFN Conference (October 15-18, 2023), Pre-Conference Day
Stay tuned, more details to come!
How to register?
Registration for trainings will open when registration for the related OFN event opens. Interested participants can either register solely for the training or add-on an OFN training when registering for the related OFN event.
Option 2
Custom virtual or in-person orientation
If you are seeking to host a CDFI orientation or other training and have at least 20 attendees, OFN can provide a custom training virtually or in-person.
- Complete this survey to request a custom seminar.
- Pricing will vary based on type of orientation (in-person or virtual), number of attendees, type of space required for the orientation (e.g., whether or not OFN would need to find an event space), and other variables. OFN will share estimated pricing for the orientation once the survey has been submitted and your request has been reviewed.
- If you have any questions regarding custom training, please reach out to Sindhu Lakshmanan.
Toolkit Resources
CDFI 101 Toolkit
OFN's CDFI 101 toolkit aims to help practitioners feel better connected to the CDFI industry and the common goals we all share; understand what it means to be a part of the movement built over the past 50 years; and be inspired by the industry’s roots.
Download
Talent Recruitment, Retention & Management
This toolkit aims to assist CDFIs with finding the right people, with the right skills, at the right time for the organization; supporting equitable hiring, retention, and advancement practices; providing insights into staffing trends; and offering actionable examples that make it easy to implement the leading practices shared.
Download
Operationalizing Racial Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (REIA) into Lending Practices
This toolkit was developed to help CDFIs incorporate an explicit focus on racial equity, inclusion, and accessibility into their lending practices. You'll find a guide structured in four sections, each with suggested actions and activities you can undertake individually or as a group.
DownloadLooking for more CDFI 101 training?
OFN has partnered with the Carsey School of Public Policy’s Center for Impact Finance to offer a virtual, three-week Fundamentals of the Opportunity Finance Industry course. This course will be offered twice in 2023. Please find more information here.