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 Orientations. We will continue rolling out trainings on a variety of topics in the coming months, such as workshops around CDFI Financial Management; Green Lending 101; Racial Equity & Inclusion; and Impact Measurement & Management.


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

2023 Training Calendar

In 2023, OFN will offer two options for our CDFI 101 Orientations.

Option 1

In-person, half-day (3-hour) orientations adjacent to OFN events

Phoenix skyline

 

Location: Phoenix, AZ 
Related OFN Event: Phoenix Regional Meeting 

 

Location: Chicago, IL
Related OFN Event: OFN Small Business Finance Forum (June 20-21, 2023) 

Boston wharf sign

 

Location: Boston, MA 
Related OFN Event: Boston Regional Meeting 

U.S. Capitol

 

Location: Washington, D.C. 
Related OFN Event: OFN Conference (October 15-18, 2023), Pre-Conference Day 

How to register: Registration for CDFI 101 Orientations 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 training and have at least 20 attendees, OFN can provide a custom CDFI 101 Orientation 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 CDFI 101 Orientations, please reach out to Sindhu Lakshmanan. 

Toolkit Resources

The CDFI 101 toolkit aims to help educate new staff and stakeholders by providing:

  • A CDFI 101 guide
  • A history of the CDFI industry
  • An impact infographic
  • A brief glossary of organizations
  • Annual industry events
  • And more! ​​​​

To find and download the CDFI 101 toolkit for free and other OFN resources, visit OFN’s CDFI Connect Community, a digital space for OFN members, allies, funders, investors, and other CDFI industry supporters to network, collaborate, and learn.

Looking 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.  

Related

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