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Native CDFIs Expand Economic Opportunity for Local Small Businesses and Aspiring Homeowners
1st
November
2023
AK, ID, OR

Native CDFIs Expand Economic Opportunity for Local Small Businesses and Aspiring Homeowners

November 1, 2023

Client: Various

Client Location: AK, ID, OR

CDFI: Akiptan, Haa Yakaawu, Nimiipuu Fund

CDFI Service Area: AK, ID, MT, ND, OK, OR, SC, SD, WA

CDFI Services Provided: 

Small business and affordable housing financing and technical assistance

Financial and Social Impact

Native communities strengthened through funding for local businesses and homeowners

The Native CDFI Awards honor and support Native CDFIs that are creating opportunity and promoting self-sovereignty in Indian Country nationwide. In 2022, three Native CDFIs received grants to help move their work forward in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and other areas of the Pacific Northwest and Midwest. 

Check out stories below from people positively impacted by the work of 2022 awardees Akiptan, Haa Yakaawu Financial Corporation, and Nimiipuu Fund. 

You can also learn about the 2023 awardees — NACDC Financial Services and Hawaiian Lending & Investments — who were recently honored in Washington, D.C., during the annual OFN Conference.


Client: Sakari Farms
Client Location: Bend, Oregon
CDFI: Akiptan

Spring Alaska Schreiner, owner of Sakari Farms

Established by Spring Alaska Schreiner, Sakari Farms grows traditional plants for food, medicine, and seed keeping. Akiptan provided the farm with financing for greenhouses and a commercial food kitchen. 


Client: Bales Family
Client Location: Angoon, Alaska
CDFI: Haa Yakaawu Financial Corporation

Kwan and Trina Bales in front of their own home, made possible by CDFI help

Kwan and Trina Bales never believed they would own a home. Haa Yakaawu worked with them to make their dream of homeownership a reality. 


Client: Roger Amerman
Client Location: Stites, Idaho
CDFI: Nimiipuu Fund

Roger Amerman, a nationally renowned Native artist and historian

A loan from Nimiipuu Fund helped Roger, a nationally renowned Native artist and historian, get his art and speaking business up and running again after the pandemic. 

About Native CDFIs

Led and run by tribal members, more than 70 Native CDFls help Native communities nationwide overcome barriers to economic development opportunities and capital access. 

Are you an OFN member CDFI with a great borrower story to share?

Your client success stories illustrate what it means to deliver opportunity for all. They help OFN demonstrate how CDFIs work to help create good family-wage jobs, decent affordable homes, healthy foods, greener neighborhoods, and so much more. 

Submit Your CDFI Story

Find Other CDFIs  
Interested in learning more about other CDFIs in your region? Visit OFN’s CDFI Locator.

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Read More Stories

  • California Wine Concierge and Lounge Thrives with Support from Local CDFI
    February 20, 2025
  • Michigan CDFI Finances Family-Owned Automotive Recycling Business
    February 5, 2025
  • CDFI Small Business Loan Helps San Francisco Construction Company Build Sustainable Roof
    February 4, 2025

Tags: Affordable Housing, Native CDFI, Native-Owned Business, Small Business

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