Publications

CDFIs' Role in Large-Scale Disaster Response
Issue Date: 2013-10-16

Moderator: Jeffrey Dekro, The Isaiah Fund
Speakers: Mark Regier, Everence Financial; Wayne Meyer, New Jersey Community Capital; Liza Cowan, JPMorgan Chase; and Alan Branson, Hope Credit Union

The goal of this session is to foster a discussion about institutionalizing the role of CDFIs in disaster response. CDFIs have played important roles in large-scale disaster recovery efforts in at-risk communities, working with partners ranging from mainstream financial institutions to faith-based philanthropies. CDFIs' in-depth knowledge of local communities and markets, experience leveraging scarce resources from many different partners, and ability to provide innovative, flexible approaches to the unique needs of at-risk communities are assets that can strengthen the effectiveness of any disaster response effort. Drawing on lessons learned from two large-scale disasters, Superstorm Sandy and Hurricane Katrina, representatives from CDFIs (New Jersey Community Capital and Hope Enterprise Corporation), mainstream financial institutions (JPMorgan Chase), and faith-based investment organizations (The Isaiah Fund and Everence Financial) will share their experiences and recommendations to kick-off this important industry discussion.

Special Session: Disaster Response
Level: General

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Cost:
FREE

Build Your Funding Applications Now
Issue Date: 2013-10-16

Presenters: Chasity Savage and Lisa Wagner, Oweesta

This workshop focuses on the all-important process of preparing your funding applications. We'll examine the basic building blocks of successful funding applications and provide strategies for avoiding common mistakes. You'll get tips on creating and maintaining the kind of information you'll need to complete your funding applications and learn systems to keep you organized and ready to apply for funding at any time of the year. Whether you're applying for Federal or private funds, this session provides valuable information for both.

Track: Native CDFIs
Level: General

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Cost:
FREE

Transformative Effects of Grocery Stores in Food Deserts
Issue Date: 2013-10-16

Presenters: Jeremy Nowak, J. Nowak & Associates, Jeffrey Brown and Donna Leuchten, UpLift Solutions

A staggering 24.6 million Americans (8% of the U.S. population) live in “food deserts,” underserved, economically distressed urban or rural areas that lack grocery stores or easy access to fresh fruits and vegetables. As a result, these communities have increased rates of obesity, diabetes, and other public health challenges. High-quality, full-service supermarkets improve the health and economic well-being of these communities. Hear from UpLift Solution and one of the leading supermarket operators on the innovative work that is being done nationally and the remaining opportunities around healthy food financing.

Track: Healthy Foods
Level: General

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Cost:
FREE

Securing the Support of Individual Donors
Issue Date: 2013-10-16

Presenter: Alan Cantor, Alan Cantor Consulting LLC and Mary Beth Bunge, Alternatives Federal Credit Union

Government grants are getting smaller and the reporting requirements are getting more onerous. Competition is rising for grants from foundations and corporations. Are CDFIs missing a huge opportunity? They surely are. Over 80% of donations to nonprofits in the U.S. come from individuals. Though a CDFI is not a traditional kind of charity like a university or a museum, you too can attract gifts from individuals. Come hear from a CDFI who has successfully done just that, and learn how the rules of the fundraising game can be applied and adapted for CDFIs.

Track: Financial Resources
Level: General

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Cost:
FREE

Introduction to Financing Cooperative Enterprises
Issue Date: 2013-10-16

Presenters: Betsy Black, Cooperative Fund of New England; Brenda Pfahnl, Northcountry Cooperative Development Fund; Margaret Lund, Co-opera Co; and Mark Fick, Chicago Community Loan Fund

For decades, cooperatives have successfully provided permanently affordable housing. More recently, communities are using cooperative models to strengthen their local economy with social enterprises and worker-owned businesses. CDFIs can play an important role in assisting these community controlled development models by financing their real estate, working capital, and equipment needs. This session starts with an overview of common cooperative structures and their economic impact in the United States. We’ll then turn to underwriting worker-owned, producer-owned, and consumer-owned businesses. Special attention will be given to retail food cooperatives, which have become a popular tool to address food security and healthy food access. You’ll come away from the session with an appreciation for this impactful business model and the issues and best practices to consider when underwriting cooperatives. You will also have the opportunity to meet local cooperative businesses and learn about their financing needs during a networking session directly following (5:30-6:15 PM).

Track: Small Business
Level: General

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Cost:
FREE

Innovations in Credit Union and Community Partnerships
Issue Date: 2013-10-16

Presenters: Alan Branson, Hope Credit Union; Pablo DeFilippi, National Federation of Community Development Credit Unions; and Dave Prosser, Freedom First Credit Union

In this speed-dating style session, participants will explore four different models of partnerships between community development credit unions (CDCUs) and community service providers/small businesses. Presenters will describe current programs such as on-site credit union services, credit union/non-profit joint project development, and online/mobile-based strategies. Presenters represent CDCUs from diverse markets – urban, rural, and mixed. Participants will learn how: 1) community organizations can partner with CDCUs to improve services and outcomes to clients and the community; 2) CDFI loan funds can increase the impact of loans made to community service providers and small businesses; and 3) CDCUs can use different partnership models to reach new members and serve the larger community.

Track: Collaborations
Level: General

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Cost:
FREE

Increasing your CDFI's Resilience through Business Continuation Planning
Issue Date: 2013-10-16

Presenter: Adina Abramowitz, Consulting for Change

Many CDFIs have completed a succession plan for the CEO or Executive Director. Yet organizations depend on the unique knowledge and relationships of many managers. This hands-on workshop will provide you with tools to identify and resolve vulnerabilities if any of your key managers were to leave the organization. These actions will make your organization more resilient and flexible, and give junior staff opportunities to learn and grow.

Track: Organizational Capacity
Level: Introductory

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Cost:
FREE

What’s in Your Technology Toolbox?
Issue Date: 2013-06-30

This report summarizes software-user feedback reported by 206 CDFI Loan Funds, CDFI Intermediaries, and CDFI Credit Unions that responded to OFN’s 2011 Software Survey. The report expands on OFN’s 2008 Loan Management Software Report to include a breakdown of three additional types of software that are frequently used by CDFIs: accounting software, outcomes/outputs tracking software, and client relationship management (CRM) software. This report is meant to provide a brief overview to CDFIs that are exploring new technology options.

Purchase

Cost:
$25.00

Impact Measurement for CDFI Small Business Lenders
Issue Date: 2013-04-01

This TA Memo discusses the measurement of the positive economic and social impacts CDFI small business lenders are having in the communities they serve. It covers: why measuring impact is important, the types of impact data currently being collected by CDFI small business lenders (as well as indicators CDFIs do not, but would like, to collect), the barriers to collecting such data, and the ways in which impact data can be proactively utilized to advance an institution’s mission.

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Cost:
FREE

CDFI Market Conditions 2012 Q4 Report I Results
Issue Date: 2013-04-01

The Opportunity Finance Network CDFI Market Conditions Report is a quarterly publication based on quarterly surveys of community development financial institutions (CDFIs). Opportunity Finance Network began conducting these surveys in October 2008 to better understand the impacts of tight credit markets and the economic downturn on the opportunity finance industry. Each report provides a near-real-time view of market conditions and CDFI responses, analysis of regional and financing sector differences, and analysis of important trends.

Download

Cost:
FREE

Publications

CDFIs' Role in Large-Scale Disaster Response
Issue Date: 2013-10-16

Build Your Funding Applications Now
Issue Date: 2013-10-16

Transformative Effects of Grocery Stores in Food Deserts
Issue Date: 2013-10-16

Securing the Support of Individual Donors
Issue Date: 2013-10-16

Introduction to Financing Cooperative Enterprises
Issue Date: 2013-10-16

Innovations in Credit Union and Community Partnerships
Issue Date: 2013-10-16

Increasing your CDFI's Resilience through Business Continuation Planning
Issue Date: 2013-10-16

What’s in Your Technology Toolbox?
Issue Date: 2013-06-30

Impact Measurement for CDFI Small Business Lenders
Issue Date: 2013-04-01

CDFI Market Conditions 2012 Q4 Report I Results
Issue Date: 2013-04-01

Pages

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Philadelphia Office

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Publications

CDFIs' Role in Large-Scale Disaster Response Issue Date: 2013-10-16

Build Your Funding Applications Now Issue Date: 2013-10-16

Transformative Effects of Grocery Stores in Food Deserts Issue Date: 2013-10-16

Securing the Support of Individual Donors Issue Date: 2013-10-16

Introduction to Financing Cooperative Enterprises Issue Date: 2013-10-16

Innovations in Credit Union and Community Partnerships Issue Date: 2013-10-16

Increasing your CDFI's Resilience through Business Continuation Planning Issue Date: 2013-10-16

What’s in Your Technology Toolbox? Issue Date: 2013-06-30

Impact Measurement for CDFI Small Business Lenders Issue Date: 2013-04-01

CDFI Market Conditions 2012 Q4 Report I Results Issue Date: 2013-04-01

Pages

Get in touch

Washington D.C. Office

Philadelphia Office

Visit Us

CDFIs' Role in Large-Scale Disaster Response
Issue Date: 2013-10-16

Build Your Funding Applications Now
Issue Date: 2013-10-16

Transformative Effects of Grocery Stores in Food Deserts
Issue Date: 2013-10-16

Securing the Support of Individual Donors
Issue Date: 2013-10-16

Introduction to Financing Cooperative Enterprises
Issue Date: 2013-10-16

Innovations in Credit Union and Community Partnerships
Issue Date: 2013-10-16

Increasing your CDFI's Resilience through Business Continuation Planning
Issue Date: 2013-10-16

What’s in Your Technology Toolbox?
Issue Date: 2013-06-30

Impact Measurement for CDFI Small Business Lenders
Issue Date: 2013-04-01

CDFI Market Conditions 2012 Q4 Report I Results
Issue Date: 2013-04-01