Watch OFN’s 2021 CONNECT+ Webinar Series On-Demand!
OFN is proud to help build the capacity of our more than 360 member organizations by offering webinars, trainings, and other professional development opportunities focused on high-priority topics for CDFIs. In 2021, one of our featured offerings was our virtual CONNECT+ webinar series led by subject matter experts and other distinguished leaders.
Revisit content on-demand by using your login credentials or by registering online.
- Child Care is Community Development: How CDFIs Can Lead the Charge
December 14, 2021
Join us to hear a panel of experts in the Early Care and Education (ECE) sector discuss the challenges and opportunities related to financing in the childcare sector. The panel provides concrete examples of how CDFIs can engage with childcare providers, including a state capital financing model, a project co-locating childcare with affordable housing, and a major capital project supporting an ECE organization. Throughout, the presentation touches on the importance of partnerships, technical assistance, and training. - Build Back Better Act for CDFIs
December 8, 2021
Throughout 2021, federal policymakers turned to CDFIs to help reach disinvested and low-wealth communities. This year has had historic funding for CDFIs, impactful regulatory changes, and now the potential for significant new investment through the Build Back Better Act. Join the OFN Public Policy team to hear more about these policy changes and opportunities. Also hear Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Chairman of the Senate Banking Committee, provide opening remarks. - What’s Next for CDFIs at USDA Rural Development?
November 30, 2021
This webinar begins with a conversation between Undersecretary for Rural Development Xochitl Torres-Small and OFN President & CEO Lisa Mensah. The conversation is followed by the Administrators or Acting Administrators for RBCS, RHS, and RUS sharing Agency priorities, explaining updates on existing programs, and discussing new opportunities for CDFIs. Program experts present on IRP/RMAP and the new, streamlined OneRD Guarantee Loan Initiative. - CDFIs and Leveraging the State Small Business Credit Initiative?
June 3, 2021
On March 11, 2021, President Biden signed The American Rescue Plan Act, which provided $10 billion to fund the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI). This program builds off the original SSBCI developed in 2011 in response to the Great Recession and funded at $1.5 billion. This new iteration, also administered by state governments, expands in scale and includes new features particularly geared toward the strengths of CDFIs. The webinar features a representative from Treasury to explain the SSBCI program and answer questions, as well as CDFIs from Georgia and California who share how they utilized SSBCI funds in the first round and how they anticipate using the SSBCI program this time.
Thanks to all the OFN staff and CDFI industry leaders and other practitioners who contributed to the success of our 2021 CONNECT+ webinar series! We also thank Wells Fargo for generously sponsoring the series and allowing us to offer the webinars free of charge!
Stay tuned for our 2022 schedule of virtual and in-person events!