Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund

The Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund is operated by the US Department of the Treasury. It was created in 1994 and has the goal of expanding the availability of credit, investment capital, and financial services in distressed urban and rural communities. The Fund provides capital to Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) that serve low-income people and distressed communities. The Fund also offers incentives to traditional banks and thrifts that partner with CDFIs or that invest in distressed communities.

CDVCA’s advocacy work relating to the CDFI Fund is primarily directed at improving the Fund’s programs for CDVC funds, but CDVCA also works as part of The Coalition of Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI Coalition) to support the broader CDFI industry, including advocacy related to the CDFI Fund for the overall industry.