New Capacity Building Initiative Training Focuses on Native CDFIs

The Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI Fund) announced today that it will launch a new Capacity Building Initiative training and technical assistance series, Building Native CDFIs' Sustainability and Impact, later this year. The series, presented by NeighborWorks America, will provide specialized training and technical assistance to Native Community Development Financial Institutions (Native CDFIs) in order to foster their growth and sustainability, and to enhance their ability to deliver financial services and financial products to Native American, Alaskan Native, and Native Hawaiian communities (Native Communities).

"Supporting Native CDFIs across the country has been a priority for our organization since the creation of the Native Initiatives in 2001," said Acting CDFI Fund Director Dennis Nolan. "This new training series is a unique opportunity for these important financial institutions, who are often serving highly economically distressed and rural areas, to receive individualized support to bolster their own growth and capacity to serve their communities."

This Capacity Building Initiative series will provide a wide range of specialized training, technical assistance, and peer learning opportunities designed to meet the unique needs of Native CDFIs at all stages of growth. Multifaceted group training and individualized technical assistance will be tailored to meet the specific needs of each participating Native CDFI. Examples of assistance that can be provided include developing lending policies and procedures; improving compliance practices; strengthening board governance practices; pursuing expansion strategies; or exploring capitalization strategies such as loan portfolio sales or how to participate in New Markets Tax Credit financing deals.

All certified Native CDFIs are eligible to participate in this training and technical assistance series and may elect a combination of services that best suit their needs. Emerging Native CDFIs are eligible to participate on a case-by-case basis, with more information to be provided on the CDFI Fund's website in the near future. NeighborWorks will partner with Seven Sisters Community Development Group to implement the series.

The CDFI Fund will post upcoming training opportunities to its website, www.cdfifund.gov/cbi, in the coming months. The CDFI Fund will also post to its website a virtual Resource Bank containing curricula and informational materials from the series.

For more information about the Capacity Building Initiative, please view the Fact Sheet or visit www.cdfifund.gov/cbi.

About the CDFI Fund

Since its creation in 1994, the CDFI Fund has awarded more than $2 billion to CDFIs, community development organizations, and financial institutions through the CDFI Program, the Bank Enterprise Award Program, the Capital Magnet Fund, the Financial Education and Counseling Pilot Program, and the Native American CDFI Assistance Program. In addition, the CDFI Fund has allocated $40 billion in tax credit allocation authority to Community Development Entities through the New Markets Tax Credit Program, and $525 million has been guaranteed in bonds through the CDFI Bond Guarantee Program. To learn more about the CDFI Fund and its programs, please view the Fact Sheet or visit the CDFI Fund's website at www.cdfifund.gov.

About NeighborWorks America

NeighborWorks America has created opportunities for people to improve their lives and strengthen their communities by providing access to homeownership and to safe and affordable rental housing. In the last five years, NeighborWorks organizations have generated more than $22.5 billion in reinvestment in these communities. NeighborWorks America is the nation's leading trainer of community development and affordable housing professionals. More information about NeighborWorks America can be found at www.neighborworks.org.