Get Ready for the Next Capital Magnet Fund Application Round: Webinar and Important Tips!
Update December 7, 2022: View the pre-application webinar recording and presentation here.
Interested in applying for a Capital Magnet Fund Award? You may find the following information helpful in getting started. The CDFI Fund is tentatively planning to open the fiscal year (FY) 2023 application round in early 2023.
When did the CDFI Fund stop accepting new CDFI Certification Application and Target Market modifications? When will the blackout period end?
The CDFI Fund paused acceptance of new CDFI Certification Applications and Target Market modification requests on October 1, 2022. The CDFI Fund will resume accepting new CDFI Certification Application submissions and Target Market modification requests when the new CDFI Certification Application is deployed.
Why did the CDFI Fund pause acceptance of new CDFI Certification Applications and Target Market modifications?
The blackout period is needed to allow the CDFI Fund time to adjudicate comments that it received during the new Certification Application public comment submission process; build and test the new Application and its related reporting tools in the Awards Management Information System (AMIS); and review pending CDFI Certification Applications, Target Market modifications, and other tasks that must be completed prior to deployment of the new Application and its reporting tools.
Are there any other Certification-related items that will also be on pause during this time period?
In addition to CDFI Certification Applications and Target Market Modification Applications, the CDFI Fund will also discontinue monthly CDFI Certification Conference Calls during the blackout period, but will resume the calls once the blackout period ends.
When will currently Certified CDFIs need to comply with the revised CDFI Certification Application criteria and reporting requirements?
The CDFI Fund will implement a transition period for currently Certified CDFIs after the revised Application and reporting requirements are launched. Additional information regarding the exact date by which existing CDFIs will be required to comply with the revised CDFI Certification guidelines is forthcoming.
Who do I contact if I have a question about a CDFI Certification or Target Market Modification issue?
Any questions regarding CDFI Certification should be directed to the Certification, Compliance Monitoring and Evaluation Help Desk via an AMIS Service Request, via e-mail at ccme@cdfi.treas.gov, or phone at (202) 653-0423.
Please do not submit multiple Service Requests for responses to the same questions. Due to the volume of incoming CDFI Certification and Target Market Modification Service Requests, responses to Service Requests will be delayed. However, the CDFI Fund is reviewing and responding to ALL incoming Service Requests, in turn.
After the blackout period ends, will organizations be required to apply using the new CDFI Certification Application?
Yes. Once the blackout period ends and the intake of CDFI Certification Applications resumes, organizations without an existing CDFI Certification will be required to use the new CDFI Certification Application process.
My organization has not yet submitted a CDFI Certification Application. If an Application is submitted prior to the start of the blackout period, will it still be accepted and reviewed?
Yes. All CDFI Certification Applications and Target Market Modification Applications submitted through AMIS prior to the start of the blackout period on October 1, 2022 will be accepted and reviewed by the CDFI Fund.
If my organization currently has a pending CDFI Certification Application or Target Market Modification Application, when should I expect a determination?
The CDFI Fund is the process of evaluating all CDFI Certification Applications and Target Market Modification Applications that were submitted prior to October 1, 2022. The CDFI Fund anticipates completing these evaluations by May 31, 2023. On a case-by-case basis, there may be delays in delivering a determination to some organizations. Organizations should submit an AMIS Service Request for any questions related to the evaluation of a pending Application.