Free Tool and Resources for CDFI FA and TA Applications!

For many years, we have dedicated ourselves to perfecting our approach to preparing applications for CDFI Fund programs. We are driven by a deep commitment to ensuring our clients gain access to the vital resources they genuinely deserve. At F|A, a core value is providing essential resources to all CDFIs. We are excited to empower our community and collaboratively create a more equitable landscape for everyone!

Here are today’s ‘goodies’:

• The Weighted Economic/Demographic Data worksheet is a valuable tool for automatically calculating weighted demographics for CDFIs that work across multiple geographies. This table calculates weighted average rates for standard measures that might be cited in the narrative application. It is not part of the CDFI application; we have provided it for your convenience.

• Great Data Resources: Here is a list of resources that describe your target market and the challenges of accessing capital. Can you suggest any additional ones?

  • Census Quickfacts for Population, Households, Poverty, and Race/Ethnicity Demographic data at the State, County, or City level

  • Bureau of Labor Services One Screen Employment/Unemployment Data - You can choose multiple geographies at a time and quickly get employed-related data for all in a matter of clicks

  • St. Louis Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED) for up-to-date Median Household Income data and other interesting economic data at the county or MSA level

  • Prosperity Now Scorecard

  • Small Business Credit Survey reports

  • Black Wealth Data Center

  • Urban Institute Financial Health and Wealth Dashboard

  • Poverty Rates by County - 1960 to 2010 (Enable macros when you download and open it)

  • Datausa. for area profiles

  • tracktherecovery.org for COVID Impacts & Recovery

  • CDFI Market Map by CDFI Friendly America

  • MBDA Minority Business Fact Sheets - The last fact sheet is 2020, which is slightly outdated.

  • MBDA State-Level Minority Data - also from 2020

Enjoy!