Dear Clients, Colleagues, and Partners:

We share your concerns about the Administration's statement regarding the funding freeze. Like you, we are waiting to get more information about how this will be implemented, especially as it relates to funding awarded in the 2024 FA/TA/NACA and CMF rounds. F|A is a dues-paying member of the CDFI Coalition, a group of CDFIs and supporters that retains a top industry lobbyist to advocate for CDFI funding. We will send updates as we receive them from the Coalition and OFN, the industry membership association.

What we do know is that, as of right now, the CDFI Fund has not paused the CDFI FA/TA/NACA Program application process, for which the funds have already been appropriated. While we await more information, don’t hit the ‘pause’ button when preparing your CDFI FA or TA funding application due March 21st. We have no ulterior motives; we are currently out of bandwidth for new clients. Our message: Stay focused on the mission to finance a more inclusive economy and equitable access to capital in this country. Don’t lose sight of what the community development finance sector has accomplished. As noted by David Fukuzawa, Nancy O. Andrews & Rebecca Steinitz In A New Blueprint for Financing Community Development:

“Community development finance has achieved delivery at scale and is now a high-performing partner in American social policy, deploying billions of dollars in socially purposed capital each year to thousands of communities nationwide.

Can I get an ‘amen”? Regardless of client status, F|A is deeply committed to sharing our insights, experiences, and best practices from nearly two decades of dedicated work with everyone. That’s why we named our blog CDFI Community Central!

Share your vision here for creating economic opportunity in your community!