The Native CDFI Network (NCN) officially released its 2024 Q1 Policy and Advocacy Report for NCN members, supporters, partners, and other key stakeholders.
The report outlines NCN’s major policy and advocacy achievements and advancements from the first quarter of 2024. Key highlights featured in the report include endorsement for the Tribal Rural Housing Access Act (S. 3906) to expand housing access for tribal communities, including provisions benefiting Native CDFIs (see other advocacy efforts here). NCN hosted two webinars with USDA highlighting specific programs that could benefit Native communities including the Rural Development Business Grant Program (RBDG), the Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program (RMAP), and the Intermediary Relending Program (IRP). In February, Initiate Prosperity was launched as a new benefit to Native CDFI members, which is an extensive collection of online business resources tailored to support independent Native business owners.
Significantly, the NCN application was announced as one of five selected to receive grant funding under the CCIA program. NCN will receive $400 million that will be deployed throughout Indian Country in the form of clean energy loans for homeowners, small-business owners, and tribal community organizations. The grants will also allow NCN to issue subgrants to Native CDFIs for technical assistance and capacity building.
If you are interested in supporting NCN in their endeavors to be a national voice and advocate that strengthens and promotes Native CDFIs by creating access to capital and resources for Native peoples, and collectively advancing policy priorities that foster systemic and sustainable Native community and economic development, please click here to donate.