Los Angeles, California – The Native CDFI Network (NCN) is proud to announce that its CEO, Pete Upton, has been elected to the Board of Directors of Clearinghouse Community Development Financial Institution (Clearinghouse CDFI) during its Annual Shareholders Meeting held on March 27, 2025.
Upton, a citizen of the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska and a nationally recognized leader in community development finance, also serves as Executive Director of Native360 Loan Fund, which provides capital and technical assistance to Native communities across Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa, and South Dakota.
Under Upton’s leadership, the Native CDFI Network secured a historic $400 million award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Clean Communities Investment Accelerator (CCIA) program in 2024—representing the largest federal investment ever made into Native Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs). This award is part of the EPA’s broader $27 billion Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF) initiative, which aims to accelerate energy adoption in low-income and disadvantaged communities. At this time, Upton is actively engaging with policymakers and stakeholders in Washington, D.C., to protect Native access to these resources amid renewed efforts to rescind or reduce GGRF funding by EPA.
“Clearinghouse CDFI’s mission aligns perfectly with the goals of the Native CDFI Network—especially our vision to expand and strengthen Native CDFIs nationally,” said Upton. “I enjoy serving on Clearinghouse CDFI’s Native American Advisory Board, Chaired by Gerald Sherman, and it’s an honor to now join the Board of Directors of this organization that has demonstrated such deep commitment to Indian Country and underserved communities throughout the U.S. I look forward to building on this partnership and expanding this network as NCN continues it work across Indian Country.”
“Pete provides invaluable experience, perspective and guidance to Clearinghouse CDFI’s mission-driven Board of Directors, Native American Advisory Board and staff. We are excited to work even closer with the Native CDFI Network, and its partners, to support important policy initiatives and increase impactful financing in Indian Country,” says Doug Bystry, President & CEO of Clearinghouse CDFI.
Andy Gordon, Executive Advisor of Clearinghouse CDFI also shares, “Pete and NCN’s leadership in Native CDFI advocacy strengthens the shared and enduring commitment of our organizations to meaningfully understand and address expressed needs, hopes and dreams in Indian Country.”
Clearinghouse CDFI is a leading community development financial institution that addresses unmet credit needs nationwide. Over the past 28 years, Clearinghouse CDFI has successfully deployed more than $2.7 billion in lending to underserved communities—demonstrating a deep and ongoing commitment to economic equity, including intentional investment in Indian Country. Since 2013, Clearinghouse CDFI has provided over $150 million to multiple Native American projects serving 12 tribal communities. As a Certified B Corporation, Clearinghouse CDFI meets rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency—using business as a force for good. For more information about Clearinghouse CDFI, visit www.ccdfi.com.
The Native CDFI Network, founded in 2009, is the largest Native membership organization representing Native Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs). NCN works to ensure that Native CDFIs have the resources, capacity, and voice to strengthen Native economies and create lasting impact in tribal communities. For more information about the Native CDFI Network, visit www.nativecdfi.net.