WASHINGTON, D.C. — In a compelling op-ed published this week in Tribal Business News, Pete Upton, CEO of the Native CDFI Network (NCN), calls on federal policymakers to reaffirm their commitment to Native Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) by maintaining — and growing — critical investments.
The op-ed, titled “Double Down on What Works: Invest in Native CDFIs — Don’t Eliminate Them,” responds directly to recent federal budget proposals and policy shifts that threaten to defund or diminish Native CDFIs.
“Now is not the time to walk away from Native CDFIs,” Upton writes. “It’s time to double down.”
Native CDFIs are specialized lenders that expand access to capital, financial services, and opportunity in Native communities. With a 25-year track record of proven impact, Native CDFIs support Tribal sovereignty and economic growth through homeownership, small business development, clean energy lending, and more.
In his op-ed, Upton emphasizes:
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The historic bipartisan support Native CDFIs have received from Congress;
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The role of Native CDFIs in building sustainable, community-driven economies;
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The risk of undoing decades of progress through shortsighted budget cuts.
Released alongside the op-ed is NCN’s 2024–2025 Difference Makers Impact Report, which chronicles the stories of Native entrepreneurs who are building restaurants, launching fishing operations, preserving traditional foods, and restoring financial stability in communities long overlooked by mainstream finance. The report showcases how 69 Native CDFIs across 27 states are not just lenders — they are builders of economic ecosystems.
“We don’t just fund small businesses — we fuel dreams and build the foundation for thriving Native economies,” Upton writes in the report’s opening letter.
🔗 Explore the full 2024–25 Difference Makers Impact Report.
The Native CDFI Network encourages stakeholders, policymakers, and allies to read and share the op-ed widely to raise awareness and mobilize support. This is a pivotal moment for our movement, and your voice matters.