February 25, 2019

The Native CDFI Network has announced our 2019 Policy Committee, which will formalize our advocacy efforts and serve as a vehicle to empower our members in policy dialogues. The committee will be led by Robin Danner (Hawaiian), a member of the Network’s Board of Directors and also the Chief Executive Officer of Homestead Community Development Corporation in Hawaii.

“I’m honored to be leading a national policy committee dedicated to Native CDFIs. This committee is a hands-on working group that will bring the voices of our members together to formulate our policy priorities and drive our policy goals. That’s really important, because policy is only meaningful if it’s connected back to the grassroots,” says Danner.

Over the next year, our Policy Committee will:

• Continue advocating for funding from the U.S. Treasury’s CDFI Fund
• Explore how New Markets Tax Credits and Opportunity Zones can channel investments into Indian Country
• Begin building bridges between Native CDFIs and other federal agencies

“We’re going to ensure that our members are adequately supported as they educate Members of Congress about the levels of need and opportunity to create economic impact in Indian Country. Native CDFIs are proven drivers of economic growth, and many of our representatives still don’t know that,” says Danner.

Our 2017 survey provided a snapshot of a small slice of the Native community finance industry, revealing that 21 Native CDFIs representing 47 tribal communities deployed $86 million in loans. As a result of those loans, 211 families purchased or rehabilitated homes, 205 entrepreneurs started or expanded businesses, and 2,077 jobs were created or retained. All of this was done in areas where the average median income was only $29,000.

“We have a compelling story to tell that justifies the need to expand programs and funding to Native CDFIs. Unfortunately, economic progress in Indian Country has historically been stifled by bureaucratic barriers. However, we have seen time and again how Native CDFIs open the gates to capital and financial tools that economically empower our Native people,” says Danner.

January 30, 2019

We are excited to announce two new board members, growing our governing body to nine seats. Our newly-elected members are Christopher Coburn (Muscogee Creek), the Chief Executive Officer of Mvskoke Loan Fund in Oklahoma, and Robin Danner (Hawaiian), the Chief Executive Officer of Homestead Community Development Corporation in Hawaii.

“Both Robin and Chris come to us with vast skill sets and strong ties in Indian Country. We are glad to welcome them to our team,” says Pete Upton, Board Chair of the Native CDFI Network, and also the Executive Director of Native360 Loan Fund in Nebraska.

Danner was a founding co-chair of the Network in 2009, and saw the organization through its initial stages of development. In reconnecting with the Network, she is dedicated to pushing federal policy to the heights of the industry’s capacity. As a board member, Danner will serve as our Policy Committee Chair and work to develop policy priorities that every Native CDFI can identify with.

Coburn has implemented an aggressive, goal-oriented plan for Mvskoke Loan Fund since he joined the organization in July of 2017. He joins our board with 25 years of management experience serving a wide variety of industries, including consumer and commercial banking, higher education, public utilities, and marketing. During his term on the Board of Directors, he’ll serve as the Organizational Development Committee Chair.

“The addition of these two new seats really rounds out our governing body, creating stronger representation for Native communities across the country,” says Upton.

The Native CDFI Network’s Board of Directors is comprised of a diverse group of Native CDFI practitioners, representing the Great Plains, Mid-West, Pacific Northwest, Alaska and Hawaii regions. All of the board members have a long history of working in Indian Country as well as experience in implementing innovative solutions that increase access to capital in Native communities.

“Our Board of Directors is looking forward to a great year in 2019,” says Upton.

 

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January 4, 2019

Our Board of Directors has announced a leadership transition underway at the Native CDFI Network. Our founding Executive Director, Tanya Fiddler, will be pursuing new opportunities. We wish Tanya the best of luck in her new ventures and would like to thank her for her many contributions to the Native CDFI Network as well as Indian Country. Tanya was involved with the Native CDFI Network since its original formation in 2009 and saw the organization through several years of growth.

We are proud that the Native CDFI Network has developed into a strong advocate and has worked hard to bring Native CDFIs to the table in regional and national policy dialogues. Our collective effort has been paramount to creating access to capital in Native communities. We will continue uniting the Native voice to achieve our policy agenda, and working to build the capacity of Native CDFIs across the country.

The Native CDFI Network’s Board of Directors is fully committed to ensuring a smooth transition. Our Board Chair, Pete Upton, (Executive Director of Native360 Loan Fund), will actively managing this leadership transition and will be guiding the Network’s daily operations. Should you have any questions, Pete welcomes your phone calls and emails.

Pete Upton
Native CDFI Network, Board Chair
phone – 308-850-0303
email – pete@native360.org

As we start out this new year, we are hopeful for what the future will bring and are excited to lead the Native CDFI Network through this new phase of development.

November 25, 2018

While in Washington DC for our Annual Conference and Advocacy Day, Native CDFI Network’s Executive Director, Tanya Fiddler, was interviewed by Power Station. During the interview Tanya expertly explained what Native community development financial institutions (CDFIs) are, how they are transforming Native communities, and why they are so important in creating pathways out of poverty and into prosperity. Tanya and the host also discuss the Native CDFI Network’s policy and advocacy efforts at tribal, state, and federal levels and strategies aimed at creating economic parity.

Listen Now

NCN Leadership Program 2017 – 2018 Mini Grant Request for Proposals

The Native CDFI Network (NCN) invites NCN Native CDFI Members to apply for a limited number of mini grants to support the development of core Native CDFI skills that include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Financial Management
2. Fundraising
3. Marketing & Communications
4. Community Facilities
5. Federal, State and Tribal Policy

Program Description:

NCN Native CDFI Members may request up to $5,000 to cover costs associated with building core skills.  This could include hiring a consultant, attending a training, purchasing software, etc. Funds will also be used to cover grantee travel and lodging costs associated with attending the NCN Annual Member Meeting in 2018.  NCN does not provide overhead support or indirect costs to grantees.  Grantees will also receive training, mentoring and coaching from NCN staff, partners or their peers to accomplish their core skill building goals.  The NCN awards committee will review the proposals and make funding decisions with guidance from NCN partners.

Proposal Deadline: July 31, 2017

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April 1, 2016

Native CDFIs have seen first-hand the positive impact increased financial literacy is creating for Native American individuals and families. Since April was officially proclaimed National Financial Literacy Month, it has been a time to share those stories and renew our commitment to empowering our Native American individuals, families, and communities through increased financial knowledge.

The Native CDFI Network has launched a public awareness and advocacy campaign for National Financial Literacy Month in order to….

raise awareness about the importance of financial literacy and call attention to the impact increased financial capability has on Native American individuals, families, and communities.

Throughout the month the Network will be working to capture the attention of the media, policymakers, and funders to share challenges and successful strategies for increasing financial capability in Native communities.

Read the full announcement.

January 25, 2016

The Native CDFI Network launched an intensive public awareness and advocacy campaign in conjunction with the Corporation for Enterprise Development’s (CFED’s) Assets & Opportunity National Week of Action. The goal of the campaign is to call attention to the issues of financial insecurity and inequality that Native American families across this country are facing, while highlighting successful solutions that create economic opportunity for all.

“Historically, there has been very little investment in Native communities, and that has left us behind in the ways of infrastructure, economic development, and asset creation. The good news is that there are many organizations out there working overtime to level the playing field,” says Tanya Fiddler, Executive Director of the Native CDFI Network.

The campaign, taking place from January 25-29, 2016, is anchored in the release of CFED’s annually-published Assets & Opportunity Scorecard, a powerful research and advocacy tool that helps paint a picture of household financial insecurity in the United States. The Scorecard revealed that in Montana and South Dakota – states with some of the highest number of Indian reservations – state policies are doing little to improve financial security for residents.

Read the press release.

Read the article in Indian Country Today.

Listen to the interview with Tanya Fiddler on South Dakota Public Broadcasting.

November 4, 2015

From the highest offices of government to your personal bank account, debt is a big part of your daily life. Congress deals with the country’s debt by raising the government’s limit just before the deadline. But most people have no such power over how they pay off their mortgages or student loans.

We’ll discuss different kinds of debt and how the people’s views have changed over the years. We’ll also talk about strategies to get out of debt and preparing your budget for the holiday spending season. When is taking on debt a good idea?

Listen to Tanya Fiddler’s radio interview on Native America Calling.

October 5, 2015

The Native CDFI Network, a national association of Native community development financial institutions (CDFIs) that work to increase access to capital in Native communities, is excited to announce a major developmental milestone in the organization’s continued growth. Tanya Fiddler (Cheyenne River Sioux) has been hired to lead the Network as it’s first-ever Executive Director.

“As a founding Co-Chair and former Chairperson of the Network’s Board of Directors, a member of the U.S. Treasury’s Community Development Advisory Board, and the former head of Four Bands Community Fund, a leading Native CDFI, Tanya is uniquely suited to become the first Executive Director of the Native CDFI Network,” said Ted Piccolo, newly-elected Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Native CDFI Network and also the Executive Director of the Northwest Native Development Fund, a Native CDFI based in Washington.

Read the press release.

January 30, 2015
The Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis’ Community Dividend asks Gerald Sherman, interim CEO of the Native Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) Network, for his insights on the past, present, and future of the Native CDFI sector. Read the article.