2019 Annual Conference – November 19-21

SAVE THE DATE

The Native CDFI Network will hold its Annual Conference in Washington, D.C. on November 19-21. We will take advantage of the meeting location and we will have discussions with key policy makers and Native CDFI allies. Our meeting will start with in the afternoon on November 19 and wrap up at noon on November 21. We hope this will optimize travel time for our members and allow for any additional meetings while in Washington, D.C. We are excited to partner with the National Indian Gaming Association this year for conference space and location on Capitol Hill!

More details to come!

NCN UPDATED RFI for Accounting Services

Update Request for Information for Nonprofit Bookkeeping/Accounting Services

The Native CDFI Network (NCN) is requesting information from firms to provide qualifications for providing bookkeeping and accounting services. Interested parties are invited to submit a proposal to the point of contact indicated below by Thursday, June 27, 2019.

Background on Native CDFI Network

The Native CDFI Network is a coalition formed in 2009 to unify Native CDFIs serving Native trust land communities, American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians. The Network seeks to create opportunities to share our stories, identify our collective priorities, and strengthen our industry. In addition, the Native CDFI Network works to ensure that Native peoples are represented in the national policy dialogue and innovative solutions created by CDFIs are spread throughout our Native communities. The Network is a 501c3 non-profit organization.

Proposed Scope of Work: The Network is seeking information on a firm can perform professional services as follows:

Bookkeeping and Accounting Services

Accounts receivable: receive and record revenue as dictated by IRS guidelines
Accounts payable: make payments to vendors; prepare annual form 1099 filings
Maintain costs by program and/or grant designation
Review staff timesheets and proper grant allocation
Process tax withholding reporting documents as dictated by IRS guidelines
Process and enter payroll information into accounting system
Monthly reconciliation of bank accounts as well as reconciliation of all balance sheet accounts
Prepare year end reports, schedules and other documents requested by auditor
Provide audit process support as needed; research and resolve issues as they arise
Assist with any data or reports requested as part of annual tax returns

Term of Contract

Initial contract will be for 12 months.

RFI Response Contents:

Section 1: Company name, primary contact, email, phone.
Section 2: Scope of work and description of services.
Section 3: Firm’s qualifications and summary of previous and similar work for non-profit organizations.
Section 4. Management resumes and background.
Section 5. Professional references, please provide two references.

Interviews

NCN may use interviews to further evaluate the RFI responses. NCN may also request cost proposals from qualified firms. If deemed appropriate, the interviews will be conducted with selected firms or person(s) and should include the project manager.

Submittal of Proposals and Additional Information

Written proposals may be submitted electronically to jbrossy@nativecdfi.net. Please provide proposals by 6PM ET Thursday, June 27, 2019. Evaluation of the proposals will be by a selection committee.

Question can be directed to Mr. Brossy at 650-387-5899 or jbrossy@nativecdfi.net.

Meet Our New Executive Director!

March 20, 2019

We are excited to announce the selection of a new Executive Director, Jackson S. Brossy, a member of the Navajo Nation.

“Jackson comes to us with strong organizational leadership and advocacy experience working in the non-profit, private, and tribal government sectors in Indian Country. We are glad to welcome him to our team,” said Pete Upton, Board Chair of the Native CDFI Network, and also the Executive Director of Native360 Loan Fund in Nebraska.

Brossy served as head of federal relations for the Navajo Nation government for the past four years. In that timeframe he helped advance Navajo policy goals and initiatives, testified before Congress, and built solid relationships with federal policy stakeholders. Prior to working in federal strategy, he worked in the private sector as a management consultant and advised tribes and tribal corporations. He also has worked for the National Congress of American Indians where he specialized in economic development policy. Brossy was raised on the Navajo Nation and graduated from Navajo schools as well as Stanford University and the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.

“The addition of our new executive director will strengthen the Network’s internal capacity and federal presence, in order to increase representation and promote systemic and viable economic development for Native communities across the country,” said Upton.

“I am excited to join the Native CDFI Network team and contribute to their growth and mission. Growing up on the Navajo reservation, I know first-hand the urgent need for access to capital in Native communities. The Network’s membership works hard to get capital to motivated entrepreneurs, and I am happy to support their efforts to build Indian economies,” said Brossy.

Policy Committee Formed to Increase Access to Capital in Indian Country

In addition to Robin Danner (Hawaiian) as Chairperson, the Network’s Policy Committee is comprised of seasoned leaders in the Native community finance field that were appointed by the Network’s Board of Directors, including: Chrystel Cornelius (Ojibwe/Oneida), David Castillo (Nuhia Indian), Shane Jett (Cherokee), Chad Marchand, Cindy Mittlestadt, Ted Piccolo (Colville Confederated Tribes), Lakota Vogel (Cheyenne River Sioux). John Holdsclaw, IV of National Cooperative Bank and Jennifer Vasiloff of Opportunity Finance Network were named as advisory members.

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.

Native CDFI Network Welcomes New Board Members

The Native CDFI Network welcomes new board members, Robin Danner (left) and Christopher Coburn (right).

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.

Download Press Release

Leadership Transition

Native CDFI Network Board Chair, Pete Upton, addresses the audience at our 2018 Annual Conference & Advocacy Day in Washington, DC.

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.

Tanya Fiddler Discusses Economic Parity in Native Communities on Power Station

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 Announces RFP for Leadership Program Mini Grants

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:

Financial Management
Fundraising
Marketing & Communications
Community Facilities
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

Download Report

Native CDFI Network Launches Campaign for National Financial Literacy Month

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.

Native CDFI Network Joins National Week of Action, Advocates for Economic Opportunity for Native Americans

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.