Advancing Housing for Members of Native American Tribes

Join subject matter experts from Freddie Mac and Lakota Funds for an interactive discussion on HeritageOne – an innovative mortgage solution designed to meet the borrowing needs of members of federally recognized Native American tribes living in tribal areas. ...

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Exploring Mortgage Options for Native Homebuyers

Freddie Mac recently published an article taking a closer look at some of the most prominent mortgage programs and products available to Native homebuyers....

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SSBCI Opportunities for CDFI Loan Funds

The U.S. Treasury has recently published a paper, State Small Business Credit Initiative: Opportunities for CDFI Loan Funds....

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Nominate a Native CDFI Leader for the 2023 Ned Gramlich Award

Opportunity Finance Network (OFN) established the Ned Gramlich Lifetime Achievement Award for Responsible Finance in memory of former board member and Federal Reserve Board Governor, Ned Gramlich. The spirit of the award is to celebrate people of distinction who have produced a body of work that sets them apart within...

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CDFI Fund Implementing Civil Rights Act Compliance Reporting Requirements

The Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI Fund) is requiring all award applicants complete a Title VI Compliance Worksheet once annually with their applications, as well as their prospective sub-recipients that are not direct beneficiaries of federal financial assistance....

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FDIC Webinar: Access to Affordable Bank Accounts in North and South Dakota

On Thursday, August 24, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. ET, the FDIC will host a webinar to provide an overview of the FDIC 2021 Survey of Unbanked and Underbanked Households...

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USDA Launches Pilot Programs to Increase Affordable Homeownership Opportunities for People on Tribal Lands

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Acting Under Secretary Roger Glendenning announced that USDA is launching two pilot programs to increase affordable homeownership opportunities for people on Tribal lands....

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Application Window is Open for the Rural Energy for America Technical Assistance Grant Program

The purpose of the USDA Rural Energy for America Technical Assistance Grant Program (REAP) is to enable applicants to provide technical assistance to Agricultural Producers and Rural Small Businesses applying to REAP, with priority for Applicants assisting distressed or disadvantaged communities and for Applicants pursuing projects using underutilized technologies or seeking grants...

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Greening Commercial Real Estate and Community Facilities in Low-Income and Disadvantaged Communities Webinar

In the Equitable Greenhouse Gas Reduction Webinar Series, presenters will address why and how to "green" community facilities and commercial real estate to deliver equitable greenhouse gas reduction and meaningful co-benefits in and for low-income and disadvantaged communities....

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Treasury Department Announces Formal Listening Session with Native CDFIs

Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury announced it will host a Listening Session for Native Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) on Friday, August 18, 2023 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Eastern time....

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Corrections Made to the Notice of Funding Availability for USDA 502 Native Community Development Financial Institution (NCDFI) Relending Demonstration Program FY 2023

Native CDFI housing lenders, we want to make sure you saw the notice of corrections to the USDA 502 Native Community Development Financial Institution (NCDFI) Relending Demonstration Program FY 2023....

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The CDFI Fund’s Advisory Board Virtual Meeting has been Rescheduled

The meeting of the Community Development Advisory Board (the Advisory Board) originally scheduled for July 7, 2023, has been rescheduled for Monday, July 31, 2023, from 2:00 to 3:00 PM ET. This meeting will be conducted virtually....

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Congratulations to NCN Members who are SSBCI Award Recipients

The Biden-Harris Administration is announcing approval of the first 15 Tribal State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) awards for tribal governments funded by the American Rescue Plan, providing $73 million to 39 Tribal Governments to support Tribal enterprises and small business owners, as part of President Biden’s Investing in America...

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President Joe Biden Releases a Statement on the Indian Child Welfare Act Ruling

On Thursday, June 15, 2023, the Supreme Court preserved the system that gives preference to Native American families in foster care and adoption proceedings of Native children. ...

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Freddie Mac Expands Affordable Financing for Homeownership in Native Communities 

The Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation — more commonly known as Freddie Mac —  plans to launch a new mortgage product designed to support homeownership among Native Americans....

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Leech Lake Financial Services Provides an Innovative Lending Program for Their Borrowers

The Minneapolis Star Tribune released a recent article on the Leech Lake Financial Services Credit Builder program which was spearheaded by LLFS Executive Director, Rob Aitken....

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Native Community Development Financial Institution Relending Demonstration Program Webinar

On Tuesday, June 20 at 2:00 PM ET, the Single Family Housing Direct Division will be offering a webinar for Native Community Development Financial Institutions (NCDFI’s) to provide an overview and discussion of the application process outlined in the Native Community Development Financial Relending Demonstration Program-Notice of Funding Availability....

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CDFI Fund Financial Assistance & RRP TLR Webinar

The Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI Fund) will be conducting a Q&A webinar session on how to complete and submit Transaction Level Reports (TLRs) in the Awards Management Information System (AMIS)....

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Credit Ready Meat and Poultry Lending Professional Training – Virtual Series

The USDA Credit Ready Meat and Poultry Lending Professional Training - Virtual Series is designed for individuals who work at community-based lending institutions (credit unions, CDFIs, and community banks) and other entities eligible for the Meat and Poultry Intermediary Lending Program or the Food Supply Chain Guaranteed Loan Program who are interested in increasing...

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Native American Students Invited to Compete for Three Dreamcatcher $10,000 Scholarships

Native American undergraduate and graduate students who are from or studying in Nebraska, Iowa, South Dakota and Kansas are invited to pitch their entrepreneurial dream, journey, or business idea....

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The Federal Reserve Wants to Hear from You!

The Federal Reserve’s CDFI Survey aims to understand current challenges and opportunities for CDFIs nationwide....

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NOTICE OF FUNDING AVAILABILITY! Native Community Development Financial Relending Demonstration Program

The NCDFI Relending Demonstration Program is designed to increase homeownership opportunities for Native American Tribes, Alaska Native Communities, and Native Hawaiian Communities in rural areas....

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Tribal Business News reports on HUD Section 4 Program that “has bypassed Indian Country”

In a recent letter written by the Native CDFI Network, National American Indian Housing Council, and the Sovereign Council of Hawaiian Homestead Associations, the three Native non-profits ask Congress for a boost in total funding to $50 million in the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Section 4 program, along with a 10%...

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Bank of America “Driving Impact” Webinar – April 20, 2023

The Bank of America Charitable Foundation’s Driving Impact Webinar Series gives non-profit leaders the power to drive impact in the community by connecting them to tools, resources, and expertise, and focusing on topics such as leadership development, non-profit sustainability, industry trends and innovative approaches to economic mobility....

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An Update from the CDFI Fund on the 2023 ACR Reporting Round

The Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI Fund) has released updated information for Certified Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) regarding the 2023 reporting round for the Annual Certification and Data Collection Report (ACR)....

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CDFI Fund Requests Public Comment on CDFI Program and NACA Program Applications

The Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI Fund), U.S. Department of the Treasury, is soliciting comments on the Community Development Financial Institutions Program (CDFI Program) and the Native American CDFI Assistance Program (NACA Program) Financial Assistance (FA) and Technical Assistance (TA) Applications for the fiscal years (FYs) 2023-2025 funding rounds....

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NACDC Financial Services, Inc. Seeking Project Director for EDA Build Back Better Project

NACDCFS is a member of the Mountain | Plains Regional Native CDFI Coalition and recipient of funding from the US Economic Development Administration (EDA) Build Back Better Regional Challenge to support the innovation ecosystem of the region’s Indigenous Finance Industry. NACDC Financial Services is recruiting a Project Director to oversee...

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The CDFI Fund Announces $194 Million in Financial Assistance Awards

The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI Fund) awarded 252 Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) $194.1 million in Financial Assistance (FA) awards today....

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Messages from the CDFI Fund Director: A Farewell Resignation Notice plus Charting CDFI Certification and Program Funding in 2023

Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI Fund) Director Jodie Harris released a message yesterday regarding the CDFI Fund's plans for 2023....

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A Virtual Public Meeting of the CDFI Fund’s Advisory Board will be Held on February 28, 2023

The Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI Fund) is convening a meeting of the Community Development Advisory Board (the Advisory Board) from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday, February 28, 2023....

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Asset Building in Native American Communities – Webinar 

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) is hosting a webinar on Tuesday, February 28, 2023 from 2:00 to 3:30 PM ET focused on saving and other asset building strategies in North and South Dakota Native American communities....

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Free Financial Coaching Available to Native Families

Oklahoma Native Assets Coalition, Inc. (ONAC) has been offering three types of free financial coaching to tribal citizens across the United States: 1) credit counseling, 2) homebuyer education, and 3) financial management (i.e. budgeting)....

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Additional Time Needed for CDFI Fund to Consider Robust Response to Recent Application Revisions

The Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI Fund) will update its timeline for rolling out the new CDFI Certification Application and anticipates revising the version that was released for public comment in the Federal Register on November 4, 2022....

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Call for Proposals: CDFA Minority Loan Guarantee Program

The CDFA Minority Capital Loan Guarantee Program aims to increase access to capital for businesses in communities that have been historically excluded from opportunity....

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Oweesta Corporation and Wells Fargo Announce a $1.5 Million Matching Equity Grant for Native CDFIs

Oweesta Corporation announced a continued collaboration with the Wells Fargo Foundation to provide seed funding and capacity building opportunities for emerging or small Native Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) through a two-year, $1.5 million grant....

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Wells Fargo Announces $20 Million “Invest Native” Initiative

Wells Fargo announces a $20 million commitment to advance economic opportunities in Native American communities working with Native-led organizations....

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Financial Resources Webinar – Tribal Housing Development: Planning for 2023 and Beyond

Join Enterprise’s Tribal Nations and Rural team for this valuable inventory of available resources. This webinar will include an approach to partnership, updates on current opportunities with Enterprise, and federal policy updates....

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NMTC Program Native Initiative Technical Workshops (Round Two)

Native Community Development Entities (CDEs), Native Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), sponsors of Native-owned projects, and other tribal entities are invited to attend the second New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) Technical Workshop as part of the CDFI Fund’s NMTC Native Initiative....

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Public Comment Period Extended for Annual Certification and Data Collection Report and Abbreviated Transaction Level Report

The U.S. Treasury Department is extending the deadline to submit comments in response to its solicitation for public feedback on revisions to the Annual Certification and Data Collection Report (ACR), and abbreviated Transaction Level Report (TLR). The new deadline to submit comments is now January 27, 2023....

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Federal Housing Finance Agency’s FHLBank System at 100: Focusing on the Future Initiative

On August 31, the Federal Housing Finance Agency announced the FHLBank System at 100: Focusing on the Future initiative. The initiative looks to ensure that as the Federal Home Loan Bank System approaches its centennial, it continues to be well positioned to meet the needs of our members and the communities they...

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Native FORGE kicks-off first entrepreneurial cohort in partnership with San Carlos Apache Tribe

Small business incubator Native FORGE has launched its first cohort in partnership with the San Carlos Apache Tribe of Arizona. An initiative of the University of Arizona, Native FORGE focuses on serving the specific needs of Native entrepreneurs in the state. For each year-long cohort, the incubator will target its...

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Treasury Announces $5 Billion in New Markets Tax Credit Awards to Revitalize Low-Income and Distressed Communities

Baltimore, MD – Treasurer of the United States Chief Lynn Malerba, joined by U.S. Senators Benjamin L. Cardin and Chris Van Hollen, U.S. Representative Kweisi Mfume, and Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI Fund) Director Jodie Harris, today announced more than $5 billion in New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) awards nationwide....

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NAAF FINPACK+ Training Application Deadline Approaching!

The Native American Agriculture Fund (NAAF) FINPACK+ Training application deadline is approaching! The training will take place November 15-17 in St. Paul, MN....

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CDFI Fund Announces FY 2022 CDFI Program and NACA Program Technical Assistance Awards

The CDFI Fund announced that 218 organizations received $27.57 million in Technical Assistance awards to build their capacity to provide services to low-income and underserved people and communities across America. NCN has been awarded $150,000 from the NACA Program for Technical Assistance....

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Oweesta Corporation’s Chrystel Cornelius Receives Heinz Award

Chrystel Cornelius, President and CEO of Oweesta Corporation, received the Heinz Award for the Economy for her work addressing centuries of disenfranchisement that have led to profound socioeconomic disparities for Native communities....

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Help improve what’s known about Native small businesses: Survey is now open!

Help us learn more about the successes and challenges Native business owners faced this past year by filling out the Federal Reserve's 2022 Small Business Credit Survey....

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President Biden Has Proclaimed September 18-24, 2022 as Minority Enterprise Development Week!

Minority Enterprise Development Week (September 18-24) is a great opportunity to celebrate the variety of ways that Native CDFIs support minority entrepreneurs and work to reduce the racial wealth gap....

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Deadline to Submit FY 2022 CDFI ERP Application is this Thursday, September 22!

As a reminder for fiscal year (FY) 2022 CDFI Equitable Recovery Program (CDFI ERP) Applicants, the deadline for online submission of the Application through the CDFI Fund's Awards Management Information System (AMIS) is September 22, 2022 at 11:59 P.M. ET....

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The U.S. Government Accountability Office offers recommendations for economic development assistance in Native communities

The U.S. GAO has released its report on Indian economic development that includes, among other objectives, the examination of economic development programs available to tribal entities....

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Plains Regional Native CDFI Coalition Among 21 Winners of $1 Billion Build Back Better Regional Challenge

Funded by President Biden's American Rescue Plan and administered by the U.S. Commerce Department's Economic Development Administration (EDA), the Regional Challenge provides each award winner funding to rebuild regional economies, promote inclusive and equitable recovery...

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Montana Native Growth Fund: Open Position

Island Mountain Community Development Financial Institution, doing business as Montana Native Growth Fund (MNGF) is an emerging Native CDFI, a separate entity with its own Board of Directors, mission and vision. The mission of Montana Native Growth Fund is to create economic opportunity...

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Breaking News: U.S. Department of the Treasury Extended the Deadline to Initiate and Submit SSBCI Capital Program Application

The U.S. Department of the Treasury is extending the deadline for Tribal Governments to initiate and submit their complete SSBCI Capital Program application to October 31, 2022, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET)....

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Apply for NeighborWorks Achieving Excellence Program

The NeighborWorks Achieving Excellence Program, conducted in collaboration with Harvard University, is now accepting applications through September 16, 2022 for the 11th cohort, starting in early 2023. Fifty high-performing CEOs and senior leaders of community-serving organizations across the country will have the opportunity to transform their organization for greater impact and address their...

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Schatz Releases Resource Guide on Largest Investment in Climate Adaptation, Clean Energy for Native Communities in History

U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs released a resource guide on provisions supporting Tribes and Native communities in the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA), which President Biden signed into law on August 16, 2022. More than $720 million in direct climate resilience and energy funding will be available...

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CDFI Fund Extends Application for CDFI Equitable Recovery Program Funding

NCN hosted an information session on Monday, June 27th for Native CDFIs to help answer any questions about the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) updated Community Advantage program, Jackson Brossy, SBA Assistant Administrator for Native American Affairs, and Veronica Pugin, SBA Senior Advisor Office of Capital Access shared information about the...

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