Opportunity Finance Network

06/24/2026

We're thrilled to announce the winner of OFN's first-ever CDFI Capital Solutions Accelerator Pitch Competition: Northern Initiatives.

After six months of research, testing, and refinement—and a final pitch in Austin at OFN's Small Business Finance Forum—Northern Initiatives took home the top honor for their innovative approach to expanding capital access for CDFIs and the small businesses they serve.

Congratulations to all three finalists and to all seven Accelerator participants. We're proud to support solutions that help CDFIs do more for their communities.

06/17/2026

OFN has released a new CDFI Research Update, covering 2020-2024, on how CDFI loan funds raised capital and managed changes.

Across member loan funds, capital grew 45% over the five years. But strategies and opportunities to access capital differed depending on CDFIs’ geography, borrowers served, and size. And in 2024, borrowing costs rose and loan terms got shorter.

Read the full report here: https://www.ofn.org/cdfi-research-update-member-capitalization-patterns-and-trends-2020-2024/

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06/15/2026

06/11/2026

Capital, coaching, and local expertise. That is the CDFI model—and the Veteran Loan Fund is proof.

In 2014, a $4.2 million grant seeded a collaboration between three CDFIs serving veteran entrepreneurs. That grew into a coalition of 14 CDFIs that has now deployed more than $100 million to over 1,350 Veteran and Military-Spouse entrepreneurs, supporting 7,500 jobs across the country.

$4.2 million became $100 million. Three CDFIs became fourteen. That is what this field builds when it builds with intention. Proud to have the Veteran Loan Fund represented at this week.

06/08/2026

In May alone, small businesses added 67,000 jobs to the U.S. economy. That performance reflects a sector doing significant economic work, often without the same access to conventional capital.

In 2024, our members funded 222,944 small businesses and microenterprises, helping create or retain 393,970 jobs. For this support to work, they need strong partnerships—between CDFIS and mainstream financial institutions, our network and policymakers, and CDFIs and small business owners. This collaboration allows everyone to flourish, most importantly, our country’s entrepreneurs.

This week, we’ll come together in Austin at our Small Business Finance Forum to discuss how CDFIs support these small businesses and what is coming down the pipeline in our industry. https://www.ofn.org/blog/register-for-ofns-2026-small-business-finance-forum-in-austin-tx/

06/03/2026

Thank you to U.S. Representative Young Kim for standing with the CDFI field. CDFIs power small businesses, affordable housing, and Main Street economies across the country—and the CDFI Fund continues to earn bipartisan support in Congress because of the results it delivers. OFN was proud to help organize this visit and show Rep. Kim the direct impact the CDFI Fund is having in her district.