Category: Community Partners
-
Why should funders care about CDFI data capacity?
This piece is co-authored by CNote and PCV’s Radiant Data Hub. CNote is a fintech platform that leverages technology and data to streamline the flow of capital, providing investors confidence their capital is deployed efficiently and responsibly, in order to strengthen a financial system that funds underserved communities, having deployed more than $645 million dollars
-
The Unsung Backbone: How Community Financial Institutions Support Childcare and Adultcare Providers
By Tamra Thetford In the intricate community infrastructure web, childcare and adultcare services often operate behind the scenes, yet they are foundational to economic stability and social well-being. These services enable parents to participate in the workforce, support the aging population, and foster intergenerational connections. However, providers in these sectors frequently encounter financial hurdles that
-
Social Determinants of Health and Community Finance
By Tamra Thetford The social determinants of health (SDOH) are the non-medical factors that influence health outcomes. They include the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work, and age, and they shape overall well-being just as much—if not more—than medical care. Community Financial Institutions address the social determinants of health by investing in
-
How One Credit Union Is Helping Families Avoid Foreclosure and Stay in Their Homes
When a Crisis Hit, a Mission-Driven Financial Institution Stepped In The pandemic disrupted lives across the world—and for Christine V., it was the spark that set off a chain of challenges. She lost her job, her kids got sick, and over time, she found herself more than $33,000 behind on her mortgage payments. On the
-
Meet Carver Federal Savings Bank, The Harlem-Headquartered CDFI Offering Tailored Small Business Lending
Lloyd Doaman has dedicated his life to community development. He began his career in finance at JPMorgan Investment Management before pivoting to community development financial institutions (CDFIs), where he helped to provide access to capital and technical assistance to small businesses, nonprofits, and credit unions. Over three years ago, Lloyd had the opportunity to join
-
Small Business Spotlight: A Check-In with Cortaiga Collins
Cortaiga Collins: Redefining Community Impact When we first introduced Cortaiga Collins in 2021, she was on the verge of a major milestone: opening the doors to a new, state-of-the-art facility for her thriving childcare business, Good Shepherd Preschool and Infant/Toddler Center. At the time, her story captivated readers as she shared her journey from being
-
Great Lakes Credit Union: Filling a Banking Desert in Chicago’s Austin Neighborhood
The Austin neighborhood on Chicago’s West Side, home to nearly 100,000 residents, has long been a financial services desert. For decades, its residents were forced to rely on predatory payday lenders or travel outside their community to access basic financial services. This lack of access perpetuated cycles of poverty, leaving residents vulnerable to financial insecurity.
-
Meet Piedmont Community Services, The Behavioral Health Service Provider Taking Care of Its Community
Greg Preston always wanted to return to his hometown and give back to his community. At first, Greg worked at the local Department of Social Services. Now, 25 years later? Greg is the organizations executive director.
-
At Hope Credit Union, Climate Change Is The Deep South’s Wealth-Building Opportunity Of A Lifetime
When it comes to our shared climate reality, Hope Credit Union’s members are familiar with the ever-expanding narrative. After all, they’re living it. Across the Deep South, summers are getting hotter, power outages are becoming more common, and electric vehicles (EV) are being plugged into more and more homes. Members, however, aren’t just experiencing these
-
Meet Clean Energy Credit Union, The Member-Owned Cooperative Making It Easier For Everyone To Access Affordable Green Lending
Like the majority of people, Nicole Burford sometimes feels weighed down by the challenges presented by climate change. But as someone who’s long been passionate about environmental protection and sustainability, Nicole has found a way to keep her chin up. “When we think about what we can control as an individual,” she said, “we can