Operationalizing Racial Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility into CDFI Lending Practices
CDFIs exist to fill market gaps: their purpose is to provide fair, responsible financing to communities that mainstream finance does not traditionally reach. To achieve this purpose, CDFIs have to integrate their principles with their lending policies to ensure their practices are not re-creating or perpetuating the systemic barriers that have historically prevented communities of color and other under-resourced communities from accessing the credit they need to build wealth and achieve financial stability. During our closing plenary, hear from CDFI leaders on how they have operationalized racial equity and inclusion into their lending operations to more intentionally and effectively serve their communities. You’ll also get a preview of a new OFN toolkit, which will provide CDFI practitioners with best practices and guidance on how to build racial equity, inclusion, and accessibility into their own lending operations.