Virginia CDFI Coalition

November is National Entrepreneurship Month! CDFIs support entrepreneurs by financing community businesses—including small businesses, micro-enterprises, nonprofit organizations, and more—sparking job growth and retention in the communities that need it most. Virginia CDFIs provide capital for 800+ businesses annually! Are you an entrepreneur in need of support with your small business? Check out our list of Virginia CDFIs to find one that fits your needs! https://lnkd.in/e-enjWH #NationalEntrepreneurshipMonth #CDFIs #smallbusinesses

?? A big shoutout to America's entrepreneurs on #NationalEntrepreneursDay! #DidYouKnow? There 34 million small businesses that power America's economy. The Virginia SBDC Network offers no - cost business advising, training, mentoring, contracting assistance and other resources to help entrepreneurs start and grow businesses. Learn more: https://loom.ly/oaGpEPY

Small businesses put three times the amount of sales back into the communities they live and work in compared to larger franchises. When compared to?online business, that number increases to 50%. Small businesses often donate to local charities, sports teams, and other causes. The local Mom and Pop shops are the true backbones of local economies in many ways. Without local businesses, a town would just be a neighborhood.? Love your community. Shop small and local all year long. Shop Small Saturday is November 30!

Welcome to a special edition of our #SmallBusinessSpotlight! In the coming weeks, we'll be highlighting local Hispanic/Latino-owned business that received support through LISC Virginia's partnership with the Virginia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and Altria! Claudia Urrea and her husband Juan, originally from Colombia, started their business, My Empanada, with just an oven, a mixer, and a vision to bring authentic, handmade empanadas to Virginia. They rented a kitchen, made each empanada by hand, and quickly gained popularity at local farmers markets. Despite their success, they faced the challenge of keeping up with demand—a testament to the growing love for their product! ?? Read more about My Empanada, and LISC Virginia's work with the VHCC and Altria here: https://lnkd.in/ecSmJYjz Connect with My Empanada here: https://myempanadava.com/

In response to the November 6, 2024 election results, the Virginia CDFI Coalition has issued the following statement: The Virginia CDFI Coalition acknowledges the critical importance of the recent national election outcomes and the potential impacts of these results on our most vulnerable communities. With the impending change in leadership and policy direction, the Coalition affirms its commitment to providing financial resources, technical support, and advocacy to our members serving those who have been left out of the financial mainstream. As a voice for these communities, we will continue amplifying stories of success and resilience and educating the public on the powerful impact that CDFIs have made across Virginia. The Virginia CDFI Coalition has always prioritized collaborating with elected officials to create and defend the policies that allow us to provide assistance to those who need it most. That collaboration has led to inspiring bi-partisan support at both the state and federal levels. With a new federal administration, we will use these successes to continue developing and building new relationships, recognizing that we can not let our momentum falter. We must continue taking bold action to address challenges and ensure that no community is left behind. Since 2021, the Virginia CDFI Coalition and its member organizations have provided millions of dollars of support to communities across the Commonwealth. This support has enabled thousands of individuals and their small businesses to achieve success and financial stability despite the barriers they were faced with. We have seen how access to affordable capital and resources can support lasting economic growth for all communities. Together, we will strengthen our network of passionate, dedicated organizations to continue to see the growth of CDFIs and their crucial impact in Virginia. On behalf of our membership, we will continue working with public officials and offices to address the needs of our member organizations and their communities, positioning them to keep making the impacts Virginia needs. Now is a crucial time to do what CDFIs do best: uplift each other and our communities in need as we continue to work toward a more equitable Virginia where financial success and economic opportunity become a reality for all. Sincerely, Virginia CDFI Coalition Leadership Leah Fremouw Donna Gambrell Stephen Davis Laura Dupuy Matthew Bruning Chris Cain Jane Ferrara Amanda Habansky, CUDE Kelly Harris-Braxton Jaret Ings, MBA, CTP Andrea Longton, CFA Dave Prosser Karlene Sinclair-Robinson Shauna Yeldell Bria Marie Hodge You can find the full statement here: https://lnkd.in/dAWcM6f2

November 11-15 is National Veterans Small Business Week! According to Forbes, over 1.9 million of small businesses are owned by veterans. This means that today nearly 1 in 10 small businesses are veteran-owned, contributing over $1 trillion in annual receipts and employing almost 5.5 million people nationwide. This week we celebrate the essential role veterans continue to play in advancing our economy and to ensure their voices and challenges are heard. Our CDFI members are proud to support veteran small business owners with accessible financing and technical assistance. Learn more about the history of the SBA's veterans small business week here: https://lnkd.in/eHgke_QS #VetBizCommunities

Important announcement for those impacted by recent hurricanes!

Congrats to Bridging Virginia!

Our communities only thrive if we support local business. ?? Mark your calendar: Small Business Saturday is November 30! #ShopSmall ??? and support the small businesses in your community. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/egEBvkr

In 2015, Capital Impact Partners established the Co-op Innovation Award to assist cooperatives in transforming communities living with low incomes into strong and vibrant areas of opportunity across the country. As we celebrate 10 years of impact, we are proud to recognize the support we’ve provided to 30 co-op innovators. We have distributed more than $1 million in grants, which the awardees have successfully leveraged to secure more than $13 million in additional funding from foundations, investors, and government agencies. Learn more about the Co-op Innovation Award here: https://bit.ly/4edJl69