Virginia CDFI Coalition

The Virginia CDFI Coalition advocates for the continued strength of the Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund. For decades, CDFIs have been a cornerstone of community reinvestment, providing financing for small businesses, affordable housing, and critical community projects that traditional financial institutions often overlook. The recent Executive Order raises concerns about the future of this essential program. However, we affirm that the CDFI Fund and its programs are rooted in statutory authority and remain crucial to community reinvestment efforts in Virginia and beyond. Virginia is home to 19 CDFIs that work every day to support local economies, create jobs, and expand economic opportunity. Nationally, CDFIs manage over $300 billion in loans, supporting millions of businesses and families while driving investment and economic growth in communities that need it most. Read more about what’s at stake here: https://ow.ly/O73050Vmcug Visit the VA CDFI Coalition Website: https://ow.ly/AEpT50Vmcuf

Attention Richmond Small Businesses! The Small Business Recovery Grant Fund is NOW OPEN for applications! If your business was financially impacted by the January water outage, you may be eligible for funding to help with recovery. Grant funding is available to cover financial losses due to service disruptions, temporary closures, and unexpected expenses. ? Applications Deadline: March 28 at 11:59 PM ?? Apply now: https://ow.ly/xjPE50Viqpl

I consider myself very lucky to work in the CDFI sector. There are ~1500 across the country and 19 here in state of Virginia. The work we do supports the people and initiatives that make a community a cool place to live, work, and play. The funds we lend create jobs, renovate buildings, build houses, and help individuals build wealth. We do this with public and private sector resources and the CDFI Fund is a major part of our capital tools. https://lnkd.in/g7fkjSNX

Exciting news! The Virginia CDFI Coalition has been awarded a $4,000 Future Community Impact Makers Grant from Atlantic Union Bank! This grant will fund a paid summer internship, fostering economic mobility and workforce development for low-to-moderate income students in the community-based sector. Huge thanks to Atlantic Union Bank for investing in our communities and the next generation of changemakers! Check out the full article and see the full list of recipients here: https://ow.ly/6uZz50VkkQW

In honor of Women's History Month, we celebrate the pioneering women who laid the foundation for CDFIs. Trailblazers like Katherine Graham Peden and Patricia Harris were instrumental in addressing financial inequities and championing access to capital in underserved communities. Their visionary leadership has been pivotal in shaping the CDFI landscape we know today. Read more about their remarkable contributions: https://ow.ly/iPZm50Vips5

We proudly celebrate Women's History Month and the 2025 theme, "Moving Forward Together: Women Educating & Inspiring Generations." This theme honors the impact of women in education, mentorship, and leadership, shaping minds and futures across generations. Through their dedication, women have broken barriers, built bridges, and transformed societies. Their guidance nurtures future leaders and change-makers, leaving a lasting legacy. Let's continue uplifting one another and moving forward together.

Are you passionate about fostering economic opportunity? Join our mission-driven team making a real impact! ?? Explore our job openings and help us shape a brighter future together. #LoveWhereYouWork https://lnkd.in/gNbhwurv

The City of Richmond Department of Economic Development (EDA), in partnership with The Metropolitan Business League, Dominion Energy, and Altria, has launched a $500,000 Small Business Recovery Grant Fund to help businesses impacted by January’s water outage. This program will provide critical financial relief to eligible small businesses that experienced hardship during the crisis. Grant applications open March 17 and close March 28 at 11:59 p.m. To assist potential applicants, the Office of Minority Business Development and the Capital Access Hub will host two virtual informational sessions on March 6 and March 12. ?? For More Details Visit: https://ow.ly/Vi0050V9Hbx ?? To Sign Up For The Info Session: https://ow.ly/3rbe50V9Hbv ?? Read Full Press Release: https://ow.ly/vRPx50V9Hbw https://ow.ly/oCuZ50V9Hbt https://lnkd.in/edv7ua3S