CDFI Fund empowers credit unions to deepen community impact

Lawmakers need to know how profoundly the Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) Fund affects communities in their states. Sharing CDFI credit union stories is one of the best ways to illustrate that impact.  

UP Arkansas Federal Credit Union is a CDFI credit union that has expanded their services with the help of the fund’s grants. President/CEO Karyn Davis highlights how the CDFI certification has allowed them to provide low-income communities with low-cost loan programs, digital services, and other products aimed at helping those who need them most.  

Sharing stories like this is essential to ensure lawmakers understand the impact of CDFI credit unions and the CDFI Fund on Main Street businesses, first-time homeowners, and low-income communities.

Advocacy outreach   to protect and improve the CDFI Fund is ongoing. In the past year, America’s Credit Unions sent more than 20 letters to lawmakers and regulators, held two key meetings with the Treasury Department on the topic of CDFIs, worked with leagues and credit unions to hold  legislative meetings sharing CDFI credit union stories and data, and published over 45 news stories about CDFIs and the CDFI Fund.