OFN CONNECT+ Webinars – 50 Years Later: Exploring the Roots of the CDFI Industry

Join us on Tuesday, February 7 from 2-3pm EST for the release of our new CDFI 101 toolkit and first CONNECT+ webinar of 2023!

In 1973, the nation’s first CDFI – ShoreBank- was founded in Chicago by Ronald Grzywinski, Milton Davis, Jim Fletcher, and Mary Houghton with the motto – and rallying cry- “Let’s Change the World.” Fifty years later, CDFIs have grown from an initial proof point in a Chicago neighborhood to an industry that is over 1,300 institutions strong and in every state. During this webinar, you’ll hear from early CDFI leaders as well as OFN leadership on how a movement became the industry we know today.

You’ll also get to check out our new CDFI 101 toolkit, which was designed to help CDFIs educate new staff and stakeholders on what CDFIs are, how they do what they do, why they exist, and an overview of the impact they’ve had. The toolkit includes a CDFI 101 guide, history of the CDFI industry, impact infographic, reading list, YouTube playlist, a brief glossary of organizations and annual industry events, and more.

This webinar was developed with support from the Citi Foundation.