Opportunity Finance Network – MacArthur Foundation

$150,000

2018 • 1 year • Impact Investments

The Opportunity Finance Network is a non-profit industry association serving the U.S. field of Community Development Financial Institutions. As a nationwide organization, they serve as the key convener and policy voice for organizations addressing inequities in underserved urban, rural, and Native communities. The proposed grant supports OFN’s annual conference to be held in the fall of 2018 in Chicago, IL. For more than 30 years, OFN has held an annual conference to support peer exchange, collaboration and training to develop and reinforce best practices, build capacity, and strengthen the field of community development finance. It is the largest convening focused on the CDFI field, and brings together practitioners, investors and policy advocates focused on ways to support additional credit and investment in geographic areas and sectors that are not being met by the traditional commercial lending and investing markets.

$200,000

2016 • 1 year 5 months • Impact Investments

Opportunity Finance Network  is the national network of Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) investing in low-income, low-wealth, and other disinvested communities in the U.S. Its members include community development banks, credit unions, loan funds, and venture capital funds operating in urban, rural, and Native communities. These organizations also spur economic growth and job creation and build stronger and healthier individuals, families, and neighborhoods. Each year, the Opportunity Finance Network presents the NEXT Awards, a competitive program created in 2007, to increase the number of high-impact, top-performing CDFIs. The Foundation has supported this effort since inception providing a $30 million PRI. As part of the tenth anniversary of the NEXT Awards, OFN is creating two videos that highlight the impact and innovation of 13 CDFIs supported through this groundbreaking program. They also describe ways in which investing in CDFIs allows for social impact with a financial return.

$250,000

2008 • 1 year

In support of the project, The NEXT American Opportunity: Good Policies for a Great America.

$635,000

2004 • 3 years • Policy Research

In support of general operations (over three years).

$250,000

2003 • 1 year • Policy Research

In support of the Community Development Financial Institutions Data Project.

$500,000

2002 • 2 years • Impact Investments

In support of general operations (over two years).

$300,000

1999 • 2 years

In support of general operations (over two years).

$100,000

1997 • 1 year

To increase the capacity of the community development financial intermediary industry.

$25,000

1996 • 1 year

To support an annual training program for members.