Oklahoma CDFI Helps Native American Entrepreneurs and Tribal Members Achieve Financial Independence

Roland Kamara, Membership Associate, Opportunity Finance Network

OFN member Citizen Potawatomi Community Development Corporation deepens investment in Native-owned small businesses with support from the State Small Business Credit Initiative.

Read time: 1 minute

National Native American Heritage Month celebrates the rich culture and enduring traditions of Native communities while amplifying their stories and the challenges they continue to face. This November, we shine a spotlight on one of OFN’s Native CDFI members, Citizen Potawatomi Community Development Corporation (CPCDC) and CEO Cindy Logsdon.

For over 20 years, CPCDC has been a beacon of opportunity, empowering members of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation Tribal Community and other underserved Native populations. Through innovative practices and a deep commitment to their mission, CPCDC has guided countless individuals in achieving financial independence, capacity building, and economic growth.

Since joining CPCDC in 2004, Logsdon has been instrumental in driving transformative change. Her leadership has not only introduced programs like the Citizen Potawatomi Asset Builders IDA program but has also resulted in more than $40 million in loans to Native American entrepreneurs. Logsdon’s vision has helped strengthen her community and create opportunities where they’re needed most.

Hear from Logsdon about CPCDC, her “why,” and more:

What’s your “why” for working in the community development space, and how did you end up at CPCDC?

This work chose me. I had a 15-year career in banking when I left to work for the Citizen Potawatomi Nation (CPN) in the accounting department. I wasn’t there long before I knew I did not enjoy that type of work. A couple of months into this, the former Native CDFI executive director approached me and said she had a job opening and heard I had banking experience. She asked if I was interested in the job, and would I bring her my resume. I quickly started googling what a CDFI is, and the rest is history and it’s been a wild 21-year ride. I love what I do and the people we serve.

How would you describe CPCDC to someone new to community development?

We are a small business lender to all Native Americans living in the state of Oklahoma and lend to tribal members nationwide.

What is one unique aspect about CPCDC?

We have achieved scale and have been totally self-sufficient for the past five years. Don’t eat the seed corn.

Learn more about how CPCDC is planting seeds for the future in this video about their tribal tradition.

What’s the biggest opportunity to create greater impact that CPCDC is considering?

CPN gave CPCDC its State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) allocation where we will be able to deepen the investment into our target market.

The SSBCI is a nearly $10 billion program to support small businesses and entrepreneurship in communities across the United States by providing capital and technical assistance to promote small business stability, growth, and success.

What is a challenge facing the CDFI industry right now, and how can the industry rise to meet that challenge?

There is more need in this sector than funding. Continue to advocate for a higher allocation budget from the CDFI Fund.

Native Americans in the United States face significant challenges in employment, access to quality healthcare, education opportunities, and accessing banking and capital.

In one word or phrase, describe your organization’s relationship with OFN.

Mighty, strength in numbers.

Stay up to date with CPCDC on their website, LinkedIn, and X (Twitter)

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Tags: CDFI Connect, Member Highlight, Native CDFIs, Small Business