Regional Meetings
Overview
Regional Meetings are one-day meetings offering OFN members, other CDFIs, partners, and other industry stakeholders across the country opportunities for peer exchange and training to improve their effectiveness in increasing access to responsible financial products and services among low-income and low-wealth communities.
Training Opportunities
To further support CDFI practitioners in their work, OFN offers in-person training adjacent to Regional Meetings. Interested participants can either register solely for the training or add-on an OFN training when registering for a Regional Meeting. Visit OFN’s training page to learn more.
2024 OFN Regional Meetings
Southeast – Jackson, MS | February 1, 2024
Location: Craig H. Neilsen Auditorium, Museum of Mississippi History & Museum of Mississippi Civil Rights
222 North St. #2205, Jackson, MS 39201
Training opportunities on January 31 and February 2. To learn more, visit OFN’s training page.
Registration is now closed.
West – Portland, OR | March 4, 2024
Location: EcoTrust
721 NW 9th Ave. Suite 200, Portland, OR 97209
Training opportunities on March 5 and March 6. To learn more, visit OFN’s training page.
Registration is now closed.
Featured Archive
Check out Regional Meeting highlights from recent years.
- 2023
- 2022
- 2019
Northeast – Boston, MA – August 2023
OFN’s last regional meeting of 2023 focused on health, racial, and climate justice, and built anticipation for the annual conference
Midwest – Minneapolis, MN – July 2023
The event featured a panel on Native CDFI lending insights, best practices, and policy considerations with OFN’s senior vice president of research, Adrienne Smith. In addition, OFN delivered training on CDFI 101 and financial management and visited several CDFIs to see their impact on the ground.
Southwest – Phoenix, AZ – April 2023
During OFN’s Southwest Regional Meeting, more than 80 CDFI practitioners representing diverse communities across the region and bank and philanthropic partners discussed industry challenges, opportunities, and best practices. Top issues raised by CDFIs included recruiting new talent,
Southeast – Atlanta, GA – February 2023
During OFN’s Southwest Regional Meeting, more than 80 CDFI practitioners representing diverse communities across the region and bank and philanthropic partners discussed industry challenges, opportunities, and best practices. Top issues raised by CDFIs included recruiting new talent,
West – Oakland, CA – July 2022
Held at The Overlook at the Port Workspaces, this convening was our last in-person regional meeting of the year, following our Midwest and Southeast Regional Meetings. OFN members networked with fellow CDFIs, learned updates about existing and proposed public policies as well as OFN research, and weighed in on CDFI growth strategies.
Midwest – Chicago, IL – June 2022
With more than 70 participants representing CDFIs, government agencies, investors and funders, and other partner organizations, the meeting opened with Calvin Holmes, president of OFN member Chicago Community Loan Fund (CCLF), introducing CCLF client Tracy Powell, co-founder of Momentum coffee and Blue Lacuna with his wife Nikki Bravo.
Southeast – Berea, KY – June 2022
Held at the historic Boone Tavern Hotel in Berea, KY, this convening was our first in-person regional meeting since 2019. From opportunities to engage with peers both new and old, to an insightful panel discussion featuring Under Secretary for USDA Rural Development Xochitl Torres Small, the meeting offered attendees valuable time and space to learn, connect, and collaborate.
New England – Manchester, NH – September 2019
OFN’s New England Regional Meeting took place on September 12 in Manchester, New Hampshire. The meeting was attended by approximately 60 people representing CDFIs, government agencies, and other partner organizations.
Northwest – Missoula, MT – July 2019
OFN’s Northwest Regional Meeting took place on Tuesday, July 23, in beautiful Missoula, Montana. CDFIs engaged in a productive day of learning and networking at the Residence Inn in downtown Missoula.
West – Los Angeles – July 2019
The OFN team headed to the West Coast to visit member CDFIs and host the West Regional Meeting.
The team began their trip on June 26 with a visit to OFN member Genesis LA. Led by President and CEO Tom De Simone, the Genesis LA team shared the impactful work they are doing to build and restore community facilities, housing, and small businesses in underserved Los Angeles neighborhoods.
Midwest – Chicago, IL – June 2019
