OFN Webinars & Virtual Forums
Overview
OFN’s webinars and online forums provide an opportunity for CDFI practitioners, partners, and other industry supporters across the country to learn and connect virtually on issues affecting community-based lenders and the unique communities they each serve.
Training Resources
OFN offers training resources and tools aimed to help CDFI practitioners and partners expand the knowledge and skills they need to achieve the greatest impact in the communities they serve. The toolkits are available for free. Visit OFN’s training page to learn more.
CONNECT+ Forum: CDFIs & Technology
January 2025 — Virtual
This year’s CONNECT+ Forum will feature conversations on the role of technology in the community development field. From generative AI to fintech partnerships, we’ll explore key trends shaping the future of CDFIs and how to turn them into opportunities for growth, equity, and agility.
Registration details below.
- Tuesday, January 14: Webinar | Beyond the Buzzwords: Building a Tech-Ready CDFI Culture
From generative AI to fintech partnerships, we’ll explore key trends shaping the future of CDFIs and how to turn them into opportunities for growth, equity, and agility.
- Wednesday, January 15: Member-Only Office Hours | Cybersecurity and Data Privacy for CDFIs
Join this exclusive session for OFN members to engage with peers on critical cybersecurity and digital privacy issues for CDFIs.
- Tuesday, January 21: Webinar | Equipped for Impact: Technology Adoption and Implementation
In this second session, we shift from strategy to execution, diving into the nuts and bolts of technology adoption and implementation.
- Wednesday, January 22: Member-Only Office Hours | Working Smarter, Not Harder: Technology Strategies for Small CDFIs
Join this OFN member-only office hour to discuss practical approaches to leveraging technology for greater efficiency and impact.
- Tuesday, January 28: Webinar | AI in Community Finance: Ethics and Opportunities
This session will provide the opportunity to step back and consider the broader context of AI and its relevance for the community development finance field.
- Wednesday, January 29: Webinar | Technology and Your Community: Bridging Divides
This final session shifts the lens outward, focusing on how CDFIs can ensure their communities are not left behind in an increasingly digital world.
Stay In the Know!
Learn more about upcoming OFN virtual training and events by checking out the CDFI Connect events calendar or subscribing to receive OFN updates delivered straight to your inbox for free!
Watch On-Demand
Missed a previous webinar or virtual forum, or want to revisit content? Check out recordings on-demand!
- 2024
- 2023
- 2022
Watch our 2024 webinars for free on YouTube.
- OFN’s CCIA Launch Plan – September 18, 2024
- CCIA 101 Webinar: Intro to OFN’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund Program – July 24, 2024
- OFN Public Policy Update and Advocacy Tools for CDFIs – July 11, 2024
- Navigating the Digital Realm: Cybersecurity and AI for CDFIs – April 24, 2024
- OFN CDFI Federal Policy Update – April 17, 2024
- CONNECT+ Forum: CDFI Capitalization – March 19, 2024
- Deep Dive into the Revised CDFI Certification Application – March 13, 2024
Watch 2024 OFN Webinars
Over the past five years, OFN has actively collaborated with our members and partners to advocate for changes that channel more resources into underinvested communities. Last month, federal bank regulators unveiled the final rule updating the CRA regulations – a significant milestone in the ongoing effort to modernize this critical civil rights legislation.
Watch this comprehensive discussion with Federal Reserve Governor Michael Barr and OFN President & CEO Harold Pettigrew on what these changes mean specifically for CDFIs. From the impact on bank lending and CDFI investments to addressing climate and resilience to enhancing CRA investments in rural and Native communities, there’s much to unpack in this new rule.
Watch Recording
CONNECT+ Webinar: Mission-Aligned Portfolio Management
There’s often much discussion around how to embed equity in loan product design and align loan originations with CDFI values and missions, but how do you continue to embed these principles once a loan closes?
During this webinar, we dive into strategies, insights, and leading practices from three CDFI practitioners on how to effectively manage your loan portfolio while staying true to your mission and values, from building processes that activate borrower’s voice to navigating the complexities that can arise during the delinquency process.
OFN thanks Capital One for supporting this webinar.
Watch Recording
CONNECT+ Webinar: The Talent Equation – Compensation, Benefits & Skill Development
Finding the right people at the right time with the right skills for your organization– and retaining them – continues to be a key priority across the industry. Watch this engaging discussion with fellow CDFI practitioners on crafting equitable compensation structures; implementing benefits that promote employee well-being; and integrating skill development opportunities to nurture talent growth.
Whether you’re seeking to fine-tune your talent strategy or redefine your approach, this webinar will equip you with insights to help master the balance of talent optimization at your organization.
OFN thanks Capital One for supporting this webinar.
Watch Recording
CONNECT+ Webinar: Designing Loan Products that Advance Racial Justice
Hear insights and lessons learned from three CDFIs on how they’ve examined their lending policies and processes to rework their definitions of creditworthiness and design loan products that advance racial justice. The webinar will also cover how to develop and utilize racial equity impact assessment tools, ways that CDFIs have centered community voices in their work, and more.
OFN thanks Citi Foundation for supporting this webinar.
Watch Recording
2023 OFN Federal Policy Update
During this webinar, OFN’s Public Policy team discuss our 2023 policy priorities including CDFI Fund appropriations, the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund and other Inflation Reduction Act programs, changes to CDFI certification and more. Read more in our blog recap!
We also share how you can engage in our advocacy efforts this year, using our tools and resources to help make your voice heard with federal policymakers.
Watch Recording
CONNECT+ Forum: CDFI Operations & Human Capital
The CONNECT+ Forum features two plenaries and six breakout sessions focused on strengthening CDFI operations and staffing. During the forum, OFN released two new toolkits and highlights a new OFN research brief that explore a range of CDFI trends from 2017 through 2021.
OFN thanks Citi Foundation, JPMorgan Chase, and Wells Fargo for supporting this forum.
Watch Recordings
CONNECT+ Webinar: 50 Years Later, Exploring the Roots of the CDFI Industry
The webinar features a panel with early CDFI leaders as well as OFN leadership on how a movement became the industry we know today. Check out OFN’s new CDFI 101 toolkit, 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.
OFN thanks Citi Foundation for supporting this webinar.
Watch Recording
“Resources for CDFI Growth” Webinar Series
Watch recordings from OFN’s “Resources for CDFI Growth” webinar series and see the complete toolkit and framework materials on CDFI Connect.
OFN thanks Capital One and Fifth Third Bank for supporting these resources.
Watch Recordings
CONNECT+ Webinars
The 2022 CONNECT+ Webinar Series include important policy issues; challenges and opportunities facing CDFIs; and CDFI best practices in business models, operations, and structures.
OFN thanks Wells Fargo for sponsoring our CONNECT+ Webinar series!
Watch Recordings