Publications

Presenters: Joyce Klein, Leslie Hoffman, and Luz Gomez, FIELD at the Aspen Institute

This session draws upon the learnings of the Underwriting and Collections Mentored Working Groups, which were part of the CDFI Fund’s Capacity Building Initiative, Scaling Up Microfinance. These groups explored strategies for advancing scale, while at the same time focusing on core principles of risk management – so that growth can be sustained. Central to this was exploring how organizations can build a robust culture of repayment within their lending process. The Underwriting Mentored Groups looked closely at the issues of scale, efficiency, technology, and team that can impact underwriting approaches in a growing program. The Collections Mentored Working Group broke down the path to loan repayment, examining ways to build strong portfolio performance from initial outreach activities and messages through post-default recovery. The group examined the role of people, process, and technology at each step along that repayment path. Join in this session to hear about these and other key learnings about how to balance growth with portfolio quality within your micro enterprise lending program.

Track: Microenterprise Finance
Level: General

Presenters: Jamie Chase, CU Strategic Planning; Helen Godfrey-Smith, Shreveport Federal Credit Union; and Cynthia Campbell, Filene Research Institute 

Credit unions with thriving CDFI programs significantly outperform their peers. The financial trends of these “star credit unions” provide insights into effective practices for emerging CDFIs and even those with established programs. Cynthia Campbell, Director of Innovation at the Filene Research Institute, is an expert on star credit unions. Filene's Thriving Credit Unions research trilogy was the foundation of CU Strategic Planning's three-year analysis of credit unions with thriving CDFI programs. Campbell will interview CU Strategic Planning Founder Jamie Chase her findings. Helen Godfrey-Smith, President & CEO of Shreveport FCU, will answer questions about Shreveport FCU's key moves and strategic plan leading to its becoming a top performer: in the three years since launching its CDFI program, Shreveport FCU's ROA, and loan and membership growth rates have been more than double its peers. Attendees will leave with actionable strategic and tactical insights to becoming a star credit union with a thriving CDFI program.

Track: Credit Union
Level: General

Presenters: Lolita Sereleas, FUND Consulting

Based on current research conducted under the Goldman Sachs10,000 Small Businesses CDFI Growth Collaborative, this session provides best practices in CDFIs' small business loan deployment strategies. Representatives of FUND Consulting will present the results of their research, including differences between regulated and non-regulated CDFIs' practices. CDFIs with strong deployment practices -- and results -- will share their secrets to success. Find out ways that your CDFI can position itself to reach more small businesses for greater community impact.

Track: Small Business
Level: Intermediate

Moderator: Jeffrey Dekro, The Isaiah Fund
Speakers: Mark Regier, Everence Financial; Wayne Meyer, New Jersey Community Capital; Liza Cowan, JPMorgan Chase; and Alan Branson, Hope Credit Union

The goal of this session is to foster a discussion about institutionalizing the role of CDFIs in disaster response. CDFIs have played important roles in large-scale disaster recovery efforts in at-risk communities, working with partners ranging from mainstream financial institutions to faith-based philanthropies. CDFIs' in-depth knowledge of local communities and markets, experience leveraging scarce resources from many different partners, and ability to provide innovative, flexible approaches to the unique needs of at-risk communities are assets that can strengthen the effectiveness of any disaster response effort. Drawing on lessons learned from two large-scale disasters, Superstorm Sandy and Hurricane Katrina, representatives from CDFIs (New Jersey Community Capital and Hope Enterprise Corporation), mainstream financial institutions (JPMorgan Chase), and faith-based investment organizations (The Isaiah Fund and Everence Financial) will share their experiences and recommendations to kick-off this important industry discussion.

Special Session: Disaster Response
Level: General

Presenters: Chasity Savage and Lisa Wagner, Oweesta

This workshop focuses on the all-important process of preparing your funding applications. We'll examine the basic building blocks of successful funding applications and provide strategies for avoiding common mistakes. You'll get tips on creating and maintaining the kind of information you'll need to complete your funding applications and learn systems to keep you organized and ready to apply for funding at any time of the year. Whether you're applying for Federal or private funds, this session provides valuable information for both.

Track: Native CDFIs
Level: General

Presenters: Jeremy Nowak, J. Nowak & Associates, Jeffrey Brown and Donna Leuchten, UpLift Solutions 

A staggering 24.6 million Americans (8% of the U.S. population) live in “food deserts,” underserved, economically distressed urban or rural areas that lack grocery stores or easy access to fresh fruits and vegetables. As a result, these communities have increased rates of obesity, diabetes, and other public health challenges. High-quality, full-service supermarkets improve the health and economic well-being of these communities. Hear from UpLift Solution and one of the leading supermarket operators on the innovative work that is being done nationally and the remaining opportunities around healthy food financing.

Track: Healthy Foods 
Level: General

Presenter: Alan Cantor, Alan Cantor Consulting LLC and Mary Beth Bunge, Alternatives Federal Credit Union

Government grants are getting smaller and the reporting requirements are getting more onerous. Competition is rising for grants from foundations and corporations. Are CDFIs missing a huge opportunity? They surely are. Over 80% of donations to nonprofits in the U.S. come from individuals. Though a CDFI is not a traditional kind of charity like a university or a museum, you too can attract gifts from individuals. Come hear from a CDFI who has successfully done just that, and learn how the rules of the fundraising game can be applied and adapted for CDFIs.

Track: Financial Resources
Level: General

Presenters: Betsy Black, Cooperative Fund of New England; Brenda Pfahnl, Northcountry Cooperative Development Fund; Margaret Lund, Co-opera Co; and Mark Fick, Chicago Community Loan Fund

For decades, cooperatives have successfully provided permanently affordable housing. More recently, communities are using cooperative models to strengthen their local economy with social enterprises and worker-owned businesses. CDFIs can play an important role in assisting these community controlled development models by financing their real estate, working capital, and equipment needs. This session starts with an overview of common cooperative structures and their economic impact in the United States. We’ll then turn to underwriting worker-owned, producer-owned, and consumer-owned businesses. Special attention will be given to retail food cooperatives, which have become a popular tool to address food security and healthy food access. You’ll come away from the session with an appreciation for this impactful business model and the issues and best practices to consider when underwriting cooperatives. You will also have the opportunity to meet local cooperative businesses and learn about their financing needs during a networking session directly following (5:30-6:15 PM).

Track: Small Business
Level: General 

Presenters: Alan Branson, Hope Credit Union; Pablo DeFilippi, National Federation of Community Development Credit Unions; and Dave Prosser, Freedom First Credit Union

In this speed-dating style session, participants will explore four different models of partnerships between community development credit unions (CDCUs) and community service providers/small businesses. Presenters will describe current programs such as on-site credit union services, credit union/non-profit joint project development, and online/mobile-based strategies. Presenters represent CDCUs from diverse markets – urban, rural, and mixed. Participants will learn how: 1) community organizations can partner with CDCUs to improve services and outcomes to clients and the community; 2) CDFI loan funds can increase the impact of loans made to community service providers and small businesses; and 3) CDCUs can use different partnership models to reach new members and serve the larger community.

Track: Collaborations
Level: General

Presenter: Adina Abramowitz, Consulting for Change

Many CDFIs have completed a succession plan for the CEO or Executive Director. Yet organizations depend on the unique knowledge and relationships of many managers. This hands-on workshop will provide you with tools to identify and resolve vulnerabilities if any of your key managers were to leave the organization. These actions will make your organization more resilient and flexible, and give junior staff opportunities to learn and grow.

Track: Organizational Capacity
Level: Introductory