Native CDFI Network

10/09/2026

Rudy Soto will join us our 7th Annual Policy & Capacity Building Summit for an important conversation on the future of Native housing and the opportunities to bring more resources to the table to address housing needs across Indian Country.

Together, we’ll also look at how the Native housing and Native CDFI industries can strengthen their partnership to advance solutions at the scale Native communities need.

Learn more and register now!
https://nativecdfi.net/7th-annual-policy-capacity-building-summit/

10/07/2026

NCN congratulates six Native CDFIs for deploying funds through the USDA Section 502 Relending Demonstration Program!

This program demonstrates the important role Native CDFIs can play in connecting Native families with affordable home financing and helping federal resources reach communities where they can make a meaningful impact.

The six Native CDFIs receiving the USDA Section 502 funding are as follows:

· Chehalis Tribal Loan Fund in Washington received $1.3 million to help seven households purchase homes.
· Haa Yakaawu in Alaska received $1.3 million to help eight households purchase homes.
· Lakota Funds in South Dakota received $1.3 million to help eight households purchase homes.
· Lake Superior CDC in Michigan received $800,000 to help seven households purchase homes.
· Nimiipuu Community Development Fund in Idaho received $803,000 to help 13 households purchase homes.
· San Carlos Apache Tribe Relending Program in Arizona received $673,470 to help 25 households repair their homes.

We’re proud to recognize these Native CDFIs and the work they are doing to expand pathways to homeownership and strengthen Native communities.

NCN congratulates the six Native CDFIs who recently received a total of $6.18 million in USDA Section 502 Relending Demonstration Program funds.

10/02/2026

We’re excited to welcome Krystal Langholz, Head of Impact and Innovation at Calvert Impact, to NCN’s 7th Annual Policy & Capacity Building Summit!

Krystal will join us for an important conversation on the “missing middle” of CDFI capitalization and the need for equity-style, long-term, patient capital to help CDFIs grow and scale.

Krystal will help explore how new approaches to capital could strengthen Native CDFIs and expand their ability to invest in the communities they serve.

Register now: https://nativecdfi.net/7th-annual-policy-capacity-building-summit/

09/30/2026

The CDFI Fund is seeking public comment on proposed changes to the CDFI Certification Application, related tools, and policies following its review of nearly 1,400 applications under the revised certification requirements introduced in 2023.

The proposed updates address several areas of the Certification process, including Target Market eligibility, application timing and availability, eligibility requirements, application questions and attachments, and ways to streamline and improve the overall application experience.

📣 Native CDFIs are encouraged to review the proposed changes and consider submitting comments.

Review the CDFI Fund announcement and proposed changes: https://www.cdfifund.gov/news/742

09/24/2026

During today's NCN Live webinar, NCN CEO Pete Upton and Policy Lead Ian Record will walk Native CDFI leaders and staff and other Indian Country stakeholders through the specific provisions of the Community Reinvestment Act Proposed Rule that will have the greatest adverse impacts on Indian Country and specifically Native CDFIs.

NCN also will share (1) its joint comment letter that is now available for sign-on by Native CDFIs and other concerned organizations, and (2) a template comment letter they can adapt to tell their own particular stories about how the Proposed Rule will impact the Native communities they serve.

https://loom.ly/FCU0pYQ

09/22/2026

This week, NCN CEO Pete Upton will attend the Clinton Global Initiative 2026 Annual Meeting in New York City, helping ensure Native CDFIs and Native communities are represented in conversations shaping the future of community development finance.

Pete will participate in the Impact Finance & Entrepreneurship Working Session, including “Harnessing Technology & AI as Forces for Good in Community Development Finance.”

He will bring the Native CDFI perspective to the table, highlighting how Native CDFIs expand access to capital, create economic opportunity, and strengthen Native communities.

Attending CGI? Connect with Pete. Let’s build new partnerships, share the Native CDFI story, and explore opportunities to bring greater investment and resources to Native communities.

Native CDFIs belong at the table—and NCN is helping ensure their voices are heard.

09/21/2026

NCN National Program Director Pamela Boivin will join partners and housing leaders for two panel conversations focused on strengthening Native housing and homeownership opportunities.

On September 23, Pamela will participate in Building Sustainable Organizations, exploring organizational capacity, access to financing, partnerships, and opportunities to build stronger and more sustainable organizations serving Native communities.

She will also join Using Coalition Voice to Influence Policy, a conversation focused on how coalition building, advocacy, Tribal consultation, data and storytelling, and relationships with decision-makers can help elevate the priorities and experiences of Native communities.

NCN looks forward to bringing the Native CDFI perspective to these conversations, learning alongside our partners, and continuing to strengthen connections between Native CDFIs, housing organizations, financial institutions, and other partners working to expand housing and homeownership opportunities in Native communities.

We look forward to connecting with everyone in Salt Lake City!

09/18/2026

This afternoon, the Native CDFI Network (NCN) learned that the CDFI Fund prematurely posted updates to the AMIS system regarding FY 2025 awards for the Native American CDFI Assistance (NACA) and other CDFI Fund programs. The Fund has issued a statement on LinkedIn that reads:

“Update on the FY 2025 CDFI Program and NACA Program award announcement — the CDFI Fund is still in the process of completing our AMIS updates to officially notify organizations of their awards. Some information was inadvertently displayed in AMIS this morning due to a technical error which has now been fixed. The official notifications will go out as soon as our internal processes are complete.”

NCN will keep our network apprised on further developments regarding this funding, and Native CDFIs awaiting FY 2025 NACA awards are encouraged to notify NCN of any updates they receive via AMIS regarding their awards.

09/18/2026

The release of the FY 2025 NACA awards marks an important moment for Native CDFIs and, most importantly, the Native communities they serve.

Getting here was a collective effort. Native CDFIs shared their stories, signed letters, contacted policymakers, showed up on Capitol Hill, and continued advocating for their communities. Our partners and supporters across Congress, Treasury, the Administration, and Indian Country stood alongside us—and every voice mattered.

This year, NCN also received a letter from President Donald J. Trump recognizing the work of NCN and Native CDFIs and expressing his Administration’s commitment to providing resources, advancing opportunity, and fostering prosperity for Native citizens.

We are grateful to everyone who helped bring these much-needed resources to their intended recipients and who continues to recognize the important role Native CDFIs play across Indian Country.

When we show up, speak together, and share the impact of this work, our voices are heard.

Read the full message: https://nativecdfi.net/blog/2026/09/18/a-collective-win-for-native-cdfis/

09/15/2026

Today, after a prolonged delay, the CDFI Fund at the U.S. Department of the Treasury announced awards for the FY 2025 Native American CDFI Assistance (NACA) Financial Assistance (FA) Program as well as several other Fund programs, including the Small Dollar Loan and Bank Enterprise Award programs.

Today’s announcement is the second and final announcement of awards for the FY 2025 application round of the NACA Program. Previously, on September 30, 2025, the CDFI Fund announced $1.95 million in FY 2025 NACA Program TA awards; those awards were funded through FY 2024 appropriations that were due to expire on September 30, 2025.

“The CDFI Fund’s programs are designed to support economic growth and prosperity for Main Street America,” said new CDFI Fund Director Chris Miller in the CDFI Fund’s press release. “The awards announced today will help small businesses expand and create jobs, help workers build credit and save for the future, and help more families achieve the American dream.”

https://www.cdfifund.gov/news/740