Building Capacity of CDFIs to Support Entrepreneurs of Color

About

Small business is experiencing a vanguard moment in its role to build wealth and close the racial and gender wealth gaps. CDFIs are gaining recognition as a tool to effectively support America’s small businesses and address access to capital and technical assistance for entrepreneurs of color. Many advocates rightly called on the federal government to include specific funding for CDFIs in its second pandemic response package. And, a number of funds as well as policies are poised to increase CDFI investments to address inadequacies and inequities in the small business ecosystem and help Main Street thrive. With increased funding and recognition, however, CDFIs will need to continue to build their capacity to increase ability and agility to address the substantial need for critical services in underserved communities. Asset Funders Network, hosted by Greater New York Asset Funders Network, will hold two programs to examine the practices (March 10th) and federal and local policies (March 29th) that help CDFIs build capacity and support entrepreneurs of color.

Please join Asset Funders Network for first session on Building Capacity of CDFIs to Support Entrepreneurs of Color. Speakers will share proven on-the-ground strategies, key learnings, and best practices to build capacity for CDFIs.

What will you learn?

• What specific role does your organization play in providing access to capital to minority business owners
• How do we build capacity to take advantage of public dollars to improve and scale CDFI lending? Is it new products, capacity, marketing, demand generation
• What do CDFIs need most from philanthropic support/supporters
• What innovations and investments might we learn from to make our CDFI investments more impactful
• Are there emerging best practices and expected obstacles for CDFIs to address capital needs and TA for entrepreneurs of color
• What is the criteria for best practices and community impact

Who should attend?

All interested funders. What to expect: presentation followed by Q&A.

Speakers

• Aisha Benson, Executive Vice President, TruFund
• Patrick Davis, SVP of Strategy, Community Reinvestment Fund
• Jeanique Druses, Vice President in Global Philanthropy, JPMorgan Chase & Co.
• Steve Hall, Vice President, Local Initiatives Support Corporation
• Jessie Lee, Managing Director, Renaissance Economic Development Corporation
• Victor Salama, Executive Director, Greater Newark Enterprises Corporation

How do I sign up?

Registration is required by March 9th.

Members and Non-Member Funders: Please click on the "Register Now" link above. Webinar information will be emailed to you before the webinar.

Please note: To ensure fairness among our members, we reserve the right to limit the number of attendees per organization for select professional development programs.

Please email register@philanthropynewyork.org with any questions.