Network Launches to Boost State CDFI Advocacy
The new national organization will unite statewide coalitions representing community development financial institutions.
Updated on Nov. 1, 2026 in Philanthropy
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The Network of State CDFI Coalitions has launched as a national organization to strengthen advocacy and state policy for community development financial institutions. The Kresge Foundation is providing founding support for the Network.
Why it matters
The Network was formed to help CDFIs secure stronger state policies, attract additional capital, and expand lending in underserved communities. It builds on informal collaboration that began in 2023 and will work alongside existing national organizations rather than duplicate their efforts.
Nearly 1,400 Treasury-certified CDFIs operate nationwide, and Opportunity Finance Network members have provided more than $136 billion in financing through 2024, supporting nearly 3.8 million jobs and nearly 3 million housing units. The informal collaboration that preceded the Network has included 13 quarterly webinars and assistance to more than 15 emerging state coalitions.
The players
Kresge Foundation
The Kresge Foundation is a private philanthropic organization that is providing founding support for the Network.
Opportunity Finance Network
The Opportunity Finance Network is a national organization of community development financial institutions whose members have provided more than $136 billion in financing.
The details
The Network brings together statewide organizations representing CDFIs to coordinate advocacy and share resources. Sens. Mark Warner (D-VA) and Mike Crapo (R-ID) have expressed bipartisan support, and the informal collaboration has presented to the Congressional CDFI Caucus.
Timeline
2023: Informal collaboration among state CDFI coalitions began.
Through 2024: Opportunity Finance Network members' cumulative financing totals were reported.
2027: The Network plans to launch its website.
Market Landscape
The Network joins the Opportunity Finance Network as a national voice for CDFIs, with the explicit aim of working alongside it rather than duplicating its efforts. Its state-level focus fills a gap between national advocacy and the individual institutions that depend on state policy decisions.
For residents in underserved communities across the United States, stronger state CDFI advocacy could eventually expand access to loans for housing and small businesses. The Network's near-term outputs are planned resources and a report rather than immediate changes to lending.
The takeaway
Statewide coalitions are becoming a coordinated channel for CDFI policy, and tracking the Network's 2027 outputs will show whether that coordination translates into stronger state support. Readers interested in community lending can follow how these coalitions develop their advocacy agendas.
What happens next
The Network plans to launch its website in 2027, along with advocacy and coalition-building toolkits and a report examining state CDFI coalitions.
Further reading
Explore more coverage in Philanthropy for context on how foundations support community lending.
Source note: This article includes information reported by CUToday.
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